Hi,

Any advice on the transfer viva. Such as the general questions that may be asked? I have no idea what to expect.

Thanks for your response, .  My plan was to take a year out, get some work experience and then all being well doing a taught masters in 2010. I started this straight out of uni and regret that now.  It is nice to see someone who has made a full recovery. I think you are right, it is irrational to think that people will judge over dropping out of a PhD. I just wish I had done it last year.

The thought completing an Mphil makes me die inside - it is that bad.  I have still to talk to them about it...

How is the masters treating you?

I have just entered into 2nd year and have put off leaving for the last 3-4 months , I decided that I might still pull something out the bag, or have a last minute dedication to the cause. Unfortunately I feel like I have been kidding myself on a little - putting of the inevitable, getting a job. Also the money - with a lack of jobs I thought I would work it like a job - this was near impossible.

I fell pretty bummed out by the whole experience, I found myself isolated more than I had expected (I found this difficult). I used to be enthusiastic and work hard but it is almost impossible - I assume I just never liked the subject. I feel brain dead more than when I started. This feels like my fault - but yet it seemed out of my control. I watched it happen. Strange experience. But I learn from it.

Does it look bad to have quit a PhD or can I still put a spin on it? How hellish is it getting a job? I feel lost how do I find my confidence again? If I decided to do a taught masters in a couple of years will this go against me?

A lot of confused questions...

Thanks.

You may never get a Eureka moment. I would best describe the process as having an idea and not totally understanding it... then something sinks in slowly and so you make some changes... then something else sinks in... so you make some more changes... lots of small moments that are not Eureka's but gradual understanding's that require patience and confidence to see you through. I was advised to have a proposal for my transfer and reminded that this is not totally set in stone until it comes to writing up...

In my opinion worrying will only cause more problems - I found it difficult to think when worried, if I get anxious I quit and leave it be. Go with the flow. PhD's are tedious at the best of times!

That is a good way of proceeding - treating it like a job.  Get on and do it, and I wish you the best of luck. I just don't feel in that situation anymore, I have let things slip and don't feel prepared to continue.  Unfortunately unlike a job I feel a little out of my depth and isolated, I was convinced this would not be a problem, but I need to be honest with myself. I have a lot of respect for anyone who completes and plan to come back to it in the future, maybe 10 years time, once I have partied hard.

I think the problem is that I don't really have the drive to see me through.  It's a challenge when you don't know why you are doing it. I have lost sight of my original ambitions through being given an opportunity that I felt I should take.  The topic should take you through, not the goal of a PhD. You are right though, I have learnt a lot and I think people lose sight of personal development and personal ambition for a title - for which many do not care for, and at the end of it all, that kind of gratification is short lived and ego driven.  I learnt - I am not particularly interested in academia.

I am bored out of my head. The subject I find very boring, struggling to write and just cant be bothered no matter how much I think I would like to do it. I am also coming to the end of my first year and doubt wither it is worth continuing. Why do I really want a PhD anyway? / Why does anyone want a PhD? What is it like looking for a job after being a quitter?

I am bored out of my head. The subject I find very boring, struggling to write and just cant be bothered no matter how much I think I would like to do it. I am also coming to the end of my first year and doubt wither it is worth continuing. I am not sure I really want a PhD?

You’re crazy (no offence). I wouldn’t worry about it, especially if you are achieving 80% on a masters dissertation - this is exceptional. I believe that, though important in getting your point across, the quality of writing is not necessarily what is at stake – more the content and strength of argument, including its originality.

How long has it taken people to write there first year report?

I dont know how to plan and have never made one. I never know what to do next, and instead make it up. It might work, I guess I will find out at the end of they year. It causes me alot of stress, but maybe its how I work.

That is a good question and I think it is best answered by yourself. I would suggest that perhaps the comments made by your supervisor where not fair, after all, we all make mistakes. I find that in times like this it is best to ignore them and make your decisions. I dont imagine many bio-engineers have knowledge of both biology and eningeering? As a new field perhaps this makes your research more rewarding, even if it is an extra battle.

I would not recommend it. It might well be one of the biggest decisions of your life. The PhD is not what you might expect, do not compare it to any other form of study. I decided to take one based on very little knowledge of what I was doing, though I am finding it very difficult to get motivated, sometimes its good, sometimes I want to quit. Make it easier on yourslef and select the best supervisors and topic - research this before you begin. Get yourself mentally prepared and I would recomend taking time out for year, I wish I had - I feel bound to another 3 years. Maybe your different.

My plan of action (based on this post):
1/ Continue, and accept that there will be a lot of friction between now and my transfer report.

2/ Lighten up and keep in mind this is possibly not meant for me, either at this time or ever!

3/ That I am getting payed to learn and that this is a rare oppurtunity, wither I continue to an MPhil or not (perhaps controversial).

4/ Time of no direction or confusion are common - and if this frustrates me, then I take a break.

5/ Get on with it and stop thinking about it so much!

Perhaps we should create some un-plugged PhD guides - for those who find themselves in such a situation - any to add?

Thanks for posts, it seems I am in a common position. I have come to similar conclusions and am going to continue with a more light hearted attitude - care free you could say. "my department were like 'you'd be an excellent phd student' and i was like 'ok!'" - I too found myself pigeon holed as a research student, this is not something I regret and hope that I might find my feet.