I'm beginning to lose hope with looking for PhDs. All I really want is something that I'm interested in and which, ideally, is in the north or midlands. I've got a place at quite a prestigious centre in Bristol, but it's both an area with which I'm pretty unfamiliar, and a long way away, and so I'm probably going to turn it down. The problem is that I like quite a few areas, but none stand out, which can make decisions quite hard. I know I really want to do a PhD, but I'm getting pretty cheesed off with things.

Oh, and it's not helped by the fac that I have pretty long-standing depression, which makes me worry about whether I'd be able to complete the PhD if I find one...

Hi Matthew

You are wise to be considering these things. As you can tell from the posts on this forum, PhDs can be incredibly stressful and I think it may well be difficult to cope with PhD stress on top of any existing depression. However, I don't want to put you off as PhD research can also be very rewarding. I think in your situation it's very important that you find the right project for you (i.e. one that really inspires and motivates you) and also find a very good supportive supervisory team. I'd advise you to hold out for a project that you really want to do, somewhere close to family and friends for support. Best of luck.

Speaking from the point of view of a nearly finishing-up PhD student. If you worry this much before starting a PhD, you WILL become mad with depression during the PhD. Most PhD students tend to have some freedom within the area before deciding on which one to specialise.

I don't understand why you wouldn't want to move to Bristol. It is a good place. I would move location to do be a PhD in a good place and have done. It was good. Exciting new place, new friends, new way of life!

Having said that I do understand that I should respect people's feelings and opinions. You should do it where you would be happy esp. with the depression I suppose. I can't say I really understand it though!