doesn't really matter. The most important thing is that their is finally some activity on this forum. The last few days I thought they'll have to close it down due to absence of posts.

no, please don't associate me with Apollo.

I don't particulary share his views.

However, MistaG was always my true soulmate.

I think you achieved quite a lot already.
I've known one guy, now senior lecturer at Ashridge, published 5 top journals during his PhD. However, as a result his PhD took 8 instead of 4 years till completion.

I think success as a PhD student should ideally be the PhD itself and not publications. A PhD is supposed to prepare for a research career, yes, but it doesn't mean that a PhD student has to be a successful researcher and publishing tons of articles during the PhD. Some people also decide to move out of academia after PhD and as we all know, in the real world publications count almost nothing.

wow, Piglet. How do you manage to a life as well (timewise)?

very helpful comment as usual, Golfpro...

where are all the people?? There is no movement here-the forum appears dead since last week.

yeah, I forgot about primary sources and so on.

I've had good and bad times in my PhD. During the good times I felt really in control and could feel the momentum, in bad times I just couldn't be bothered with all that cr**.

I think the only way to get through it is to get going (without thinking about it). Even if the light at the end of the tunnel is not visible most of the time. I'm just telling myself - in less than 20 months (if everything goes to plan) it's finally done.

If you have an Athens-Password you don't need a library. All you need is an Internet connection, so that should not be a problem.

Motivation: don't know myself. Sometimes the only way I can motivate myself is by telling me that it is only a limited period of time of doing a PhD or the pain I would feel if I did not get it.

PhD is really tough...

sorry for not taking you serious with your "problem", but once you'll start your PhD the weather will definitely be your smallest problem...

you must be joking...???

I think you should work in any job, save money for an MSc or MA, try to get a better result there and then you'll have more options in your life. A third class doesn't look good on your CV, doing a Master and getting a 2.1 or better could improve your future career prospects

Well, that's your impression then. However, as you correctly pointed out, you are not doing a PhD yet, so you don't know how it's like.

but rest assured, I'm very motivated for my PhD and I will never quit, that's for sure (unless I'm dying before I pass my VIVA).

this however, does not imply that I do not have certain difficult days like everybody else where I'm not motivated and find it hard to get some words written. At least I'm being honest and don't pretend that life is wonderful when you are a PhD student.

I think you should tell us the name of this professor- for two reasons:

a) it might prevent prospective students to apply for his supervision

and more importantly

b) I think he deserves a little bit of "public ashaming" for his action

I know exactly what you mean. I'm doing that crazy stuff from time to time as well (but not longer than one week since longer periods of that lifestyle are usually resulting in me getting less productive and being unable to perform simple task such as going shopping for grocery or shaving).

what an amazing story, son of a (..).

I really think that this professor has bad manners and is an arse. He let you believe for one week that you got the phD position and then he just let you down==unbelievable.