good to know its not just me,

and good luch for tomorrow KB. hope all goes well.

I wonder if anyone has looking into the effects of the PhD on the student.

I have just experienced my worst self doubt, paranoid phase of the PhD so far. Have had a bit of a freak out over this past few weeks, partially as I am very aware of the fact that I have 4 months left to go, partially due to me feeling that my thesis is not that great at all, partially relating to my data and its quality, doubting my supervisors, and what I would have done differently if I had it all to do over again.



Anyway had a mass wobble and have been feeling very low, weepy etc.



I know logically that my data is fine, my supervisors are great, within the 4 months I can get my thesis to a submitable state, etc. however the paranoia kicks in and logic goes out the window.



Just thought I would put it out there for others to share their experiences.

I plan to submit in September, and so am in the process of writing up at present. I just had my annual review and it knocked the wind out of my sails. Previously these reviews have been a formally to check that I am happy with my supervisors and they are happy with me, and no nasty surprises. However this one was weird, seemed to be going fine, the convenor had lots of questions, I thought I dealt with them ok, I was then asked to leave the room while the convenor spoke to my supervisors, I was outside the room for ages, then I was asked to go back in, there was no mention of what had been discussed. The review continued on to completing the necessary paperwork for the faculty, all still appeared fine. The final page of the paperwork was for the convenor to summaries the recommendations of the review, he began by commenting that I should continue on making good progress towards submission, then the weird bit. The convenor got very funny, mentioning things that obviously had been discussed while I was out of the room, suggesting that all drafts be sent to my supervisors (they have them all already) and that all my raw data sent to my supervisors for them, to look at, as the analysis is not up to much. That I should meet with my supervisors asap to go over this before I write or rewrite anymore. He also mentioned something about not having enough for a PhD in a very vague way. I have felt that I have had a good relationship with my supervisors and have offered my data for them to look at before and was told it was not necessary, they have never mentioned any concerns about the lack of PhD worthy info. I am really confused. It totally took me by surprise and I was not given any opportunity to comment on it at all. I am now really worried about failing and only have 4 months to try and do something about it. Why have my supervisors never mentioned any of this to me before?
I now have no idea if any of my research or the 60000 words I have written are any good at all.