I'm a PhD student at Anglia Ruskin (also in Cambridge). What problems are you having specifically? Although I haven't been here very long I really like the city

Just wanted to update everyone! I have officially withdrawn from my PhD and will be finished in a couple of weeks. Speaking to my supervisors was the most terrifying thing I've ever had to do but in the end they were understanding and even supportive of my decision. The thought of what to do next is frightening but also extremely exciting. I've learned a lot from my experience in the world of academia and have really grown up over the last 8 months. Never again will I settle for not being happy and not enjoying what I do every day. Life is just too short to spend it being afraid and trying to please other people. Thank you to everyone for their help and if anybody should find themselves in the same position as me please get in touch as I'm happy to share my experiences.

Thanks for your replies, they've been really helpful, I really appreciate it!! :-)

I've been feeling this way pretty much since day one but stuck it out telling myself I was a new PhD student and was supposed to feel terrible and inadequete for a while, unfortunately that feeling never went away!

I'm not afraid of hard work, I was aware that a PhD would require long hours and sacrifice and I was fully commited to doing that for 3 or 4 years, I think my problem is that I don't want to make those sacrifices forever. If I'm honest, from a financial point of view no I can't afford to leave now and that's an issue. I feel like running back home is a bad idea so I agree that I need a plan of action. I'm very aware of the fact that I don't want to make another major commitment before I'm sure of what I want to do but also that all of the practical experience I have is in the field I'm in now and would struggle to get paid work in some of the other career avenues I'm considering. A tentative plan that I've formulated is to stick where I am for a few months (although not many as I may lose my mind) and simultaneously gain some voluntary work experience in a field I'd like to try and hope that's enough to get a basic grade job when I come out of this. I'm also looking for jobs as I go and sending out C.Vs just on the off chance!

Hello,

So, as this is my first post on the forum I think I should introduce myself! I'm 6 months into my PhD which is roughly based in the fields of neuroscience and cell biology. I work in the U.K but just moved here in September. My degree is in zoology and I moved straight from my undergraduate into my PhD. Long story short, I want to quit. I'm finding the PhD very tough and there are number of fundamental issues with it that have brought me to the "run away as fast as you can" conclusion

1. I am not a neuroscientist! Now I realise that lots of people move down a different route when they start a PhD but I am WAY out of my depth. The problem is that nobody else in my group works on the brain, just me. My supervisors (although amazing scientists) have no experience of working in neuroscience. Because of this I've spent my time thus far "figuring things out" and "training myself" with little to no guidance. I feel stupid all the time. I knew what the project was about before I signed up but my supervisors were aware of my background and experience and I thought I would get a lot more training and support. I haven't. I think what frustrates me the most is that I chose to do a PhD so I could THINK CRITICALLY about a problem, ANALYSE it and SOLVE it. I can do none of these things due to the huge gaps in my knowledge.

2. I'm terrified of my supervisor. She's harsh, expects a LOT and we don't communicate well, need I say more?

3. I don't want to go into academia. I thought I did but now that I'm in an academic environment and see the huge sacrifices you have to make at every stage of your career I don't want it. Work/life balance is important to me and I don't think I should be made feel guilty if I leave work before 6:30. It's ridiculous!

So I guess what I'm looking for is first of all confirmation that these are valid reasons to walk away. I feel they are but as a scientist I just love an unbiased opinion! Secondly I was wondering if anybody had any advice on how to go about it. I don't want to fight with my supervisors and would like to leave things as amicably as possible, any tips?? Also, a shout out to anybody else in the same position, input from like-minded types would be very welcome!!

Thanks!!