stinkybeagle

Thank you so much for your response, everyone. I've only just now realized that there were responses to my posts. It's comforting to know that I'm not alone when it comes to this fear of "what if they read what I write and think i'm utterly stupid." At the beginning of this semester I started seeing a counselor, and she has been helping me deal with some perfectionist/self-worth issues. We'll see how helpful it's been come end of the semester and i've got 3 seminar papers to deliver. Good luck with the rest of the semester!

Happy New Year, everyone! I've been lurking on the site for a year now and have found it to be a very helpful venue. So, thought I might seek your advice. I just finished my 1st semester and a great doctoral program and I must say I survived by the skin of my teeth. I made out with a B+ in all of my seminars, but that is because I do all of my readings and contribute in class. My papers were horrible because I had to write them all last minute because I've been suffering from extreme writing anxiety. Sitting down to write fills me with a level of anxiety that i've never experienced before. I'm currently working on a paper with a prof and it takes all of my energy to write even one page. She probably thinks i'm the laziest slug that has ever walked though her doors! I've tried all sorts of behavior modification techniques like setting a specific time to write, removing all sorts of distractions, shutting down the internet. But, it just doesn't work. (Today I ended up taking a nap and starring at a blank wall for god sake!) Has anyone ever successfully dealt with this? BTW, I am planning on seeing a counselor when the semester starts next week.