Hi all. I am a second year PhD student looking for some advice after recently receiving comments from my appraisal monitors for my 16 month review.

First of all, I will say that they are mostly positive, my supervisor rated my progress as good, so deep down I know I am not drastically behind. However, my monitors did suggest that action was needed and raised one point for improvement on which this was based upon. I tend to be a worrier, so this has left me a bit concerned and I am worrying about achieving it and feeling like I have failed somehow. Maybe it is in part imposter syndrome, where I feel like this is proof that I am not good enough, despite the positive comments, but it has dented my confidence a bit.

Has anyone got any advice on how it is best to cope with this and how to alleviate my concerns? Or whether I should be concerned?

Focus on the good parts. You mostly got positive feedback, which is what you should be thinking about. Seek to build on your strengths rather worry about your negatives. It is difficult breaking the impostor syndrome cycle but should take compliments at face value, ie as compliments. They like your work, so what is wrong. I know you feel you can be better but your supervisor has praised your work, so it must be good enough. So I don't think you should be worried about it.