Allow me to offer a little background information before I get into my whole spiel. I'm a 26 year old female and I'm just finishing up my first year of PhD studies. I did very well as an undergrad and had a 4.0 during my MA. I got accepted into this PhD program with a supervisor at the top of his field and a scholarship for the first two years. My PhD is interdisciplinary (literature & philosophy). I feel like the program is eating away at my soul.

I adore my program and the research. However, my self doubt and constant feelings of panic and anxiety are beginning to take a hold of me. They are interfering with my work, I often procrastinate because I keep doubting myself and I'm petrified to start things. I know about imposter syndrome but I often feel that it is beyond that. I literally feel as though I am too stupid for this program. My supervisor mentions texts in our conversations that I have never read and I feel stupid for not having encountered them during undergrad and grad school. I feel as though everyone is more advanced than me. They are better writers, they are smarter and better at research. I've had a lot of publications but mostly in the field of creative writing. I've only published two academic papers so far.

Now I'm starting my second year in the Fall and so far the only thing I've done is read a bunch of research, write some papers, and complete my mandatory 5 courses. I haven't done comprehensives and my supervisor doesn't think it's a rush to do so. I don't know if I'm falling behind or not. Do people usually do comprehensives in their first or second year of PhD studies? I'm petrified that I've fooled everyone and/or they let me in out of pity. What if I fail my comprehensives? What if I pass them and then fail to write a good dissertation?

Hello everyone,

My name is Angel and I'm currently a first year interdisciplinary PhD student at the University of New Brunswick in Fredericton. I'm 25 years old and enrolled at UNB directly after completing my MA. The timetable I received for my program states that the first year should basically just be taking courses. I'm currently taking three courses and will take two more next semester before I begin considering my comprehensive questions. However, there are some first year interdisciplinary students in my classes who state that they have already started writing their proposals and working on thesis chapters. Should I be starting this by now? My supervisor says it's too early but I'm starting to worry as most students seem more advanced, experienced, and older than I am.

Perhaps it's just a lack of confidence, but I'm beginning to worry that I'm not doing enough during my first semester. Any advice?

I've sent my application in, and I'm currently being considered for the English Lit. doctoral program at UNB (University of New Brunswick) in Fredericton Canada. I'm just so nervous and riddled with anxiety. This is my dream school and I will be crushed if I don't get in. What do YOU think my chances of being accepted are?

My MA GPA was 3.8, I got three AMAZING letters of recommendation (one from my undergrad professor, one from a graduate professor, and the other from the professor who supervised my MA thesis). Also, I've presented workshops at two conferences and I've had multiple fiction and non-fiction works published in books and literary magazines. The only issue I have is that I haven't had any actual research published yet. Do you think they wont accept me because of this?

Also, my research interests/ideas are VERY different and original, will this count for or against me?

I'm a 24 year old female currently residing in Maine. As we speak, I am finishing up my Master's program. I'm also researching possible doctoral programs. The only problem is, I cannot relocate due to familial obligations and my current career. I would like to obtain my PhD in English Literature through distance education. I know University of Birmingham offers this option. However, I cannot find any other schools who do, and I do not want to apply to only one school. Does anyone know of any legitimate schools which offer doctoral programs in English at a distance? They do not need to be within the USA, but please, no for-profit or completely online Universities. I'm looking for brick and mortar Universities that just so happen to offer distance options.