Hello- does anyone think if its a good idea to write prospectivly to potential supervisors now,or wait until the new year and for advertisments etc? Don't want to be annoying after all!!

If you write prospectively then make sure it's only about things you are really interested in - otherwise you're wasting everybody’s time. Studentships for October 2005 are being advertised now - many more will follow in November and December. If you wait until the New Year you will have already missed some opportunities.