Hi,

I'm applying for jobs and I need to write a 5 year research plan which is no longer than 2 side of A4. My problem is that how on earth do you get enough stuff into 2 side of A4. Currently I have three articles, the monograph of the thesis and the beginnings of another book, all with abstracts. My plan is currently only up to 2022. Do you just give article title and say a two line description?

Thanks

Renbunny

Title says it all really, I've 80 days left to finish editing has anyone got any good tips to stave off low level colds etc.? I'm already taking a multivitamin and trying to see the elusive sun every day but has anyone else got any super tips?

Thanks

RenBunny

P.S. I fully expect to spend September in a state of utter collapse!

It says can't find the server - would you post a new link?

Hi Stormtrooper,

First things - hugs. You are not alone, you are not a failure. There is a few things that I'd recommend in your position but as a Arts PhD my experience is a little different to yours. First of all you need to try and get as close to a definite question and boundaries of your topic. When I started my PhD covered 30+ texts once I'd decided to whittle it down to 9 my stress levels went way down. Ask yourself what you want your thesis to achieve (it is YOUR thesis not your supervisors' or the industry partners) then schedule a meeting with as many of your supervisors as soon as possible to define and clarify this question (if you don't know what your ultimate aim is of course you feel overwhelmed). The question you define at that meeting isn't necessarily the hypothesis that will be in your final thesis but they should be reasonably similar. As for writing I remember the first thing I ever submitted to my supervisor and it was cringeworthy to me even then. Now at 2 years 6 months yes some of the stuff I wrote in the first year needs rewriting but it doesn't all need binning. You don't have to write perfectly you just have to write. With your training all I can suggest is that you keep asking. I would suggest trying to see your uni's counselling service as it can be incredibly helpful to talk to someone independent and the uni counsellors will have seen lots of PhD students before. Going to the gym is a good thing - a PhD isn't like working at a checkout you can't just keep doing it mindlessly over and over - your brain needs space to breathe and keeping fit can only be a good thing. Finally I'd suggest you think about all the things which you have achieved - a degree, a masters, paid employment, a funded PhD. You have got so much further than many other people. You can do this!

Hi, I was wondering if anyone on here has done the researchers in schools route into teaching and if so if they would be willing to tell me a bit about their experiences either as a post or a dm. It sounds like a really interesting option for those who have always considered secondary teaching. Thanks. Renaissance Bunny

I can only echo Mattfabb and suggest that you occupy yourself with something else otherwise you will just worry - maybe there is a paper you could be writing or some area of your subject you've always been interested in but never had the time to study. I wouldn't recommend endlessly picking over your thesis as it will only lead to you thinking it is awful. I'm afraid patience and keeping busy is the only answer.

I can understand - to a certain extent - why the start of the Autumn semester is so disorganised but there really is no excuse for materials not to be available to the teaching teams - because if we are all honest the course content varies so little from year to year that it is 90% the same. I just feel like academic institutions haven't caught up with the reality for most PhD students - in my field - full stipends are a thing of the past and teaching is so unpredictable and piecemeal that everyone I know has other jobs too, we can't rearrange our lives with two days notice in order to teach and so people are missing out on that experience.

Well the start of term is here again and I am TA ing on 3 courses for the same department this year - great! But has anyone else had their unit being really fuzzy on the details - for example for one of my courses I am teaching either one or two hours subject to uptake (that's fine) the problem is the first tutorial is on Thursday and I don't know how many classes I'm supposed to teach! For another course I found out today as a result of some crossed wires in a conversation with a lecturer who does teach on the course that I am supposed to be teaching another course on Thursday - I had no idea! I have no idea what text I'm supposed to teach, what the course requirements are or of anything really! Is it just my uni that manages to be quite so unclear or is it the same everywhere?

Personally I'd try to email the author of the poster and ask them if they have a paper in the works, that way if you are still a while away from submitting you can cite in you thesis for now "Paper Title in Journal of Whatever forthcoming" and update it once the paper has been published.

Hey,

I am sure that you actually do far more work than you give yourself credit for. Think of all the time you spend lying in bed thinking about the work - other people clock out at 5 and that is that but we work constantly. Don't underestimate the value of brain work, if you don't think about your work how will you ever draw conclusions or connections? As for wasting time, I'd suggest having a wee list of simple things that you can do like maybe there is an article you want to read (having on or two handy on your desktop or phone or tablet means that when you are sitting thinking you ought to work you can get there in a couple of clicks) or a paper you could proof read or even something so simple are organising your computer files. These stupid little things can make you feel that you have achieved something in a day, even if it was only renaming all your pdfs, so at the end of the day you can remind yourself you have done something that has contributed in some very small way to your thesis. If you really really aren't in the mood for proper work see if there are any documentaries vaguely related to your field that you could watch - you get an hour of tv time and some tangentially useful knowledge so the day isn't a complete bust in terms of work.

I hope this helps you

Chin up

I've thought about telling him face to face but the problem is I know that I will either chicken out or end up crying really badly which I don't really want to do as I think it can effect your relationship with them and can leave you feeling awkward every time you see them afterwards

My question is this: is this an ok email to send my supervisor to let him know what is going on? and given that although his English is excellent is it too opaque for a non native speaker?

"I am sorry that I am not making more progress with my thesis of late. I have been struggling with a number of things which are hindering my ability to write. Although I have been trying to address these issues progress is slow. I continuously try to work on the thesis but I am finding that my personal issues make it very difficult to devote as much time and energy as I want to my work.

Regarding the upgrade review I have spoken to my second supervisor and discovered that it does not take place until May and requires 8,000-12,000 words which are to be submitted to someone. As I already have my first chapter all that needs to be done is to polish it for submission.

I regret that I do not have more to show you for this week and I would ask that you hold off on giving in depth comments until I have written the entire piece. As well as the main body of the text I am also researching further the critical angle which I appreciate I have not managed to convey my understanding of previously."

A bit of background - I'm a first year literature PHD who has come straight from undergrad on the advice of a lecturer. In the final year of my undergrad, last year, I finally acknowledged (after breaking down in front of a professor) that I was probably depressed and needing help so I went to the uni counselling service and the doctors and with various ups and downs and one minor panic attack got through my final year with the grades I needed for my 2i. Re the depression I was alright over the summer when I had a shop job and was gently working on my PHD, so much so I went off of the meds. Then come October when the PHD officially started I got quite stressed again and worked myself up to the point where I couldn't work, I went back on the meds. In the run up to Christmas it was going pretty well and I got 15,000 words written. However, since them I have been really struggling to work. I feel hopeless stupid and utterly unsuited for a PhD, while I am motivated to work I just cannot summon the energy to do it or when I am sat in front of the computer with my notes around me I cannot marshall my thoughts into any kind of sensible order from which paragraphs can come. It has got to the point where I feel I need to tell my supervisor because when I see him in meetings I am generally fairly positive about how much work I can do but then I realise that I have put too rosy a tint on things and that the goals I have set myself are just unreachable. Continued ...

A conference that I'm interested in submitting to has asked for a short biography should I write this in the first or the third person? I'm tending toward the third but I was just wondering what normal practice is. Thanks

Hi, I'm about to start my PHD in English and French Renaissance Drama and I thought that finding an online buddy working in a similar field might help me get through the process - someone to tell about what I'm actually doing (or not doing as the case maybe) and how I'm getting on right outside my university. So I'm hoping that there is someone else about to start a literature PHD who fancies trying to buddy up. PM me if you're interested.