I'm 8 months into my PhD. I'm a British student living away from family in Australia.

I am naturally quite an outgoing, sociable person. I'm chatty, and like to be around people.

I find myself feeling a little anxious for most of my day at uni.

I feel somewhat isolated, even through there are people about. It is only me doing my project.

I don't know whether what I complete in a day/week is enough - how am I supposed to know?

I have a large open ended segment of work to have complete in several months, and its hard to break it up.

I'm used to working in a team professionally, and am finding there is very little scope to work with contemporaries on the same piece of work, as in business.

I've been having confidence issues! Am I good enough!? Even through my supervisor hasn't said anything bad, and I've won grants etc.

It seems no-one else around me have the same issues.


I've struggled to sleep properly for a long time, but cant recognise any specific thing that is keeping me up!
I'm pretty chilled an happy when I'm at home.

Does anyone else feel the same way? Or has dealt with these feelings and has an effective strategy to recommend?