1. MS - He was in a 'can I ditch my PhD now and get a lower qualification' I answered the procedural question (yes) and then asked why - turns out he was under a lot of pressure on time and required output .. and crucially hadn't had a holiday or even a two day weekend for some time - I told him that I would expect him to think like this without a holiday and told him to book a long break after his next deadline, to do some relaxation and we talked about how working hard at a low level can make it seem that the next level requires even harder work - even though that might not actually be the case, and how this might seem impossible given that you are working at capacity now - I gave some examples from my sales career and he seemed pleased that others had experienced it too.  He resolved to stay - I felt great!

2. LN - was 'worried about a presentation' but on questioning, she felt a) vulnerable in her flat b) a little bit ''overteased' by a collague (I think on the border of bullying - but under 'teasing' this is difficult to get to) c) like her purchase of her flat was a mistake d) scared of fire (her flat has been at risk when a fire started below her. She was also present during the breakdown of a member of staff who subsequently committed suicide.  Talking about all these things at once seemed to settle her greatly - she wrote to thank me as well.  I felt really good that I had been able to help - the procedural stuff about the presentation we dealt with, but it was a lot more that we got done than that.

3. NO - I caught up with him walking back from Tescos - he seemed a little distracted and slow to acknowledge me (not like him) it turned out he was really worried about completing his PhD - whether he would fail if it wasn't complete and about the progress.  We talked about it for some time and I reassured him that he a) had probably had a lot less supervision than he needed b) that he was right to expect more at a crucial time c) that it was normal to have blocked progress, especially if he was focussing on what happens if he doesn't complete/ had he wasted four years/what was he going to do if he didn't get his PhD, and that he should forget about progress for a week or so and just have a break.  He seemed very cheered by this - next time I saw him it was going well.  I think he still suffers from being lonely, but he has arranged to see his supervisor every week now, and progress is much faster as a result.  I again reassured him that if he had continual problems he ought to formally report lack of supervision.  He considered this but had taken many steps himself to move progress on.  I meet him every now and again and he still has slow patches, but sees completion before the end of his current extension as highly likely.

4. AD - Occasionally gets stressed about supervision, and progress of one or two students.  She needs to offload a bit and feel justified in being frustrated.  I listen to her and give some bits of advice/guidance (though usually this is asking her what she has done and finding out she has done what I was going to suggest and more) when I say that this is fantastic - no wonder she feels that she has done all she can do - because she has- she seems pleased and reassured.  Sometimes she says she is.    Two of her students (out of three) won prizes recently, and the third got a special mention for a presentation!  I know I didn't really help much.. but I feel as though I did!

5. CB - Came into my office and confessed that she was being bullied - some of it was quite severe - notes on doors, being woken up at night, enforced entry into her room, sexual jokes and accusations about her sexual availability etc etc.  In retrospect she was talking to me for a long time after some of the skills courses I taught her - and it did feel strange - if this happens again I wil ask if there is anything wrong as this talking a lot was undoubtedly a symptom of 'needing to talk' but not being sure what about. ..  I arranged that she could meet with the head of accommodation who arranged a move within a day into a room where she knew people.  I felt personally relieved as soon as I heard this good news - after she had offloaded to me I  could get some idea of the strain she was under.    She wasn't charged for this new room and I'm pleased to say she got a 1st after being really worried about her ability to work.  It took a few hours work, but was very rewarding - her mood lifted almost immediately she heard she could definitely move.  What was impressive is that she asked me about what she should do the night before and asked if she should start packing - when she was told she could move she brightened up and said 'I've already packed!' - The head of accommodation then called a porter and she was moved on the same day ofthe meeting and by the evening her new flatmates had organised a welcome take-away night.. how absolutely fantastic of them!!!

Her whole composure during this was very endearing.   I was very proud of the way she had represented herself and the Department.   (She's quite sexy too!).   Anyway the University was really good about it - despite the original warden going down the wrong and rather cowardly route.