Hi all
I almost feel a bit ashamed writing this... but I figured confession is good, and others might have suggestions. I am 6 months in, data collection is being held up by ethics/waiting for approval, there is a continuation report I could be getting on with (but not a lot new to think about since I've no data yet) and also a presentation to give in a month or so on what I've been doing (but not a lot new to think about since I've no data yet)... So I feel b-o-r-e-d and slightly pee-ed off. Like maybe I am not making the most of my PhD? My student colleagues are all busy... should I ask my sups for some data to analyse or something to do? Any advice / tips appreciated (from seasoned or slightly seasoned PhD students please)...
Ta

The early stages can be a bit like that, when things are held up and you have a quiet period. Are there any interesting workshops or training events you can go to, as this is the time when you actually have time to brush up on anything you might need for later? Also, although it's a bit dull, any extra reading/writing you can do at this stage will help take the pressure off later on. I would probably just try to think of something I fancied doing to be honest, rather than asking supervisors for work, as one of the luxuries of the PhD is that you can take your own little wanders when it's quiet!

I spent a lot of time in those bored stages watching films and lots of daytime TV!

And now I spend most of my free time working on the thesis, so I've definitely made up for those hours when things were quiet. Now I've got loads to do because my data collection is complete!

I agree with chickpea, do you need to do any research method courses or reading? This is the time for that and setting up your social media profile and blog etc if you want to go down that route. Don't ask for work from your supervisors, gosh no!

Yeh, I've been sorting out my data storage stuff and generally making sure I'm organised. Thing is, I like to have something I can get my teeth into. But OK, I'll take a chill pill and not ask for any work...

Interesting to read this Tudor_Queen as I'm in a similar position. Although I'm slightly further into the process, (around 9 months in) my data collection has also been delayed for one reason or another. So now I'm in limbo land and I identify with feeling bored. I'm trying to develop my literature review, but without an impending deadline some days I'm struggling to motivate myself. I've also spent some time reading around data analysis methods so I feel a bit more prepared for when the time comes. I haven't shared this information with my supervisors or asked for anything additional. I'm just trying to ride it out.

Hi 323cjm. Thanks for posting. Glad it's not just me who is bored. Maybe we should just use the opportunity to go for a short holiday or something, while we've got the chance!

Apologies for being so nerdy, but this is what I would have done I. My first year if I had free time:

1. Think about the analysis of the data that I will collect. Attend statistical courses and learn a new software for data management. It makes me sad everytime when I see good data analysed poorly. Talk to a statistician. It took me about 3 months to optimise the methodological design.

2. Finalise and publish the literature review.

3. Set up a latex template for the PhD and sort out your references.

Nerdy is good... thanks for the advice. I've actually been going over stats ready for when I do my analysis. And I'm looking at different coding schemes today. Finalising and publishing the literature review is interesting. Do you think everyone's literature review is potentially publishable? Mine is taking bits from here there and everywhere and I'm not sure where it would fit in terms of a journal. I'll talk to my supervisor.