Thanks Claudia, Sharni and sue I'm not as upset about it anymore, though still a little confused - but you are probably right: I just got in the way of something that I didn't do.

sue, I have known my supervisor for a LONG LONG time (about 4yrs), which I think is why it was such of a shock! I met her as an undergrad and she "took me under her wing" so to speak. She supervised my undergrad work and started this year as my PhD supervisor...I guess that it's just one of those things - we are all human - even supervisors!

CONTINUED...
On top of this, she brought up the fact that I have had a number of problems with an ill family member - she said "we're both adults, we all come with baggage - deal with it". The only reason I made her aware (months ago) of the family issues was becuase I needed to take leave - I have not spoken of it since, in fact, I thought I WAS dealing with it as it hasn't got in the way of my work (she said this morning that I'm MONTHS ahead of where I need to be); I've kept up my responsibilities to my family and I'm also working casually. I just don't get it. I'm really dreading seeing her next week (a meeting she insisted on)...Not sure whether to put this down to her having a bad day or what. It was just soooooo strange & very uncharacteristic!

*end of sulk*

Had a horrible meeting with my supervisor this morning - ending with me in tears :-( She is generally a lovely lady, and we get along well, though today something turned sour...After making a huge fuss and telling me how wonderful my latest draft was, something seemed to snap. We changed topics (onto the next thing on the agenda) and I was berated about my body language as I was sitting with my arms folded (in my defence, it IS the middle of winter where I am and I was a little cold - it meant nothing more than that). I was told that my PhD isn't a "fight" (she seems to think I'm making it into one, due to my body language...) and that if I don't want it (PhD), then I should leave.

Lulu, sorry for highjacking your thread!

CC, I too have confidence issues. For me it's more that I KNOW I can do the research/write the thesis, but it's the other stuff that scares me senseless (presenting at conferences is a HUGE one at the moment!). I had a huge meltdown yesterday in the middle of a supervisory meeting! Was so overwhelmed with it all! It doesn't help that I have a lot going on in my life (outside of PhD) at the moment.

I've decided that self-doubt must just be a part of the PhD thing, but if we get through it, then the light at the end of the tunnel will be worth the struggle

I feel your pain lulu - I can't do it either

Thank you everyone You've calmed my nerves immensely! I'm going to practice, practice, practice and take myself on a shopping spree. Also, the siging thing sound great shani...will definitely have to find somewhere VERY private to do that though (I'm terrible! I'm "musically inept" which is funny considering my fiance is a musician!)

Thanks guys - I will let you all know how I go

Fluffy, Piglet & 404 thanks for your replies I am feeling much more confident about the whole thing now. I've checked out my wardrobe and I'm going on a shopping spree (my theory is if I look the part, then I'll feel the part). My aim is to finish my presentation ASAP so that I can start practicing! Tahnks so much for all your help

Thanks Piglet :) My presentation is almost complete (hopefully it will be all done this week) and then I can start practicing. Great idea about coming up with answers to possible questions - I hadn't even thought about that!!!

Thanks for the advice 404. I'm hoping that I can get over my fear of public speaking (or at least hide it!) in order to get through!

I am presenting at a conference next month and I'm REALLY nervous! I have been to one "conference" before, though it was more like a small gathering (the area I research in is fairly small). Anyway, this one is a national conference for a health-related profession which my research fits in with (even though I'm not a "healthy" person). Sooo nervous! Anyone got some advice? What to wear???? What to do????? HOW TO SURVIVE!!!!

I know how you feel. I'm 3 months in and up until last week only had a very vague idea of what I MIGHT do. Thankfully though, I've now got an idea to run with. Maybe talk with your supervisor? Tell them what you're thinking might be good, and see if they can help out??

Depends on what I'm reading. If I'm really interested in it and it's saying something different to what I've read before, then I can get through it pretty quickly, but otherwise I skim and put it in a pile to look at another day. Also, instead of writing notes, type them into the "notes" section of EndNote - when you run a search, it'll search what you've put in this section - fantastic for quotes

So true. I trust my supervisors completely. Even though I'm still new to this whole PhD thing, they both supervised me for my undergrad research work (which I completed last year). It's not a totally new relationship by any means. They enjoyed yesterday's meeting as well as they siad it is nice to see me taking more of a stand with my own stuff

Point taken Otto, however there is an element of "control" that one must have - afterall, it is NOT the supervisor who is doing the PhD, they are the guide. There is nothing wrong with being pushed out of your comfort zone, and I never said that there was. All that I said was that I felt uncomfortable with supervisory meetings. Each PhD student is different and me taking control of MY meetings is what works for me

YAY! I did it! I had a meeting today and it went swimmingly! So proud of myself. I planned an extremely thorough agenda, asked for the meeting to be in my office, and took control Haven't felt this happy after a supervisory meeting EVER!