Mokey. For me 5k words would also take me longer than a week (probably 2 or 3 weeks to be honest) so try not to worry. My supervisors often say you should aim to write 500 words per day so if you don't work the weekends then 2 weeks is about right. I scatter stuff everywhere, plan and scribble things down...bit disorganized really but I get it all done eventually and put this down to being a perfectionist Try not to worry. I'm missing deadlines very regularly at the moment - I couldn't be a journalist hehe.

Well done Chris and good luck. Try not to stay up too late!

I know exactly what you mean. I too started my PhD with a romanticised view of what academia would be like and the reality has fallen short in a number of ways. To me it all seems to be about numbers...numbers of students enrolled, number of potential students coming through the doors at open days, number of flashy new buildings, number of cappuccino 'pods' in each building, number of research projects on the books (whether they're managed well or not), number of sofas in the now-noisy library, increasing number of hours taught my T.A's rather than fully-qualified lecturers etc etc. Hardly anyone talks about it but it does seem to be all about money and sometimes I think I'd rather be in a private sector organisation which doesn't try pretend to pretend otherwise...or maybe I just need to stop ranting and deal with it!!

It has to be Walls Mini-Milk ice lollipops - I've gone through half a box on this long and painful Saturday evening of work...so sweet, so tasty and they're only 30 cals

Hi Oz,

Yes this sounds familiar. Generally I stand with my head pointing to the floor when in the company of academics! I used to feel really uncomfortable with this but now I don't care all that much - it can get awkward but sometimes you just don't click with certain people.

Try to think of your superiors as individuals rather than a collective group and see how it goes. You may be right. It could have something to do with feeling like those higher up the chain know more but try not to beat yourself up. You're building up your knowledge slowly but surely. Stick with those that make you feel good and I hope you find it gets that bit easier.

I think I'm going to be having another all-nighter...I was beginning to think that there was something wrong with me - so glad to have found this post. I don't know if anyone watches the weekly 'cutewithchris' on youtube but "morrre cwoffee" comes to mind! Anybody else up?

Hehe at the last sentence SixKitten! Send it - I have emailed appalling pieces to my supervisors (and I mean so awful I would shake at the computer waiting for a reply) usually with a sob story to accompany them e.g. "I've been up all night and I can't do any better". It is good to get something through and they're there to give feedback after all so I say go for it. You may just be sick of looking at it - it could be fantastic!

Did anybody else write their foreword first? I began my literature review last month then stopped and decided to write a short foreword as my sup wants me to think of the thesis as 'a story'...I have to say I think it has helped. I used this section to clarify the root of my early ideas so I can now work from there and return to them when necessary.

Sorry to hear that JoJo. Its not nice is it? We'll get through. I'm thinking I'm going to be on here a lot more in this next year - who will I 'rant' to?

After two whole years my friend has quit her PhD. I'm gutted. We worked together in quite a small department with only 5 PhD students (in the same field) and we've had many ups and downs so I'm really not sure how I will do my last year without her.

We were the first two to start doing this particular course and we were on the same level right the way through until we hit the 'transfer strage'. Her level of support from her supervisors seems to have been pretty dire and while I got through she had to withdraw her report (twice). I am very angry at this. I feel she has been totally messed around.

On the postive side she seems to be happy with her decision to leave and I'm totally behind that of course. Still...I'm very sad today.

My partner makes the best Irish stew with fresh soda bread. I will get him on the case!! I'm in stress-mode at the moment but did manage to get out of the house today for a nice burrito in a place nearby. Fresh brain food at last!

haha! don't mock the human geographer!! grrr I don't have a thesis title yet - I'm 18 months in and am only just beginning to get over the shock of the transfer report. My title for that was 'the internet and the increasing visibility of queer german-turks'...that sounds so simple compared to the other topics on here. If only it actually was!!

Chrisrolinski...I love Chinatown, though I often find the fruit and veg. somewhat more expensive there! All this talk of food is making me hungry (again).

I've seen yoghurts in Asda for 7 or 8p also!!!

Haha insomniac, I may give that a go! I'm pleased to say you two, that I've now been shopping - "have you got a clubcard?" - what has become of my bank holiday weekend?!!