Hi all

I'm 5 months into the PhD and feeling really down and disillusioned. I love the subject and know I'm doing the right thing, but just wonder if this is a normal post-grad feeling? I didn't take any kind of holiday or break between a very hard final year and the start of the PhD - I wonder if anyone else has done this and now just feels exhausted and demotivated?

Hi Zweena, everyone feels like that. I had about 4 months off between finishing my BSc and starting my PhD and I don't think it made much of a difference. The start of a PhD is always hard (so is the rest as it goes) because it's hard to find direction and you don't really feel like you're getting work done. It'll get better, just stick with it. Best of luck.

I'm in the same boat as you, Zweena. I'm 4 months into my PhD and it's a living nightmare. My topic keeps changing direction, I'm told different things by each supervisor and I seem to be loving it less and less.. Thought I was alone in thinking like this so it's somewhat of a relief to hear it's quite normal in the early stages - Thanks J :)

I took a year out before starting my PhD - there was no way I was ready for it straight after BSc.

Same, Zara. I'm taking a year out and will begin this fall.

Zweena, that sounds very normal, particularly in the 1st year (gap year or not)!

It may have been better to take some time off in between but now that you've started you can't take a suspension or drop out. Slow and steady might do it and try and take your weekends off so you can recharge the batteries because we all know that once you really get into it you can't take any time off.

Easter is not far away so at least you have a mini holiday to look forward to. I can remember feeling absolutely shattered after my finals too. Try not to wear yourself out by unnecessarily working too hard at this stage (as AnonPhD and J have hinted it, it gets much tougher in the next couple of years!). Take care.

Hi I'm near the end and I really regret not taking a break before as it has meant burning out at the most crucial time. Just pace yourself and have a little holiday when its convenient to you