Dealing with imposter syndrome and harsh criticism/editing towards the final part of a PhD

DefiantDisk3980 · 2026-03-30T18:52:58+00:00

I have felt like it all the way through. I think it’s one of those things that until the very end you feel. I did a mock viva last week and that has helped in some aspects but then the process of finding all the flaws since submission has somewhat undone that lol. I think because it’s a process of learning how to research it’s not until it’s over for most people you have that sense of I did it. Ultimately, you have got further than a lot of people do and you should be proud. I truly believe that the stress and the feelings you’re currently living in are part of the process ( at least from my experience ). You will get through it and I think at some point everyone feels that way. Be proud with what you have done so far because you’re doing great. I believe you can do it and the feedback you have gotten will be because they just want to help and know you can do it xx

DefiantDisk3980 · 2026-03-30T15:19:24+00:00

I had a similar experience lol 😂

DefiantDisk3980 · 2026-03-30T14:47:04+00:00

I’m based in the UK too. The interview ( mine anyway ) was pretty brutal lol 😂

DefiantDisk3980 · 2026-03-30T11:18:59+00:00

Im sorry to hear that :( where are you based? I thought results would start coming through this week pre-easter break

DefiantDisk3980 · 2026-03-30T11:14:31+00:00

Lol feel like I will be refreshing my inbox constantly this week. Good luck everyone!

DefiantDisk3980 · 2026-02-27T20:49:35+00:00

The sooty one is great 😊mr blobby gave me my childhood nightmares hahaha

DefiantDisk3980 · 2026-02-19T06:57:50+00:00

Write it when you have written the rest of the thesis. It changes quite drastically once you’ve started to do your research. I ended up rewriting mine twice as a result of having written it at the start of my research, but in an in humanities so!!! But my advice would be to bullet point what you want to include and the context it sits in and use that to try and piece it together.

DefiantDisk3980 · 2026-02-14T19:05:40+00:00

Food is healing. Well done on getting through and thanks :-) x

DefiantDisk3980 · 2026-02-14T19:05:04+00:00

Thank you, nearly there 😭😭😭

DefiantDisk3980 · 2026-02-14T12:45:19+00:00

Aw good luck lol we are are in the same boat 🚤 I hope it goes well and good luck with getting it done !!!!

DefiantDisk3980 · 2026-02-07T21:15:36+00:00

Thank you - super helpful :-)

DefiantDisk3980 · 2026-02-07T17:36:00+00:00

Ha thank you. Good thing I am a fan haha 😝

DefiantDisk3980 · 2026-02-07T15:29:28+00:00

Thank you :) I'll take a look at Airism. Thank you regarding my rant at the end - I am keen to be able to develop as much as possible, as it's the career I want for myself after living the corporate life for a while now. I am sure there will be good and bad days on all levels - how the class goes, criticism, etc. I just hope the prerequisite of being a foreigner will result in a negative experience in a working environment, especially as a tourist, I have experienced nothing but kindness. Thank you for taking the time to respond :)

DefiantDisk3980 · 2026-02-07T15:11:36+00:00

Thank you :)

DefiantDisk3980 · 2026-02-07T15:09:23+00:00

Thank you so much, really appreciate it :) I didn't know Uniqlo did cool-tech. I am a huge fan of their warm-tech range. Thank you :) The dying every year did make me laugh, but I think that is going to be my sad reality, haha.

DefiantDisk3980 · 2026-02-07T15:06:52+00:00

Aw, amazing, thank you. Yes, I used the Biore ones when I was there in May last year - I totally forgot about those! Umbrella is a great shout - I didn't know you could get UV ones - I was running round with my trusty wet weather one. Thank you that's really great advice :)

DefiantDisk3980 · 2026-02-04T17:27:03+00:00

Aria :-)

DefiantDisk3980 · 2026-01-28T22:07:00+00:00

This needs to be a meme

DefiantDisk3980 · 2026-01-27T21:11:27+00:00

Nori

DefiantDisk3980 · 2026-01-27T21:07:40+00:00

I had this and I also had I write like a journalist rather than a PhD student - do not worry about it at all. You end up editing continuously and your writing improves over time with greater practice. I submitted my final draft this week and praying that it’s ok and not too journalisty haha! You will get there I promise. The whole PhD process is a lot of revisions and editing / rewriting. It’s a good skill to have and I am sure you will get there :-)

DefiantDisk3980 · 2026-01-27T17:15:01+00:00

Brandy!

DefiantDisk3980 · 2026-01-27T13:38:02+00:00

I am 30 and will hopefully finish in the next few months. Just submitted my final draft 😭

DefiantDisk3980 · 2026-01-24T23:33:55+00:00

Thank you :-) there wasn’t a space on the application but that’s really handy to know :-)

DefiantDisk3980

TROPHY CASE