I've just realised this morning - I think that being at the house all the time is making me depressed. I woke up this morning feeling completely uninspired and didn't want to get out of bed. I got so fed up that I got dressed and left the house immediately. I really need a solution to this. My house is getting me down! I think it would be different if I was living in a cozy house that was more spacious.

Hey Cryo, feel free to share your story, if you like. Sim, do you find working in the same office as your sup makes you work harder? Olivia, you deserve a break after your write-up, well done! I wouldn't feel guilty about taking the day off after such an accomplishment. Bellaz, I'm certain I'm doing it all wrong too, but I don't think we'll realise until later. Sorry if I left anyone out, difficult to reply without seeing the thread as you're writing your response!

Cheers for asking xeno! I'm doing PhD admin today, so it's a bit lighter. I went to bed last night feeling so tense, had to have a couple of glasses of wine to chill me out a bit. My back is always in pain, particularly my shoulder muscles. They're in constant knots. I jokingly asked the librarian for a massage today...didn't go down well

£150 library fine! I returned a book but the system didn't register it Unfortunately, it was an expensive edition. Typical.

I was talking to another PhD student yesterday who has the luxury of escaping to a second home. His friend is away all week in London and has given him the key to his house so he can go there whenever he likes (except for weekends). Sounds nice huh?

I can totally empathise with you xeno! I'm also having trouble with this. I'm getting frustrated with being at home all the time, but then when I get to uni all I want to do is go home again! I tried to study at the library, but I found I was distracted by the lack of noise (sound strange?) I really need to have my tunes playing away while I'm working, helps me focus and makes me feel like there's life around. I went through a period of spending quite alot of dosh studying in coffee shops. If I had my choice, that's where I'd do most of my work. Anyone have any enlightening solutions?

Cheers guys! I'm one of those all or nothing sort of persons. I can honestly say that it's a 'nothing' period for me right now--there's nothing happening in my brain! It's like I'm collating data, and taking notes on it, and just not engaging with it at all! At the moment, I'll finish a text, and then have no idea what it was about, like I'm reading it in zombie mode. I thought I'd write a synopsis of each text when I finish reading it, but I get to the end and simply can't be bothered!

Hi everyone. Sorry for the moaning thread, just really need to vent to people who understand. I'm meant to be working on a piece for my supervisor but I'm getting nowhere. The problem is I don't know exactly what the hell it is I'm trying to say! I've got all the data in front of me, and it's just a big blur. I keep having botched attempts at starting it, then get disheartened and abandon it for days. My body aches all over from sitting at my desk, and I'm so knackered. Blah, blah freakin blah! I'm having one of those despondent days where even taking a shower seems like too much effort. Anyone get what I mean?

Hmmm, I've encountered the same figures as xeno regarding drop-out rates. Whilst that is scary, there is no way of knowing how these figures are amassed and precisely what they are based on, and admittedly they are conjoined with the 'failure to submit on time' figures. Anyway, I really don't pay attention to figures, or I'd be even more anxious than I already am!

Thanks to everyone for the fantastically uplifting support. When I signed up to this forum, I had no idea just how supportive it would be. I've been trying to combat feelings of uselessness this week by doing other PhD stuff. When I've not been in the mood for research, I've been doing stuff like typing up my notes and organising my materials. I've been finding that this helps to feel as though I'm doing SOMETHING towards the PhD. It's been great to hear about your experiences, cheers for sharing!

Is it common to be feeling like this in my first year?

I've really been struggling, with no one to talk to about how I'm feeling. Sometimes I write my feelings out, but that isn't always helpful, as there's no one to feedback from. I'm feeling quite lost right now. I can't even describe the rollercoaster of emotion to anyone, though I know you all would understand implicitly without even having to explain.

Hi everyone--I'm in the first year, and I'm quite surprised at how many hurdles I have already faced. I know that sounds silly, but I just assumed that the first year was fairly smooth, with the real pressure coming in the years to follow when the write up of the thesis and other demands start to bear down. I feel as though I've wasted so much time, and am frustrated with myself for not setting myself strict deadlines. I haven't done nearly as much research as I should have by this point, and have written very little. I would love to hear from others who have found themselves in the same position, and how you are coping now. All of you on the forum have been so supportive, and I'm so thankful you're all here!

I was talking to a guy yesterday who finished his PhD three years ago and has still not landed an academic post of any kind. He told me that this is a bad time to start a PhD with all the intense changes that are happening in academia. I realise that everyone's journeys are different, and that I shouldn't let what I hear affect my own path, but I walked away from that conversation feeling deflated. I'm wondering if the PhD is a career limiting move! The thing is, I'm not that bothered about career, but then again, I dread the thought of finishing the PhD and finding that it has no relevance anywhere.

I have to agree with you bellaz. I'm starting to realise this now. When you're worried about other people, it completely drains your energy and leaves you feeling discouraged. Partners can either be one of two things: extremely supportive and therefore beneficial when it comes to dealing with the stresses of the PhD, or completely unsupportive and actually accentuate the stress!