Wow, you guys really dish out the advice! =)

A massive thanks to all of you, who have replied so far.
It really helps a total newbie like me put things into perspective.

The problem, I feel, is that thinking for an occupation is such a double-edged sword. A blade of joy and a blade of despair.
The blade of despair is so massively over-proportioned! At least in my case.

Nice to hear there are other people coming from a gap in academic studies.

Good luck to us all!

Cheers S

You are definitely right, support should come from my immediate colleagues. I really need to address that.
The subject seems so overwhelming though... I know nothing!

The self-motivation is the biggest thing for me. In my previous job, if you were off for 10 days sick in a year, there would be a serious issue (I never was, for that long though!)
Plus, 25 Days paid holiday a year - NO GUILT for not working!
Glorious weekends!..

Thanks again S.
Just need to hear the opinion of people who have been in a PhD position for longer than me...

Hello all,

I'm new to the whole PhD business (gave up office job to pursue my dream). Started January this year.

But the whole thing seems to be going off to such a slow start.
One week I was away on holiday and in the remaining time I have kept getting ill. Sure I've done some work, but not enough I reckon.
I also feel like I'm not good enough, I'm way out of my comfort zone.

I lucked out, I think and got a great supervisor, but somehow I find myself getting so depressed that I haven't acheived f*** all. Told him some worries, but not to the extent I feel them as I don't want to let him down.

Problem is, I haven't had too much chance to meet with others in my dept, through being ill, or working from home.
Thoughts about quitting have occurred, but obviously that's not an option. This is my dream after all!

Was wondering if anyone had any words of wisdom, or if anyne else has had problems going from "the real world" back into academia. Is this deflation so common in the first few weeks/months?

Help me out guys! =)