actually you're not alone. my supervisor had a bit of a huffing session a while back and told me if i went ahead with a particular idea they would not be my supervisor anymore either. i briefly considered going ahead with the idea out of badness with the logic that i don't really want a supervisor who acts like a 12 year old when it suits them, but annoyingly enough, i realised they were right about that particular idea and it should be dropped. so it may not be the best approach to getting me to do something, but i suppose in the long run it was worth it.

the closest bathroom to my office involves walking through a corridoor of the offices of my supervisor, tutor and random guy who knows my dad. I have actually begun walking up 3 flights of stairs to get to another bathroom to just avoid meeting these people and having to actually talk and admit all i've done that day was improve my minesweeper score significantly.

geez, I think I am in love with everyone of you people! I posted this message last night before I went to bed, woke up, and 1st thing I did was check this and read all your messages and you don't know how much they've encouraged me and just made me feel like less of an overemotional idiot. Perfect wake-up call. Thank you all of you!

Started PhD 8 weeks ago, and realised once every 2 weeks Ive bawled my eyes out over different worries. (not smart, sociable or motivated enough, don't understand my area, supervisor not reassuring me much, etc.) Though, I haven't hated every moment. At times I love it, the people and feel I really can do it. There are also days, (usually leading up to a howling session) when I want to run away and hide. I know these feelings are common, and I should just go talk to my supervisor/tutor/any poor guy I find on the street and pay to listen to me whine, but for a range of reasons, none are appealing at the moment. (like I said, tried supervisor/convinced tutor doesn't like me (did i mention my irritating insecurity?)/and though it would be fun to have a chat with that crazy guy hanging out on my street corner, his rabid dog may object and try and gnaw my leg off.) So, I 1st just want a general consensus on whether this is all normal(ish) behavior and the fortnightly weeping sessions will diminish or at least become more manageable, or should I be worried and start looking into anti-depressants etc.

hello. first time on the bored here and just pathetically looking for reassurance. Im graduating from my undergrad degree now (in psychology) and have just been told Im through to do a PhD next year! Im was so thrilled for a day or two as it sunk in, but now the full on terror has hit me! Im convinced its all a mistake! i scraped through my degree and came out with a 2.1 (which i know is a v good mark, but i know they usually prefer students with a 1st) and am now convinced ill be the dunce of the group and im only here on a fluke because I happened to give one good interview! but then i was browsing through the internet and reading joke sites and noticing alot of post-grad jokes are about constant feelings of inadequacy and low self-esteem. So is this actually a very common thing, to be convinced you dont belong here and does it get better or should I be worried? Sorry for rambling and being so sad and needy, but could really just use some advice from people who've been there and know what its really like! Thank you!!