Hi Cobweb,

I'm in exactly the same boat (though I'm a single gal so I don't even have that excuse!). I am the ONLY PhD student in my subject area at the university. I'm in a shared office, however only 2 people are ever there and they're both finishing up to submit by the end of the year, so they're not going to be around much longer, and they're both researching in a completely different subject to me. Because I'm the only person doing my subject, there are no seminar groups or social groups or anything organised, and it's getting me really down. I'm getting to the point of seriously considering dropping out and reapplying to a University with a proper department for my subject next year (I'm already booked onto an open day in a couple of weeks). I've told everyone I'm giving it to Christmas, and that's what I intend to do, but the isolation is pretty much unbearable when there aren't even other students to TRY and make friends with.

Long story short, and as everyone else has said, you're not alone.

I'm two weeks into my PhD now, and I'm having serious doubts/concerns with regards to the provisions at the University I am at. Having come from a very good department from my subject, I suppose I have high standards, but I still believe that the set up here is just not adequate. Especially when I am choosing to do this PhD purely because I enjoy the subject, rather than for some sort of career progression. I feel I deserve to be a bit selfish with regards to the quality of the department I find myself in.

I chose to do this PhD because of the supervisor, and I have to admit she's been faultless. My title here really does interest me. However, I don't think that's enough to suffer three years in a sub-par department when I KNOW there is better out there.

Has anyone had any luck transferring institutions? If this is impossible, as I'm guessing it probably is, how easy is it to drop out and pick up funding somewhere else at a later date? I'm worried I'm going to really struggle to get onto another place/get funding if I get labelled a drop out, even if I'm not dropping out because I can't handle the research - that's the bit I'm enjoying!

Me again. Sad to say I'm not feeling all that much better since my last post, though I'm soldiering on in the hope that it's still just culture shock. Anyway. I spent a couple of hours in the PhD office today, and... I didn't like it. I sat there knowing I would be working far better at home. However, I'm also painfully aware of needing to be accessible etc. to the faculty. So my question is - do you guys all tend to try and keep 9-5 office hours? Would you think it a very bad plan to work from home where possible? I'm just interested to see whether you think working from home is a feasible idea or not.

Hi guys,

I started my PhD today. I had a morning of induction events, and then met very briefly with my supervisor this afternoon. She's given me a bit of research to do for Monday, where we'll hopefully have a proper meeting. It all sound very positive... and yet right now I can't stop crying. Mainly, I think I'm feeling lonely. Having spent all morning with the other new postgrads, I felt like I really didn't belong there. I've come straight from undergrad at another University, and was definitely the only person there like that. I got chatting to one guy who was only one year above me (having done a Masters) but everyone else seemed to be a lot older than me. A lot of the students were international too, and when I asked, I seem to be the only person living alone. And single. On here too I've noticed how everyone seems to have a partner.

Long story short, I should be feeling really bouyed but actually feel horrifically upset. I don't feel like I belong here, and I feel very very alone. Did anybody else have this to begin with, or should I be taking this as a warning sign?

Hi Paperdoll

Yet another newbie here. First day tomorrow - equal parts excited and terrified. Good luck!

Kat