Many thanks to Bilbo and Keenbean!

I've got in touch with Sussex Uni's student support unit and i've discovered that they have many different kinds of help on offer, I just have to make contact with them nearer the time I start the course. It sounds as if they provide counselling and all the other kinds of help that you guy's have suggested, actually it sounds like a similar kind of set-up to what's on offer at your Uni KB. I will also be sure to find a local GP that I can trust, and also I'll have to arrange to transfer to a local ED unit, my local NHS ED trust is at Eastleigh in the South East at present, and i've already imformed my counsellor there of my move, so I'm sure they'll support me through that.
The Uni of Sussex has quite a good rep for being quite a openminded kind of place, the various people there that I've spoken to on the phone have certainly been helpful, and also being Brighton based is going to be helpful for me, it's a bigger city compared with where I am at the moment, so there should be more help on offer.

2nd year of the PhD is cool! 8-) That seems such a long way off to me right now!hehe
May I ask what you're researching?

Cheers everyone!

Ludo

x

Thanks for all the useful info Keenbean! There's so much great stuff here that I can print off and refer to.

I will certainly try and make contact with the uni counsellor for support, I've never done this before, but now realise there is no shame in doing so. Actually I never knew there was so much assistance available. I will also get in touch with my supervisor before the start of the course, seems like the best thing to do.

Cheers again! And best of luck to you!

Are you still undertaking you PhD?

Ludo

x

Hi all,

I’m new to this forum and have a few questions that I hope someone here is able to help me with.


I start a DPhil in Gender Studies at The University of Sussex in Jan 2010. My educational background has been mostly in Fine Art (BA (Hons) Master etc), but I had always found myself drawn to the theoretical side of Fine Art, and found that most of my essays, dissertation had strong gender related themes. This subject as I’ve discovered is my overriding interest.
I’ve been assigned a great supervisor who from what I’ve read about her seems to be incredibly compatible with my own chosen areas of research.


Firstly I would like to know the etiquette of starting a DPhil/PhD. Should I email/make contact with supervisor to introduce myself? I’m not sure whether or not this is the done thing.


What other kind of prep should I undertake before I begin the course?


I’ve always been told that theoretical work is my strong point, but I’m a little concerned about the quality of some aspects of my written work. Is their learning support given at this level?


Having had a longstanding problem with depression and eating disorders, I wonder what kind of support is available to me, financially, practically etc


On other courses I’ve been on I’ve never asked for or received any help because I was afraid of then stigma of admitting to having what could be viewed as ‘mental health issues’. So I guess I just struggled through. I know this will be more demanding though and I’m determined to be well prepared.


Is it possible to spend part of the DPhil researching aboard if the topic of research demands it? Are there any particular things to take into consideration if wanting to do this, websites, funding etc?


I also plan to work at least part-time during this course, and of course it would be ideal for me to get a job within the University, I’m sure these jobs are highly sort after, any advice concerning how to go about this. I’d really like to go for something like library, but would be open to other things.


That’s it for now, this is a really informative and friendly forum, so if anyone can answer any or all of these question’s it would really useful to me, as I’m really new to this kind of area, but really excited about researching a topic I’m passionate about.


Thanks all!

Ludo


8-)