jeb2433

Hi All, I am a first year PhD student in the humanities. I recently received a solicitation to submit a chapter for a new anthology. The request is based on some research I did in a project I have since moved on from. I am still in the same broad sub-field, but have move to an entirely different theme. It's all above board, academic publisher, respected in the field editors, etc. Two questions. 1) I am really unfamiliar with academic etiquette. Should I consult with my current advisor before coming to a decision? 2) Is there any disadvantage to publishing something outside your present project? Thanks!

Hi All, I am a first year PhD student in the humanities and I have been struggling with participation in seminars. More specifically with articulating my opinions/thoughts with any clarity. In the seminar I am having the most trouble with we have to post every week to a course blog, which the professors then pull from during the seminar. The professors like my points and will bring them up in seminar, but when they do I just fall apart. My brain no longer functions, sometimes I trail off in the middle of a sentence. I have so much to say about the texts but it just flies away when I am in the seminar room. It's awkward and not getting better. In fact every week it gets worse because I put more pressure on myself. I think it's a combination of two things: 1) I made a huge jump in terms of prestige in this program (from a state school to an ivy league, i am also non-traditional, first generation, absent parents,homeless off and on growing up, etc). I think I just feel so much less "shiny" than my peers, many came from Ivy leagues, most have studied abroad, they are well read and at ease talking about books (I never had a 10 min conversation about a book let alone a 3hr seminar before grad school), comfortable networking and confident in their opinions. I know intellectually I didn't fake my way in, but I don't know how to feel it. So in short: imposter syndrome. 2) I also think I have issues with anxiety and possibly mild depression. I have an appointment to see a therapist to try and deal from that angle. My question for you all is should I approach the professors for the course to give them a sense of what is going on? I met briefly with one of the two early in the semester and he asked me why I did not participate very much, and said my blog posts were among the best. I told him I was shy and a little frustrated with my performance, and he gave me a few tips but I have not improved...I've gotten worse. I guess I just want them to know I want to do better, but I have hit a roadblock and don't know how. I have no interest in telling them my life story (I can't possibly be the only student with this sort of background) or that I am dealing with anxiety and maybe depression, but I was thinking of just going in and saying I am struggling with this, do you have any tips/strategies/suggestions for being more articulate. That way they know I know it's a problem, but I am not oversharing. Thanks!