======= Date Modified 10 Oct 2012 15:23:31 =======
Quote From imantawhid:
hi, Thank you all for your reply.
I am now just getting into my second year of my PhD and i guess i feel extremely frustrated and just tired. It has taken me 1 year to complete a western blot, (which honestly should have taken 1 month) but every time all i faced were problems. My supervisor is really nice but she hasn't a clue about the technique and I feel like i have been dropped in the deepest end of water! I began my PhD straight after my undergraduate degree and i feel no where near intelligent enough or capable enough to continue. I know it sounds silly, but i handed in my draft introduction for my transfer from MPHil to PhD and my supervisor literally wripped it to shreds. I explained that i had never done a report like this before and she was really nice about it - but it felt to me like she was thinking 'why did i pick her, i could have picked somone that would have done way more work by now'
I really cannot see myself at all being able to write or even complete any work to the level of phD standard. I feel anxious whenver i think i have to come to university, i went home and sat in my room for 2 hours crying alone after my draft was handed back to me. I didnt have anyother PhD students to turn to as they all treat me like a child because i am young and havent had much experience.
Im really sorry about this rant, and any advice would be appreciated. I know many students say that is exactly how they felt,but i have a PhD student that works in the same lab who is constantly doing new experiments, his results work, he is reading papers all the time, he even told me he doesnt like to socialise as he likes to focus on his PhD and therefore does not need friends :/ (he only started his PhD at the start of Oct)
:(
Thank you again
Hello ImanTawhid,
I think I know exactly how you feel.
First, what I can say is distant yourself from the PhD student. I don't think he will be of any use to you other than demotivating you further. I would think that it's better you find your own (personal) way rather than asking people like that to guide your PhD, which is of course personal to everyone (I would believe)
Level of PhD standards? I know that I'm just in my first year but I don't think that there's a meaning to that phrase really. Different people see this 'standard' differently. What's the best thing to do is to follow how the people in your field write things and build your writing from there - that's what I do and my supervisors seemed to be OK with it. I feel anxious every-time as well but I would think it's normal - I try to tell myself if the supervisors say something -ve about the work, take it constructively or at least argue base on the facts. I don't have anyone to turn to but the internet lol. So we are in the same boat; care to share boats? : p
Why do you think your supervisor would think that way? I mean picking her as your supervisor? Mind me asking?
I hope some of the things I said could help you a bit. I'm truly sorry that you're in the situation. I truly could appreciate how difficult it must be for you.
*hugs*
