Oh dear i do feel inadequate now
Monday-Friday 10-4 officially but I quite often get lost in other things so heaven knows really how many hours I put in.
Weekends are sacred, time for family.
That said when i have a pressing deadline I will work whatever it takes to get it done.
Not the most organised way of doing it but it gets done which is what matters.
x

I think it depends on the sups and the establishment. I havn't done any empirical work yet and I'm into my second year. Writing is taking ages at the moment so its good you are ahead of the game in case you hit a slump!!

Ditto ditto ditto ditto. No enthusiasm no love for my work no confidence. I was honest with my sups and they said to take some time off and I would be more productive afterwards. I just don't feel I can justify my funding. Some days I sit and stare and the comp for hours without achieving anything. If I just get 100 words done its a breakthrough!!! BUT as the saying goes 'this too shall pass' and I intend to ride it out with lots of alcohol and chocolate

I say you are in a fantastic position!! Sounds like whatever path your research takes it will all be ground breaking and new and you have the potential to both provide new insights as well as providing a base for others to build research on! Commit to it and really give something original to your research community!!

mmmm just been talking with hubby this weekend about this. I wish I had done my phd part time. I started when my boys were one year old and at the time wanted out of the house at all costs. Now over a year on I am regretting not having more time with them but can't do anything about it as I have committed to complete in 3 years...by which time they will be at school and it will be too late to spend that time with them...humphhh not an easy decision x

well done!!! Glad you posted this as I am just revising for submission and sometimes feel like not bothering but now I may go for it!!

Short answer Yes with an if, long answer No with a but!
Please please please don't be put off this is all perfectly normal! I'm in year 2 and still feel exactly the way you describe it. I think it is my Sups that make me hate what I do if I were just left to my own devices I'd be loving it. Don't get too hung up on your sups expectations. Just work in your own framework. Feelings of being lost and inadequate come with the territory so don't panic if things are messy and confused...some days things will come into focus and then go again but eventually you will see with a higher level of clarity.
xx

Hmmm can't say I love the actually process of writing the PhD BUT the stuff that goes with it is great!! Every conference inevitably comes with drinks receptions attached. I have traveled more this last year than I have in my entire life! I get to talk with some of the weirdest, oddest individuals who make me feel reassuringly normal.
Highlight 1 - Telling my supervisors that there last session had left me so low I had gone on an alcoholic bender for two weeks...all true...their faces were a picture!
Highlight 2 - Winning an essay competition despite my supervisor constantly telling me that I write like a journalist!
Overall would I rather be doing something else....yes...but opportunity only knocks once so I am sticking with it!

I ring bells!! Huge big church bells!!

((((hugs))))
All these doubts sound very familiar. I think its perfectly normal to have lapses of confidences.. In fact my PG convener said he would be concerned about the people who never questioned their abiliites. You are obviously making good impressions on the right people otherwise you would not be in such demand. Take that as a sign that you are doing ok. PhD students do not tend to get much positive affirmation from people but it does not mean you are not doing well. I do think you need to start to prioritise as if you continue to work at such a rate you will burn out. Also 8-4 x6 days sounds like over work to me...seriously. Try to relax you would not be where you are today if you were not capable of doing this x

I wrote an essay 'The public service customer:Misdirection, Manipulation and Myth?...I have never won anything in my life. My school is really making a big deal of it....feel slightly embarrassed by the fuss but to be honest it couldnt have come at a better time!!! So so so happy

Thanks everyone xxxxx Adem, I am a very reactive person just one comment can turn my mood inside out...maybe you are right and i have a problem with perspective but its just how I am and I think how alot of people doing academic work also seem to be. I think we all live with so much criticism (not always bad) that we start to over analyse and second guess hence why we find it harder than most to get that perspective. Thankyou huge amounts to everyone who has left a nice comment...just as one bad word makes me down just one nice word really really counts hugs to you all xxxxxxxxxxxxx

Colds still here and showing no sign of leaving anytime soon. One of my twins also now has chicken pox

I just found out my essay won the ESRC battle of ideas competition!! Wicked or what?? Certainly helps lift flagging spirits!!

Cheers chaps, yes I am in my second year but now a week later all is right again and I am getting back into it!! Just goes to show never ever act on instinct, get a perspective and it all works out...just apart of the rollercoaster that is academic life. Thanks for listening and responding xxx