I am starting my phd in a couple of weeks but have no idea exactly when i am supposed to start in the lab, meet supervisoretcetc. i have been told to chillout and i will be a student so can turn up when i like but i find it more stressful not knowing whats happening. Was wondering if i should email my supervisor and ask but dont want to annoy them by bothering them. Or should i just turn up whenever and bug them then???????

I think you should definitely e-mail or phone your supervisor to ask for details of the arrangements for your first week - I'm sure they won't think this is an unreasonable request! As for coming and going when you like, well, things may well be different in other research groups but in the group I am working with, research students are expected to attend every working day (unless studying elsewhere) and to work full-time hours (at least!). In my experience post-grad research bears little resemblence to under-grad degrees! Good luck :o)