Hello friends! I need some advice..

I have begun my PhD in July 2013 in Australia. Its been only three months and I am already demotivated and depressed. I came to AUS as a self-funded student. My supervisors suggested that publishing 1-2 journal articles will increase my chances of getting a scholarship. Scholarship application was due in Oct 2013. So instead of working on my thesis, my full attention was diverted towards writing a journal article. I managed to write one out of my MSc dissertation and luckily, it has been accepted by a journal. Second paper is mid-way....But during the whole process of writing a journal article, I was was not too happy. I come from a different education background, with hardly any statistics and research background. Every meeting with my supervisor and his other students was demotivating. Every meeting made me realize that I am way behind others and I will have to fly not run if I want to be in the game...

Now my confirmation seminar is nearing..in March/April 2014... I hardly have any time. I am just a beginner in statistics (I will be doing advanced time-series analysis in my thesis) and since I have not worked much on my thesis, I lack knowledge of existing literature's in my area of study. I am trying hard to push myself, but I am a slow learner. So even putting in 6-7 hours a day seems very less.

Above all this, I am doing my research sitting at home as I am primarily working with an external supervisor, who is based far from my university. Since my interactions are more with him, I stay close to his university. So I travel once a month to my university for prints or any other assistance. This makes me feel left out, I don't get opportunity to interact with other PhD students, and no updates on whats happening in my department..

I have heard that the first few months in PhD is the honeymoon phase, but my flight has not yet taken off. I do not feel any enjoyment, enthusiasm or motivation now, but I don't want to quit. I want to pull myself together, enjoy my research, feel the joy of new knowledge and get engrossed in it. Somehow, I can't seem to come out of this, I am trying since more than a month now..please advice what can I do?

Try reading Andy Field's "Discovering Statistics Using SPSS" or
"SPSS Survival Manual" by Julie Pallant?

Dear distressed gurl,

Wow you really need to just take a pause and rationally think things through:

1. It's only been three months
2. You are delving into territory you are unfamiliar with (statistics and regressions, etc…)
3. You found yourself in a situation in which you needed to focus on publications.

You are already, in a sense, ahead of many 1st year PhDs in that you have a publication out so congratulations. I finished my PhD and whilst I had to revise a publication that I'm hoping will be accepted soon, I haven't published anything yet. Moreover, you're working on a second publication- may not feel like it but this will be extremely useful later on as you near the end of your PhD.

In the meantime, here are a few suggestions:
1. Don't isolate yourself at home. Go to the library (university not department one) if it exists: this way you won't be surrounded by other students in your field and you can work effectively. Trust me, working at home and being isolated is not a good idea.
2. Have you considered changing supervisors? Seems like you don't like your supervisor much- you can't keep relying on the external. Consider this if possible.
3. 1st few months of PhD is NOT the honeymoon phase: I spent the first 6 months of my PhD with NO TOPIC!! I was just there not knowing what to do- in three months I was forced to do lit review and write an assessment report which I defended in June. Point is: don't force yourself to learn: the urgency of the situation will prompt you to work as hard as you can without going overboard. It's hard to explain but that's been my experience.
4. If you're doing econometrics I'd recommend Christopher Dougherty's "Introductory Econometrics" if u have no background- that's the text used in LSE Econ courses and whilst it's been over 10 years, I must say it turned me into a stats superstar.

Good luck.

hi there
please try not to worry--it seems overwhelming now.
if you feel that you don't have time, use whatever time you have now to prepare specifically for the confirmation seminar because you need to pass it to continue your phd.

I assume that by now you would have made some friends--so you can actually discuss statistics with your colleagues. This will especially help you nearer to your viva when you may be asked questions on your results/statistical tests etc. Also, look for a statistician at your school, there should be at least one specific person to help students with their analysis.

As for learning statistics, I would advise you to watch youtube videos because there are pretty good ones out there. Bookmark them so that you can watch them over and over. Sometimes there are questions and comments and answers which are really helpful. Make sure you write down notes about statistics topics--for example what does the t-value in multiple regression tell you, at least you can go back to them later during the phd. I promise you that your notes will help you in the long run.

love satchi

You have a publication, within three months of starting the PhD?! Wow! That is seriously impressive, and so I am sure that you will easily pass your upgrade now that you have the time to work on it! Keep going, that's a really good start (although it might not feel like it!)

Thanks a ton, incognito! Your words are much motivating. I know I sound quite overwhelmed right now. The reason being, my external supervisor keeps pushing me to finish my PhD in two years since I am a self-funded student. I agree that he is talking for my benefit, but I don't think I can do it in two years. It is too much pressure. I want to enjoy this journey and not just run for the sake for finishing it. I feel too much depressed because of his constant feedback, his words are not motivating to me and I am quite hesitant to confront him.

I am considering your suggestion of going to university library. There are two other university libraries nearby, hopefully I will start going to one soon. Feeling a bit relaxed to know that I am not in this alone, you were once in the same situation and you have managed to come out well. I hope I can mange it well to. You have rightly mentioned that 'urgency of the situation will prompt you to work as hard as you can without going overboard'. I work my best in such situations, although I really want to give my best otherwise too..

Many thanks for the econometrics book information. I am advised to read Damodar Gujarati 'Basic Econometrics' by my supervisor. I will refer to Christopher Dougherty's 'Introduction to Econometrics' as well.

Thanks a lot for the encouragement and good luck to you!

Thanks Dr satchi! It is a good suggestion to refer youtube videos. Let me try that..thanks! By the way, many congratulations on your successful pass, Dr satchi :)

It seems that you are from Melbourne rather than Sydney.
Anyway, you may also join RATS discussion forum.
Seriously, enjoy the honeymoon phase first...