Thanks guys, nice to know others have felt the same! Treating it like a job seems a good idea, will have to train myself to think like that. I'm sure I'll be back on here with various stresses in the future

(Continued…) I had some summer research experience and a very high mark for my final year project, though to be honest is seemed at the time like I was making one mistake after the other! I guess I feel guilty that I got in and I don’t understand fully why they didn’t? A recent email sent to the new PhD students made me a bit more scared, as it seems there’ll be students arriving from Oxbridge, so feeling out of my league before I’ve even begun.

I find my subject fascinating, but I’ve struggled with the whole ‘feeling like a fraud’ sensation throughout my degree, I’m guessing this is about to get a lot worse, so how do you keep this feeling under control? Any other tips for maintaining sanity throughout the next few years?

Hello, I think there have been many posts like this before, but I’m just seeking a bit of reassurance/others experiences, any you can give would be much appreciated!

I applied for a funded PhD (science) this year at the same uni where I have just finished my undergrad, along with 2-3 others in my class. As there were only a few places, competition was steep, and I was told initially that I was on the shortlist. It was my dream shot, the uni is very prestigious in the area, the supervisor is lovely, and I never really expected to get in. Just before the STFC deadline however I was offered a place as another candidate had dropped out .

Anyway, although I was over the moon to be offered the place, now the dust has settled, doubts & fears are beginning to creep in! In the first place, I only have a 2:1 (high) undergrad, & two of my classmates who applied, had 1st averages...