AerialistPhD

I wish I had some more time too myself...It just feel like I have blown all my chances away at the moment. Good luck with your thesis though!

I have had a similar situation with my advisor giving articles and vague advice rather than constructive comments on the paper itself. I also have a deadline to finish my thesis and I have a similar sentiment with my family and not wanting to disappoint. Right now my solution is to push through and just get it done (then re-apply to other schools for PhD). That is easier said than done, I have severe writers block going on right now so I will be listening for any advice that comes your way!

I'm definitely on the lower end of means compared to 99% of students I meet, and while other student's family's affluence is never blatant, there are hints. Sometimes, it's how nice of a car they drive or how much they spend on food. Sometimes, it's the clothes they wear; I doubt anyone of lesser means has a closet full of Patagonia. Sometimes, it's passing mentions of what their parents do for a living.
I generally just nod and hold my tongue. It does feel as if they live in another world. Peers of mine will mention in passing that they didn't grow up with much money, yet their second breath notes how their parents can only pay their rent, not their tuition. Or they'll comment that their 'really old, junky car' is only 2-3 years old and probably cost more than my student loan debt when new.
I genuinely wonder how these people will do after graduation.

I have a similar experience where even professors have trouble believing that students are genuinely struggling to make ends meet. I have had a professor complain to me about the school accepting MA students who work when only partial scholarships are offered to some  MA students and the others must work/live off of loans/receive parental help. I am one of the students working 2 part time jobs (for more flexibility in my schedule) in order to pay bills, etc. Everyone is different and we wouldn't be who we are without different circumstances and upbringings, but I definitely get the frustration that comes with a lack of understanding about different socio-economic status lifestyles. 

I'll be 27 when I start -- applying this fall too, so if you consider yourself old, I'd be ancient!