Hi Ribenagirl!
Sounds really like a difficult situation. You say that you need to be more assertive and I think that is already a good starting point. Have you thought about seeing a counsellor? They can help you becoming clear about your needs and wants which ultimately will make it easier to be assertive. Besides, it is always good to just let it all out and have someone who really listens. I am not saying that you should start therapy. But hey, you have access to free counselling through the University and they are there for you and to help you sort out anything in your life that you might feel unsure about. It might be worth a try.

Thank you so much for your replies they were very helpful!
It feels good to know that there are people out there who have had a similar experience. I kind of had decided to be honest about it but your posts made me confident that this is the right thing to do.
I know that I will not have endless chances of doing a PhD but that is not what I want. I just want a second chance. If for whatever reason it didn't work out again then I will accept that this is definitely not for me. I also agree that having had this first negative experience I am much more aware of what I sign up for which in the end makes me a stronger candidate.

Good luck to you all in your endeavours!

Hi,
I really could do wit some help from clever people:)

I have left my initial PhD after 1 year because a lot of things went really wrong and I felt I had no other option than to leave. Many unfortunate circumstances, none of which were my fault led to this step. This really is a very long story and I'd rather not go into detail but I am now considering applying for another PhD (different institution, different country). Truth is that I like research and I am good at it. The question now is: should I be honest about my initial failed attempt or not?
I would like to be honest but feel it is very hard to explain everything that has happened even though it wasn't my fault that things went wrong (I received very positive feedback on the work I had done although it wasn't enough to transform it into a masters). Especially, saying that it wasn't my fault would raise suspicions that I might be ignorant but it's true and I have support from various people within the institution that could confirm that. On the other hand I really would like to forget all about it and move on and I don't want to bore anyone with all that crap. Of course I am also afraid that I might not get the funding if the faculty would know that I had started and given up a PhD previously.

I'd be interested in hearing from people who have quit a PhD and then started another one. Have you been honest about your previous attempt? What do other people think?

Thanks.