I'm only 4 weeks into my PhD and it seems I have become PhD-addicted! I spend about 10 or 12 hours at University (or archives or libraries) every day and about 90% if this time is spent reading or doing something related to my research. I even go to the library and read on Saturdays and Sundays!

It's not that my department or my supervisor forces me to do so (I'm in the Humanities and don't have a schedule), it's rather that when I start to read a book or an article I tend to move towards another book or article related to it and just can't stop (don't know if that makes any sense).

The fact is, while I do enjoy the time I spend researching, at the end of the week I am TERRIBLY TIRED and although I did start other activities (joining a choir, attending English lessons, non-academic writing; I do some communication freelance work as well) that doesn't seem to help me being more recovering. I don't think I can sustain this way of life for 3 months, let alone for 3 years!

Is that normal when you are starting a PhD? Help much appreciated!

So long as you are enjoying reading, then I don't think it can do you any harm - if it becomes a chore to go to the library, then it will be a problem.

I agree with MistaG - definitely need physical exercise as well - even if it is just a walk each day for 30 minutes.

What about your social life? Is that suffering? Still need to see friends/family during your PhD.

Thank you for your answers - I do go for a walk of 60-90 minutes every day as I've been doing for years.

As for my social life, it is still a bit poor. I've moved to the UK after almost 2 years in Germany (I'm originally from Spain) and I knew virtually nobody in my new environment. So it's a bit difficult for me to go and see my family, boyfriend or friends since they are hundreds of miles away! However I do hope to meet new people through joining music ensembles, attending PhD events, etc.

I think you need to learn to pace yourself. There is no doubt that a PhD has lots of ups and downs, and believe me you will have phases later on where nothing is going right and all you do is watch daytime TV. BUT, just as just as no one is making you go into the library, there is no one to make you go home. Some people may be able to cope with sustained periods of intense effort followed by a complete break, but others will need to have more balance. If you are feeling the strain already you need to work on setting yourself boundaries and getting a balance between PhD and life. The books arent going to go away, just make a note of which ones you want to come back to and go off and do something else instead. And after all its important to have time to cogitate - when you are doing other things and not thinking about PhD stuff at all, somewhere in the back of your mind things are still ticking over and processing stuff you've read. err, or at least that is what i tell myself ...