Tag Archives: PhD

An almost doctor (Rousse)

My sister S revealed that she too had undertaken doctoral studies, so why did she not use the title ‘Doctor’? She confessed that she had submitted her work and passed her viva examination, but couldn’t be bothered to deal with … Continue reading

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A sticky PhD problem with orange Blu-Tack (Rousse)

MS had obviously not considered the existing provision for PhD student training when he created his ‘new’ programme. He stuttered unconvincing excuses when I reminded him that we were only accredited for the programme that we delivered in 2020. As … Continue reading

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Outdoors investment advice (Rousse)

My mother-in-law stood at the top of the grassy slope, dishing out investment advice in a very loud voice. Meanwhile, in the distance, I could see my former colleagues holding their Wednesday afternoon research meeting. At the conclusion of the … Continue reading

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Unwelcome house-mates (Rousse)

Entertaining L,T, P and S was much  more difficult now that we lived in shared accommodation with PhD students. I was hoping that I could shoo the others away the night that I was hosting our dinner party, but I … Continue reading

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Finals fear (Rousse)

Two years later than expected – due to treatment for breast cancer – I was due to take my finals. However, I had not read the set texts, did not know the exam time or venue, the paper format was … Continue reading

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University fairground attraction with lemon drizzle cake (Rousse)

I panicked when I first arrived at work because I thought that I had forgotten to pack my trousers. It was such a relief to find them at the bottom of my bag, and be able to dress for a … Continue reading

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A hat trick of PhDs (Rousse)

Not to be outdone, two of my three flatmates from my undergraduate final year embarked on doctoral studies. Soon all three of us would all hold a PhDs: mine in Computing, SL’s in education, and HW’s on obscure French philosophy.

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Naughty tea time (Rousse)

We were in a huge amount of trouble with L and T. They’d baked cakes and invited us to a tea party in Morningside at 4:30pm on Sunday. We ‘cancelled’ by telephone two hours ten minutes after the appointed time. … Continue reading

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The loneliness of a PhD student in COVID times (Rousse)

It was a lonely life as a PhD student, especially during COVID times when I both lived and worked all by myself in the marble columned museum.

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Penguins suits and a smell (Rousse)

The twins made a huge effort with their outfits for the conference. They dressed in not-quite-identical penguin suits. The slightly larger one had also dyed her strawberry blond hair black, making it much easier for strangers to distinguish the two … Continue reading

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