I do know that there are lots of US based PhD students posting/viewing messages here. Also, the website does not say that this is exclusively for UK based students. I would like to know the opinion of other users on this. It will be great to hear about this from the moderators too.

You should introspect yourself more and find out which field of research you find more interesting. There should be great salary jobs out there in your field too, you may need to do a little more job hunting though.

You should introspect yourself more and find out which field of research you find more interesting. There should be great salary jobs out there in your field too, you may need to do a little more job hunting though.

Feeling of being overwhelmed with the project is very common among the first/second year PhD students. One common case when student gets this feeling is when the adviser does not do enough to ease the PhD transition for fresh students. Remember that the Profs and some others you meet might have been working in the field for decades, that's why their level of knowledge may be much higher. You should make a long term plan for your PhD, set up regular meetings with adviser, if possible discuss about the turn around time so that you will have a time frame in mind by when you can graduate.

Narmada, your message is highly relevant to this forum. I do not agree with the person who mentioned that this forum is predominantly UK based students. In fact the number of US university PhD students posting and viewing message here may be greater. My guess is that this forum is intended for PhD students around the globe.

CONGRATULATIONS!! Your accomplishment will be a positive reinforcement for many grad students..

First try to figure out if you want to spend 4-5 years doing a PhD. Find out if there are any research groups in your department whose work you (may) find interesting. Discuss with professors in your department. You may also be eligible to be a PhD student in other departments like Physics, Chemical Engineering, etc.

If you do well in your PhD work in Australia, you should be able to find a job in the US after you finish. Don't worry about visas at this stage, first try to figure out what matters to you more.

If this is the first time in your PhD life that such a disappointment has happened, or you are still in liking of your field/work, you should give it another try. However, remember that success can be found along many different paths, so don't stick to rituals and trends, keep your options open.

Do not worry at all about what you have or haven't done in your first one month of PhD. Remember PhD is a LONG journey. Try to get your overall strategy right and you will emerge as a winner. Do not worry about any initial little setbacks, wastage of time, etc. It is all very common, in particular during the first year. If your overall intentions are right, you will move ahead on the whole. This has been my experience from last 4 years of "doing" the PhD.

Actually I do.

I too feel that your background of molecular biology will be an added advantage.
I just asked if you would be using x-rays to get an idea about which world you will be in.
You will be making highly accurate measurements of structures and distributions in space, sometimes unique to the use of x-rays !

thanks Lara for the advice. The problem is that these mean advisers always give the feeling that they don't care and that they are just being hypocritical all the time and continuously trying to manipulate the student, which they very strongly feel that is in the benefit of the student. So even if they actually don't have a problem with this being the final year, they just don't want to accept it now. While this tactic may have its benefits, this creates a feeling of insecurity for the student. In my case I am beginning my 5th year now, and really want to graduate sometime in 2009. Even though I will make it happen, I just wished the adviser was a little more supportive and open in terms of discussing a tentative date to avoid the unnecessary insecurity feelings. I don't mind the stress from working hard, but this feeling of insecurity of not knowing when you will graduate, this can be quite irritating sometimes.

paulknit,
Actually your suggestion is great!
That exact thing may be little hard to do, but I think along those lines there may be a solution...

If you find it difficult to find an idea that excites you, don't worry, this is a very common concern among the prospective grad students.
You should meet the professors if possible, such meetings will help you in finding the place where you can do great work, and if lucky you will be having fun too...

If you are not sure what you are getting into, you should make sure now. Life will be great later if you spend some effort now to find out about the students there, the culture, the professors in the department, etc.