Damn laptops...I really have to bash the keys

I was in the same situation and I left. I left on good terms and should get a good reference. Wether I can secure another PhD or not is a different matter.

I had reservations about my PhD from one just hope dropping out hasn't wreked my chances of doing what I realy want to do. Hindsight is a wonderful thing.

I hope you could make sense of that last message. Watching TV doc ..

(part 2)
If you are going to leave do it in the right way and be honest and open with your supervisor.

At the end of the day you need to make the choice that is best for you, but bear in mind everyone has up and downs during their PhD. If will be able to distinguish between the too (well I could). Sorry for my babble, hope it was useful in someway.

(Part 1)
Well I have not actually obtained another PhD yet. But I am keping my fingers crossed for interviews. I have heard of other people dropping out and gaining another PhD but they had to really convince the supervisor. This shouldn't be to hard if you rally have a passion for the subject. My situation was slightly different as I was not very interested in my field of research, so am looking for projects in a different area. Personally I can not afford to do a Masters so I am not applying.

It is definatley, worth talking the issues you have over with your supervisor. It may not be as scary as you imagine it wasn't for me people were very supportive. Supervisors will try and push you, but their methods may not always be suitable or correct your supervisor telling you "you dont have what it takes" may be hers/his way of pushing you. This approach does/did not work for me and makes my performance worse.

I dropped out of my PhD it was a hard decision to make but I am glad I made it. I really feel motivated again now and cannot wait to start a new project. If you really can't finish your PhD or it is not for you it is best to leave and find happiness.

MichaelA I am in the same situation I have done almost a year of PhD however I have been unsure since day 1 (it was the only project I had offered). I really believed I could motive myself and that it would be worth sticking it out for the qualification, however in reality this was not the case. I feel like a complete looser and like I am letting everyone down including myself. I am begining to have lots of self doubts, like "what if I am not capable of obtaining a PhD?" and "would I have the same problems regardless of the PhD project?" "Maybe its just me, I feel useless?" I am now applying for new projects, problem is there are no projects in the field I am interested in close to where I live and my wife dosn't want to relocate. I feel like I am loosing everything. I don't think dropping out should be seen as a negative thing afterall I got accepted on my last PhD. Hope it all works out! Wish me luck! And MichaelA I'll keep you posted as to what happens.

I wish you could preview messages before you post them

At the end of the day it depends on your own happiness and mental health. If you are truly unhappy and cant cope it is best to leave. Especially if you are in your first year. A PhD isn't necessarily the holy grail. Unless youre the best of the best it seems pactically imposiable to continue in academic research anyway, most first time application grants fail.. The future sounds bleak.....

unless of course I secure my ideal PhD'ship or get a different change my career path all together. Time is running out I am fastly approaching my thirties!

Admittedly, the project was not my first option but it was the only project I had offerd. In hindsight I shouldn't have taken it and I should have only settled the project in the area I wanted (even if it had meant waiting for years). Leaving will probably destroy my chances of getting a PhD anywhere else as academia can be quite incestious. So, my best advice is only settle on a project you want to do and free yourself from bad superviors.

The relationship with your supervisor is a two way thing. If one is unhappy then the best option is to part company, providing you haven't almost finished(i.e get out while you still can). I have had many discussions with my supervisor and confided in him about my worries, but to no avial (he never delivers). I do struggle with the work as I have not covered it before in my undergrad course but instead of getting support I am made to feel stupid. This is further exacerbated by the small talk which goes on behind my back. If things are going wrong in the begining then they are bound to get worse. I am leaving while I still can...(continued)

My last comment was uncalled for, I should remain professional and not make personal attacks on my supervisor. Just very frustrated and stressed, sorry folks.

Ditto

MichaelA, I am in exactly the same situation. Have also been to student support etc but I am no nearer an answer. I have recently started applying for jobs as I really cannot continue. I wish I had never applied for this PhD in the first place.

I feel like my dream of doing a PhD has been runined.

BTW ive done 9mths of 3 + 1 PhD