Some people say I should work at weekends whilst doing my chemistry PhD. That's what I did as an undergrad, I'm not gonna do it anymore, coz you end up going bonkers and your health and work suffers. I don't think that a PhD is worth being miserable over. I think too much study makes Jack a dull boy??????????

You should aim to work full-time hours (about 37 per week) and you probably won't need to do much more than this in your first year so can keep your weekends free. Unfortunately, you may well have to put in extra hours as your project progresses. You certainly need some time-out though, as you say too much work is detrimental to your health and social life!!

Just do as many hours as you need to finish your tasks. Time out is very important..you will go mad otherwise.

Got to work p/t to finance my PhD so only registering for p/t study - I'd go mad trying to complete in three years with any sort of job!