Thanks for your reply Kikothedog,

Self funded and really unhappy! Being self funded probably gives me a luxury because I'm not worried about taking someone else's hard fought for funding.

Thanks for your reply Tudor_Queen

I think I'm not doing it for me and that's a problem. The more I read the more I know that a PhD takes commitment and passion and right now I just don't have any. I could just stick it out but I can't see the situation improving. Maybe in a few years I could try again, but right now I'm kinda burnt out. Better to leave now before the work begins than in a year or two when I'm in the thick of it.

Hi,

I have recently enrolled for a PhD (full time, self funded) and the very thought of it makes me a nervous wreck.

I went straight from secondary school to my undergraduate degree and then into a masters programme. Within a month of completing my masters dissertation I was enrolled in the PhD. I've never had a proper job or been out of education and I feel like I'm suffocating from all this and want to get out into 'the real world'...

It was me that approached my lecturer and supervisor about the PhD and they were supportive of the idea and said we'll discuss it when the masters was done. Even then the doubts began and haven't really went away since.

The topic and title were chosen for me by my supervisor and they are advising me how to best approach it. They have been absolutely amazing with their support and though I do want to leave it already I keep stopping myself because I feel like I'm betraying them somehow. Problem is the topic is not interesting to me and when I think of other topics none come to mind. Absolute mental block.

I have work due for the end of this month but I simply can't write or read a word related to this topic. Is that normal? I have no interest in it whatsoever and that is really strange for me as I'm usually all steam ahead with work.

I also have a presentation due in January relating to it and the thought of it makes me almost physically sick. I've never had this kind of problem before and am truly lost.

I talked to my supervisor about my difficulty writing but he kinda brushed aside my words and discussed the plan in more detail. I have talked to my parents and they say do what makes me happy but it is clear they'd be divas appointed if I gave it up.

Any advice?