Thank you so Much, to everybody. I am so glad I asked now!! You've all been really, really helpful and reassuring. I think I must be at a Uni with a disproportionate amount of 'youngsters' doing their PhDs.... and it's making me think I'm the 'unusual' one (the people I have spoken to have gone straight from Under-grad to MA to PhD where-as I most certainly haven't).

It's really good to know people have children too - and to think of actually having MORE children whilst doing the PhD - Phew!! well done guys ;)

I could really do with finding something a little higher paid, and perhaps based at home (haha - sounds perfect doesn't it!). These kind of jobs don't pay very well, especially considering the work involved. I've always worked in this kind of field though, so am unsure as what else is out there really. Will look!

Thank you all again, it's been really refreshing reading others' experiences and I'm just going to think positively now (most of the time) 8-)

Thank you so much for your reply. What you say is so reassuring. I do keep telling myself I shouldn't compare myself to others... and it's nice to hear that someone with 4 children can do a PhD!! (hats off to you!).
It's just good to share experiences I think, none of my 'friends' are doing this level of study, and like I said, the people I know at Uni are able to spend much much more time on studying than I can.
I just need to carry on, do what I can and be proud of myself if/when I do it!!! I think I just put myself under too much pressure - if I'm going to do this, I want to do it to the best of my ability. I did my MA whilst working full time, and got a distinction but I didn't have a 2 year old then!!

Thanks again for your words of wisdom, it has helped :)

Hey Guys.....

I hope this doesn't come across as a moan, but I need some reassurance, or some voices of experience!

I have just completed the first year of my PhD. I was fortunate enough to be awarded a part-time fees paid bursary.
However, I am juggling a few things as well as studying and I'm not sure if I'm doing the 'right' thing!
I have a 2.5 year old son - so nursery fees to pay. A mortgage (nothing unusual there), I work 3 days a week for a Domestic Abuse help line, which is really stressful and energy-sapping. When I'm not working, I have my little boy to entertain so studying comes in-between times, ie at night. Part of the bursary condition was to teach a module, so much of my 'spare' time is taken up with prep for the teaching.

Now then, are there any other students here in a similar situation? And how do you cope?!! I feel like I'm not spending enough time on my study - and I certainly can't get involved with 'academic life' such as organising seminars/conferences etc because I just don't have the time.

Is it ok to just keep myself to myself, get my work done and get a PhD out of it - or do you think not getting involved fully will affect my experience and chances?

I really really don't want to 'give up', but I don't want to kill myself either!

Any ideas? any ideas on how to make enough money to live but not have to work a stressful job?!

sorry for the rant, just thought I'd try to find some experienced people. Other people I've spoken to haven't got the commitments I have and so find studying much 'easier'....

Thanks for listening :)
:p

Thanks Sneaks!
I agree, I think that I am far more likely to get more funding if I am already there... and if it means struggling for a year, then it's worth it in the end.
My son is already in nursery, but it would mean increasing his hours. It's just another thing to add to the equation but these things are sent to try us!! :p

Hi Gals and Guys,
I haven't been on here for a while - what with renovating a 1930's semi, leaving work and moving in with the in-laws, I have been quite distracted! :(
Anyway, to cut a very long story short, I have been awarded a fees-paid bursary from the Uni of my choice to study part-time for my PhD. This is obviously great news, but I am unsure as to whether to accept or not, and I am wondering if anybody can either advise me, or basically empathise with my situation!
I ideally wanted to study full time, so I applied for a scholarship but was unsuccessful - they have strongly encouraged me to apply again next year, and in the meantime have offered me this bursary.
I studied for my MA part time whilst working full time, and got a really good mark but nearly killed myself in the process!
I now have a toddler, hence why I ideally wanted to study full-time with funding (don't we all?!) to reduce the stress of working/mothering/studying blah blah.

Anyway, my options for this year are to either decline the offer and wait to apply for full-time funding next year. Or, accept the offer, study part-time and work part-time. The only thing holding me back from saying yey is the financial side, mainly (very big) nursery fees. It would be a great foot in the academic door though, and i am so desperate to get started on this.

Is anybody else studying, working and looking after young children? I am sure many of you are, and I am just being precious about it!
I think I may just need some reassurance...

Sorry to go on, and thanks for listening :)

Hey,

No I wasn't interviewed... I got the email, so I emailed and asked a few questions (mainly because I didn't even know I was being put forward for funding at this point) and I was told that 'only applications that get nominated go through to the funding board committee' - I think they were making me feel better about being turned down, kinda like, "oh, but you were good enough to get nominated so don't worry too much blah blah!!"
your situation sounds more positive :p

Gosh, how unhelpful of your ex-tutor :-s

I am not an expert but i would say it would be fine to contact the uni that you did your degree at. Especially if there is still a tutor there who taught you, perhaps there was a module or specific piece of work you did particularly well in? I know that one of my degree tutors provided a ref for my MA application, even though it was 3 years since I had studied for my degree - she was my dissertation supervisor so i had had a lot of contact with her at the time. You can ask eh? they can either say yes or no... especially if your other option isn't getting you any where
;-)

other people may have more helpful suggestions, like I said.. I'm no expert!

Good luck - it seems such a shame to let the application slip just because you can't get a ref

ah Sneaks, I must not let you continue to think I am some kind of application genius... all I did was state on my uni application that I would be applying to ESRC, and then submitted a 5000 word research proposal. I then got the email saying that although I had been nominated, I had been unsuccessful. So, I was actually unaware that my application would go straight to the ESRC board - the uni just nominated me and passed it on. :$ I was expecting to have to do something separate, but it seems not.... :p

Thanks for your words of support - it's nice to know I am not alone :)

Still waiting to hear about the scholarship, trying to think positively.... :p

hello,
I don't know much about these things but I am currently applying to study for a PhD. I put on my application that I wanted to be considered for ESRC funding and for the Uni Scholarship competition. The other day I received an email back from the Uni saying that I had been nominated to go through to the ESRC board but on getting there, had been unsuccessful :(
Not sure if this is a similar situation to yours but I emailed the department and they said that only people who are nominated by the department get through to the board, and then the decision is made from there.
I am still waiting to hear about the scholarship...
I know that competition for research council funding is fierce, so if you've come this far, it looks positive :)
Good luck :)

Hi Gals and Guys,

I got my application in to Warwick to do a 1+3 Sociology/Women's Studies PhD (I already have an MA but it's not recognised by ESRC)... I was really pleased with myself for getting the 5000 word proposal done, and the 3 applications forms that went with it - whilst working full time and having a toddler to contend with! I have just checked my emails and have got one saying that the ESRC met recently and my application for funding was unsuccessful :( I didn't even know the app was going to the ESRC - I thought that came later once Warwick had made their decision. Now I feel really, really down about it and am not sure what I am going to do. I will rely on funding if I am to do a PhD.
I have also applied for the Warwick scholarship, so there's still a chance, but this has really knocked my confidence. My job is crap at the mo too, and my PhD was a kind of get-out clause - which now obvioulsy isn't looking too hopeful.
Not much you can help me with really, but just wanted a moan and to get it out as I am sat in an office on my own!
Thanks for listening
Emma

Thank you Teek, that makes sense :) My subject is Women's Studies/sociology so my research will involve face-to-face interviews and the data collection that goes along with that...

Hello everyone - haven't been on for a while due to moving to temporary address, house-hunting and other such delights. Anyway, am FINALLY in a position and head-space to work on my research proposal and am doing (may I say) rather well in the days off work I have booked especially to work on it... discipline is the name of the game!
However, I am anticipating some problems when it comes to writing a brief timescale for completing the PhD, as I have never done a PhD before so am not sure when I will be doing what etc etc. I was wondering if anybody could give me a rough idea of when you did what/in what year etc...so, was it reading and background research in the first year, empirical research in second?
Hope that makes sense - don't worry about being tooooo detailed, I know tou are all busy ,) just a bit of an idea would be fabulous.
Many thanks in advance,
Emma

I have just ordered the book that sounded as though it 'came outta my head' :-s in the hope that I read it, and find a great, big, bloody gap in the research. I really, really want to continue with this topic so although I tried to put it in the bin in my head, and think of something else - i am trying to take my own advice, and find another way around it. I just have to accept that my research isn't going to be something that has NEVER, EVER been even THOUGHT ABOUT before!!!! ;-)

I am also in the process of writing a proposal... have you checked what is expected of the department you are applying to? I think requirements really depend on the Uni/department and what area/subject you are looking into.
From my experience, I have had to write a brief summary of the area/research topic, research questions, relevant literature already looked at (properly referenced), methodology and any previous experience had with the subject or area of research. This was what i have picked up from the specific institution details though, so it's worth checking with yours ;)