That's some good advice from Olivia. I felt really de-motivated at the mid-way point of my first year simply because I was completely overwhelmed by what seemed to be the huge, impossible task ahead of me. I spent a lot of time panicking and thinking 'i don't know what i'm doing' so I started lots of strands of research and then gave them up because I feared that I was wasting my time so I didn't really get anything done at all.

Make it manageable - break the thesis up into small sections and then set yourself smaller, achievable goals in each of those sections. The smaller you make the task, the easier it is to achieve and then you feel like you're making process. Also, get along to research seminars - even if they're not in your subject area they may be interesting, you'll feel involved in a research community, and they'll get you thinking like an academic.

Anyone had to do any archival / other research in New York? I'm looking for somewhere cheap, convenient to the NY Public Library and quiet to stay while I'm there. I'll only be there for 5 nights in all.

Thanks eddi - it's good to hear other people are finding feedback (or lack of it) difficult. I guess we just have to struggle on - this forum is great.

No, I'm not interested in picking someone who's going to give me an easy ride - anyway, is this really true of ANY academic?? But I really do want to get someone who will be a good referee - so I'm probably going to take sleepyhead's advice... if I can. The problem is that my supervisor has decided on someone who hasn't published in this area - just because this person is her friend, I think - I'm going to try and change her mind asap.
Thanks for all the advice!

I'm an arts PhD in my final year and I'm beginning to think about external examiners - bit quick off the mark with this one as not looking at completing for a little while, but I'm just thinking ahead. How much input does the PhD student have into choosing the external? What should you look for? - I'm working in a relatively new field and there are only two people who've published in this area so I think they are the obvious first and second choices but my supervisor disagrees - she wants to approach someone who teaches in this area, but hasn't published. I'm really scared at the thought of the viva and really fear that the external might not pass me! Any advice?

In a twisted sort of way it's great to hear that other people are having the same awful experiences of supervision that I am. My relationship with my supervisor is so dysfunctional that I get a terrible sinking feeling in my stomach before I even email her - this is an improvement though, I spent my first year as an emotional wreck and left every meeting on the verge of tears. I wish now that I'd had the courage to transfer at this point. As it stands, she doesn't read any of my work but occasionally meets me to give negative feedback all the same "I haven't had a chance to read this, but going by the first paragraph I don't think this is what this chapter should be about", etc. I am now in the position where I am self-supervising and I'm not really sure whether the work is good enough or not. Does anyone else feel that they are going it alone??