Hi Smilodon and Shani - Thanks very much - just came on this morning and saw your messages! The baby is due in 8 weeks! Very excited and have managaed to get a fair bit done - nothing like a baby to spur you on! Anyway - don't want to take over the thread but thanks again - it was really nice to get your encouraging words!

Hi - I've just moved away from where my PhD is based, partly because of my partner's job. It takes me three hours to get there. It's worked quite well - I meet up with my supervisor once a month or so and get to see my friends back there. I would consider the possible effect on your career in that I can't possibly teach there now and also you do become even more isolated than before. But there's no way I would have stayed and moving here was part of a long-term plan for both of us as it's peaceful, beautiful and I'm about to have a baby! Good Luck!

Another Phder who finished recently suggested I think of each chapter as a separate entity and then join them all up at the end and develop the links between each one. Again just as ProcrastiPro said it's only when I've started writing that my opinion has become clearer. I've also found experimenting really useful - just picking an area that really interests me about my PhD based on say one piece of primary evidence and trying to construct an argument around it to see how it sounds. Maybe we could exchange tips?

That sounds really interesting chrisrolinkski! I am a second year history phder and having problems too. I don't think I can give much advice but what Procrastipro says really rang true. My supervisor has encouraged me to write a chapter outline and keep revising it. If you want to avoid a chronological approach can you theme your chapter headings? Even along the themes you've just given and maybe se if they link in with a key turning point in time?

Hi Olivia - just regards the whole Northern Rock thing - I think I'm right in thinking that National Savings and Investments are the only people who can guarantee that if they go under and you have more than £30,000 in savings in there you will get all your money back. Again Money saving expert website has full info about how it works. But they are not a regular bank - just offer savings accounts. Like you said the others will guarantee up to £30,000 but again the website mentioned has full info about this under savings. Good luck

One thing I wish I'd done now is just keep track of my ideas on paper more. I have it all in my head - but it would really help if there were some snippets on paper! If you read something and it gets you thinking - take some notes however vague they might seem and file them properly - unlike me. Then by the second year when your thoughts and chapter outline comes together you'll know where to look. But just remember - what you think has been a waste of time really probably isn't - you're just finding your feet.

Hi Eddi - I'm halfway through my second year. The first year does feel quite odd - don't be too hard on yourself. You are bound to be far more critical of yoursefl than necessary. Part of the time wasted comes from trying to work out exactly what you're doing. Maybe in terms of writing just set yourself an easyish target - maybe a summary of a chapter read, a 500 word piece on an element of your PhD eg a theme you are looking at and how it is covered in the current literature.

Hi Olivia

Just wanted to say GOOD LUCK with the move. I admire anyone moving far away from the familiar as it takes guts! Most unis have a postgrad department here running events for postgrads, many of whom are far way from home which could help and as there are so many people in the same boat it's a good way of meeting them. Hope it all goes well and all the best.

As my mother used to say, I have everything crossed for you! Good luck and hope you get settled into your new place.

Yippee!! Really glad for you OZ!

Hello!! I am in the first year of my PhD- actually nearing the end of it - YIKES!! It's in history. This forum is a really good place to come and know you're not alone.

So sorry Oz - that is just rotten. Could you find someone to take on the tenancy for the last part of the fixed term? Maybe if you offered to find someone suitable the landlady from hell would be happy to let you go early? It's just PANTS PANTS PANTS!!! This country is crap if you want a family!! Good luck and let us know how it goes as Shani said.

I'm really sorry Pinkneuron. I bet your great kids would really want to be there for you now and will be waiting to give you big hugs to a mum they must be incredibly proud of. Don't give up!! I didn't get funding from Uni at first and then got it through a different body. It felt rubbish and I went away for a year convinced I wasn't good enogh and about to carry on my job - but the feeling just wouldn't go away - I really wanted to do a PhD more than anything I've ever wanted before. Doubts are normal and I have a wobbly at least once a week but it is worth it. Sending you

Hi Oz - I know - it's unbelievable isn't it. Are you doing your PhD part-time?Because I think that makes a difference to what you can claim. Also - does your Uni have a hardship fund? Might be worth trying to find out. How did it go in actually telling them? I hope it was OK. Sharing your

Sorry - SMP is statutory maternity pay and this is the web link:

http://www.dwp.gov.uk/lifeevent/benefits/statutory_maternity_pay.asp#howmuch

I like the sound of Finland - and Pinkneuron you made me laugh out loud with your story about your first child especially the running shorts bit taken to have a jog? - am sure when I have kids I'll put a nappy on the wrong end and take nothing of any use to the hospital!!