I am suffering from anxiety and have lack of confidence when it comes to PhD. To achieve this milestone was always my ambition and I had all the needful qualities but like any other woman coming from a humble Pakistani family, my parents got me married. Then for the next 10 years all my life my circling around one thing, to make it work for my parents and for my kids. But unfortunately it didn't work out.

On my career front I just kept my job as Lab Engineer at an Engineering University and completed my Master's under lot of stress.

Now I am 36 and separated. But facing a lot of difficulties in getting a phd scholarship. I don't know if its my age or my resume which doesnt show impressive research background.. I don't want to start here in Pakistan as under my circumstances that is going to be another challenge.But at the same time I feel I am not good enough..

I just want to know is there any hope at this age??should i give it up?
I am under a lot of stress as I have a job in academia and need PHD to extend my career.

I am about to graduate with a PhD. I knew at a very early stage that I should not get married if I want to get a PhD. We are not allowed to have maternal leave and wedding leave without the permission from the supervisors in terms and conditions of studentship/funding.
I think that if you want to reduce the time constraints, you should ask the relatives to help to take care of kids during your school life.

I am 48 about to start a phd. I think there are a lot of family challenges in your message. Family support does help but sometimes you just need to be a bit selfish. I think I would start by analysing very carefully what benefits you will get out of doing the phd. From an academic point of view a phd is not the same as a masters. Its a long road - more like project management and critical analysis skills it seems to me. If you are looking for motivation at this stage that is not a good place to start. You need to be super motivated. If you meant you are lacking confidence then that is something else. Lots of people lack confidence. Start perhaps by reading other phd thesis in your field you'll get a feel for what is produced at the end of a phd then ask yourself if you feel you could produce something similar with some guidance. You arent supposed to know everything at the start.

I did my mphil in history I want to pursue a phd degree from America...i want to ask do I need to enroll myself in masters programme first to do phd?