I got to wear a funny hat

[SEJohnson95]

Something I thought I might share with you all

July 6th was my graduation ceremony for the University of Birmingham. Lovely to see everyone looking fabulous (friends and family alike) and a relief to have finished my degree. 1st class MSci Chemistry with Industrial Experience. Off to the University of Bristol in September for my PhD in synthetic organic chemistry. Long term plans for the industry really - I will hopefully thank myself in 20 years or so!

Thank you all for your continued enthusiasm, as well as providing a welcome distraction from chemistry (most of the time) and the occasional chemistry question to answer! Sorry I have been a little quiet recently, but I've had a fair amount on, what with a little summer job, attending the British Grand Prix with my mate and then contending with some half-wit running into my (recently acquired and nicely tidied up) car..

[malcolm]

Well done Simon, and good luck with the Phd

[abowie]

Good man!

[mgcjag]

Hi Simon...thats great news.....im sure you had a great day and your family proud of you achievements....now the hard work starts with the Phd...enjoy it.... Steve

[Heuer]

Congratulations Simon although I expected no less of you

PhD in synthetic organic chemistry should serve you well. Lots of job opportunities here and in Russia!

[JagWaugh]

Well done Simon!

[MarkRado]

Congratulations! Now on to your own Etype

[Mark Gordon]

Congratulations, Simon, and well done! I know how proud of you and your achievement your parents are. When I was an undergraduate last century, I really enjoyed inorganic and the early study of organic chemistry and was seriously considering majoring in chemistry. Then, after the first midterm in organic, we launched into stereo isomerism and I decided to major in zoology instead. With your obvious intelligence and hard work, I have no doubt you will reach your goals. I look forward to addressing you as Dr. Johnson.

[christopher storey]

Very many congratulations, Simon, and all good wishes for your future career

[Heuer]

you need to change your signature Simon - it is out of date

[1954Etype]

That went quickly! Well done Simon!

[Geoff Green]

Very good Simon. You make us all proud. All the best. Geoff

[politeperson]

Congratulations Simon, dont know how you did it. I always found organic chemistry just about impossible, havent a clue how I got my A level in it!

[steve3.8]

Great news on the first Simon , onwards and upwards .

[SEJohnson95]

Thanks all for your kind words, and hopefully this is the start of a good career :)

It’s been a very rewarding and satisfying four years at Birmingham but I probably gave it too much - I was knackered when I finished. Properly burnt out. This past year in particular has required everything - 40 odd hours at least in labs, lectures, then evenings and most weekends studying or writing reports. Then straight into exam season. One thing essential for my PhD is a better work/life balance and although it’ll be just as demanding as my masters year, I need to be more strict about time off. I have always been guilty of never allowing myself enough time off, so something needs to change.

I have also update my signature too - it’s been through one or two versions these past few years!

Oh organic chemistry is pretty impossible, James, even organic chemists think that!

[malcolm]

Simon, my daughter (DOCTOR Rebecca Sykes)(typed proudly) did her Phd in native tropical forests in Mexico - not as romantic as it sounds, I can assure you. The one thing she found most important of all in terms of success/life balance/etc was getting a good mentor. She changed hers at one stage and life changed.

[MarkRado]

[Simon P]

Congratulations!

Whatever E-type you eventually end up getting for yourself, it'll need a Webasto to accommodate your headgear

[SEJohnson95]

Great point, Malcolm - I intend on doing that somehow! My family have always tried to reign me in with the workload, particularly during the so-called "breaks", usually Easter / Christmas when there's a lot to do. Their input is always valued and there's always a case to be made for time away from whatever you happen to be engrossed in. My parents sought a kid replacement scheme once my sister had also left for university, so our little King Charles Spaniel provided an excuse for walkies - plenty of exercise and clears your mind.

Keep the hat or opt-out of the Webasto? Time will tell

[ralphr1780]

Warm congratulations Simon, you can surely be proud of the achievement.
And all wishes of success for the PhD.
Organic chemistry is fascinating deep waters requiring long breath, still so much ahead of us to learn and explore.