I’m six months into my PhD and constantly feel like I’m not good enough, even though I’ve done a Master’s and worked as a Research Assistant, and never had this issue before! I’ve moved institutions to start this PhD and while my supervisor is supportive and offers guidance, I still seem to keep getting things wrong. Feedback is kind, but I end up feeling like I’ve misunderstood or failed to meet expectations, again and again. It’s knocking my confidence and making me question whether I’m really cut out for this. Help!”
Starting a PhD can be really difficult, especially when you have moved institution, or even city/country. Firstly, it is a huge deal to be accepted onto a PhD project. It is competitive and a slog of applications. Getting to this stage is something you have achieved already, and you should be proud of yourself.
It feels stereotypical to say, but the PhD, especially the first year, is all about learning HOW to be a scientist. Most people I know, myself included, collected very little data in the first year (and even longer) of their PhD, and on reflection, used that time to learn how to plan experiments, learn new techniques, and make mistakes that allow them to develop. This is time consuming and frustrating, but it is part of the process, and you are not alone in this. At this point in the PhD, I found it useful to talk to other PhD students, of all stages, about their experiences. Whether this is through organised postgrad events at your institute, or through online forums like Dementia Researcher, it can help you to feel less alone in your current experiences.
When it comes to rebuilding confidence, reflection can be useful. For example, a simple exercise you can do is to write down a list of things that you have achieved in the 6 months since you started the PhD. These should be basic small things – maybe you’ve learned where reagents are stored, how to order consumables, the theory of a new technique, or a basic scientific fact. Each of these are things you managed to do and are an important part of the PhD process. These small things early days help to build a foundation from which you can develop.
You mention that your supervisor is supportive, which is great for moving past this difficult stage. If you feel it is appropriate in your situation, in a meeting with your supervisor, I think that you should bring up the feelings of lost confidence you are having. This does not need to be an emotional conversation, but you can mention in simple terms, that you feel like you keep getting things wrong. This should not just be about getting reassurance from the supervisor (which I’m sure they will be eager to provide), but about setting up new patterns of working that can help you feel more successful. These could include simplifying your work plan to focus on one thing at a time, or they could help you to design an experiment from start to finish, talking through exactly how you are running a protocol, so that they can help you pre-empt potential pitfalls. Alternatively, they could ask a postdoc or senior PhD student to guide you through some attempts to get your confidence back up. We all need help like this sometimes, and it is perfectly okay to ask for it. Being able to be open with your supervisors about these feelings is very mature. Specifically, you say you’re worried about failing to meet expectations. Do ask your supervisor what their expectations are – this can help you both in formulating plans and timeframes.
In my opinion, the most important thing is to share these feelings (both with supervisors, other students and friends) so that you can be directed toward helpful solutions. You have made a brave step forward doing that here and you are cut out for it!
Thank you for sharing this. What you are experiencing is incredibly common, even though it can feel very isolating. Starting a PhD often brings a steep learning curve, especially in a new institution where everything can feel unfamiliar. The fact that you have already completed a Master’s and worked as a Research Assistant shows you are more than capable, but the PhD environment often creates new and unique pressures.
One thing that might help is shifting how you measure progress. It is easy to fall into the trap of comparing yourself to others, or to some imagined standard of what a “perfect” PhD student looks like. Instead, try benchmarking against your past self. Are you learning things you did not know six months ago? Are you asking more precise questions, or tackling more complex problems? These are real signs of growth, even if they are not always immediately visible.
Feedback that feels like criticism often stings not because you are doing poorly, but because you care deeply and want to do well. It is worth remembering that misunderstanding something or needing to revise your approach is a normal part of research. Your supervisor’s support is a good sign, and their feedback is likely meant to guide you, not judge you.
Confidence grows through time and small wins. Try keeping track of the things you are getting right, no matter how small they may seem. Progress in a PhD is rarely linear, but with persistence, it does come.
You are not alone in feeling this way, and it does not mean you are not cut out for it. It simply means you are in the middle of the process, doing the work that will get you through.
Dr Clíona Farrell
Emily Spencer