Thank you so much for your replies. I'm currently looking into talking to the independent graduate advisor and trying to sort this mess out. In the meantime, I am just trying to keep my head above water by getting my supervisor the results he so desperately seems to want. No one in my department can understand his harsh attitude towards me and it is doing nothing for my confidence. However, I'm determined that he won't drive me out!!!!

Hi, I was just wondering if you lovely people could provide me with a bit of advice...I've been doing my PhD for a few months and to be honest it has been a nightmare from day 1. I was prepared to work hard but my supervisor is expecting me to work a 60+ hour week and wants results as soon as possible. He has threatened me with being thrown out and says that i'm not committed enough even though i have no life anymore, don't see my friends or family anymore and quite frankly have no quality of life whatsoever. Also, he doesn't really believe in allowing me time to read to inform my research. I really don't know what to do :-(.

p.s. good luck to you all with your phds x x

thank you for your replies, they really are of some comfort. i still feel awful about the whole thing but knowing that i am not the only one in this position gives me some hope that everything will work itself out. i think it is probably a combination of things as well as the PhD that is contributing to feeling like this but i am just going to keep pluggin on with it and see where it takes me. once again, thank you so much xx

i've just started my PhD and it is quite quickly becoming obvious that i am so far out of my depth that i feel truly awful. my project is far removed from my original degree and i have no grasp of the basics of my area. i really feel that i am fighting for my academic life and i do not seem to be able to impress upon my supervisor the gravity of the situation. so here i am, reaching out to you in a desperate attempt to gain some perspective. please help me!

i am also suffering with a cold i feel so ill...

"Why then, does the proportion of students gaining 2:1s or higher every year remain more or less static (except for the ex-polys who dish them out like confetti)?"

Sorry to get slightly off topic but I've just been struck by this comment while reading the messages left so far and I feel I must defend the 'ex-polys'. I believe this is a rather sweeping statement which is extremely unfair. Coming from an 'ex-poly' myself, I can certainly say that my university did not hand out the top grades like confetti, my friends and I worked extremely hard for our degrees and I know that I gained my 1st as a result of a lot of blood, sweat and tears. It really annoys me when people believe that ex-polys are all glorified sin bins for the educationally inept. My uni provided me with an excellent education and I am proud to be undertaking my PhD in the same institution.

Wow saxonwhittle, I thought you had stole my identity for a moment. I also was due to start a PGCE this september and am also in sciences (molecular bio and analytical chem). I got a 1st as well. I had considered a PhD but didn't have any luck in my applications and kind of settled to go into teaching. However, after grad a PhD came up at my uni and I got it. My feeling is that a PhD is a unique opportunity whereas a PGCE can be done at anytime (I know my friend's mum has just qualified at 48). Go with what you feel is right. Good luck!

hi, i'm not from aberdeen but i'm up north in newcastle.

Well done My supervisor sent me some papers today which has made me more excited to get started!!

p.s. thanks to everyone who has replied :)

Well done to everyone else! I'm going to be doing my PhD in Molecular Biology and Organic Chemistry (Biocatalysis). Definitely going to be enjoying my last few weeks of freedom (with a little light reading ;) xx

Hi everyone,
This is the 1st time I've posted but I'll probably be spending a lot more time on here...I start my PhD in September!!! It is a fully-funded studentship so I am over the moon. I'm still in shock but can't wait to get started :)