A nice new beginning

So this time last summer, I was all set to start a PhD at University College London. I was excited, and I was also thankfull that I had managed to secure a PhD after I got messed around by someone at Queen Mary University.

I started at UCL and gently settled myself in. I had a few problems, I generalyl do when starting in new places, but I soon settled down. After 3 months, I felt ok. So i felt I could go on. After 6 months, I started having doubts. I was becoming quite unhappy. After 9 months, maria had noticed I had changed, and in a very open conversation we had, she admitted she had never seen me so sad and angry before, and was scared I didn't love her anymore. I finally admitted that I wasn't happy at UCL. I left.

A couple of weeks later, I got a phone call from one of my old lecturers at Kingston University. She had heard I was now a free agent, and had rung my parents to get ym mobile number to contact me - a quite flattering effort in itself. After a good talk, she offered me a PhD. I wasnt sure, so took a week to think about it, but duely accepted.

I've also managed to blag some summer work, its only volenteer work on a small chemistry project but I get some money to cover the costs of travelling, which is great and I start my PhD proper in october

After being at a big academic institution like UCL, I realise I feel at home in the humble, modest setting of kingston university. I felt UCL did scientific research to uphold a reputation. There where big ego's, but I had made some good friends there. I was sad to leave the good people, but was not sad to leave UCL.

Maria has noticed I'm happier and relaxed again (or, at least, I'm just grumbling about my bike ). I'm looking forward to returning to kingston, to getting involvd in a project which has very little previous research. I'll have supervisors that are interested and willing to give me their time.

This is gonna be great

Just thought I would share, I'm a happy 'hero right now

Matt

[gruntygiggles]

Well Bl00dy good for you!!!!

That sounds fantastic and you sound full of hope and optimism!

Big smiles all round

Good for you mate

I had a similar experience when I was at Queen Mary university but for me it involved changing courses from Aerospace Engineering (which I flunked terribly) to Computer Science. The hardest part for me was admitting that I wasn't happy, and as soon as I did that everything else fell into place and it felt like a mahoooooosive weight had been lifted from my shoulders.

So, now that you'll be down in Kingston you'll have to pop by our place in Twickenham for a cuppa now and then

Nice one lover!

[maviczap]

Aye, you seemed to be lookin foward to it when we spoke about it at the AR

I'd been in a similar situation when I transferred offices from sunny Felixstowe to London. I changed roles from a very active and exciting job, to purely deskbound duties. Plus I was commutin an hour each way every day, which was very alien to this country boy.

I lasted 5 months before going to my manager to request a transfer back and I had to go and see the higher manager to explain myself. But I got my transfer back and have never regretted it

Good luck chap

[Sir Trev]

I assume this is what I used to know as Kingston Poly? There was a lot of snobbery back when I was a student about poly vs uni but after going on several open days to both kinds I came away thinking the poly always had a nicer atmosphere. Sounds to me like that is still the case.

Deciding to go for Brighton Poly for my BA was the best hing I ever did - great place to be a student and the sandwich year meant I had a full year of experience on my CV at the end (a HUGE advantage). The uni equivelant couse was three years full time and they wanted ridiculously high grades for the same qualification. The work was hard but we were based in a converted factory that somehow didn't feel like a classroom making it more relaxed.

Hope it works out well for you A*.

can somebody read it for me and give me a brief idea what its about. too many words, too long.

TIA

[gruntygiggles]

Originally Posted by keithd

can somebody read it for me and give me a brief idea what its about. too many words, too long.

TIA

A*H got on one PHD at a university. 6 months later was very unhappy, so decided to leave. Then was offered PHD at old college AND volunteer research work over the summer. Now he is happy and has a new start in life!

Will that do?

[Spiderman]

Pleased to hear its all on the up n up for you buddy

Originally Posted by gruntygiggles

A*H got on one PHD at a university. 6 months later was very unhappy, so decided to leave. Then was offered PHD at old college AND volunteer research work over the summer. Now he is happy and has a new start in life!

Will that do?

thats fabbo GG.

nice one ASH, pleased its all looking rosey in your life. big keithyd thumbs up!