MichelleNero

Just a quick update:
Things are working out fairly well...so far.

I *have* followed the excellent advice from the generous folks who commented (thank you again!!!):
-spoke with the DGS
-joined a dissertation working group
-am slated to present my work in a few weeks
-have *actually* been working in earnest on it! (it's coming as a surprise to me that I'm *actually* getting stuff done sans procrastination!)
-bumped into my advisor who did seem to recognize me and be happy to see me!
-As soon as my dissertation outline is done and I've presented (two weeks from now) and gotten a little feedback from my group, I'll submit it to him as a first pass. I'm not dreading it, which is a great relief to me.
-The number of people I'm 'hiding from' is dropping as I'm getting my things submitted to them (they're folks I owe work). I'm down now to just 3!

No one batted an eyelid or has suggested jettisoning me from the program. In general, I've been surprised by the positive reception I've gotten here and there from the folks I did know.

If anyone has any doubts at all about those things we hear and disregard because they're such common common sense... These three VITAL pieces of advice have made a huge difference:
1) anything you're avoiding will get worse with neglect--and you along with it.
2) interact as much as possible with your peers in the program; don't get isolated.
3) the remedy for worry is work.

Thank you so much to those who were generous with their good advice, and also kind while being honest in rendering it.
Good luck to everyone!

Just a quick update:
Things are working out fairly well...so far.

I *have* followed the excellent advice from the generous folks who commented (thank you again!!!):
-spoke with the DGS
-joined a dissertation working group
-am slated to present my work in a few weeks
-have *actually* been working in earnest on it! (it's coming as a surprise to me that I'm *actually* getting stuff done sans procrastination!)
-bumped into my advisor who did seem to recognize me and be happy to see me!
-As soon as my dissertation outline is done and I've presented (two weeks from now) and gotten a little feedback from my group, I'll submit it to him as a first pass. I'm not dreading it, which is a great relief to me.
-The number of people I'm 'hiding from' is dropping as I'm getting my things submitted to them (they're folks I owe work). I'm down now to just 3!

No one batted an eyelid or has suggested jettisoning me from the program. In general, I've been surprised by the positive reception I've gotten here and there from the folks I did know.

If anyone has any doubts at all about those things we hear and disregard because they're such common common sense... These three VITAL pieces of advice have made a huge difference:
1) anything you're avoiding will get worse with neglect--and you along with it.
2) interact as much as possible with your peers in the program; don't get isolated.
3) the remedy for worry is work.

Thank you so much to those who were generous with their good advice, and also kind while being honest in rendering it.
Good luck to everyone!

Just a quick update:
Things are working out fairly well...so far.

I *have* followed the excellent advice from the generous folks who commented (thank you again!!!):
-spoke with the DGS
-joined a dissertation working group
-am slated to present my work in a few weeks
-have *actually* been working in earnest on it! (it's coming as a surprise to me that I'm *actually* getting stuff done sans procrastination!)
-bumped into my advisor who did seem to recognize me and be happy to see me!
-As soon as my dissertation outline is done and I've presented (two weeks from now) and gotten a little feedback from my group, I'll submit it to him as a first pass. I'm not dreading it, which is a great relief to me.
-The number of people I'm 'hiding from' is dropping as I'm getting my things submitted to them (they're folks I owe work). I'm down now to just 3!

No one batted an eyelid or has suggested jettisoning me from the program. In general, I've been surprised by the positive reception I've gotten here and there from the folks I did know.

If anyone has any doubts at all about those things we hear and disregard because they're such common common sense... These three VITAL pieces of advice have made a huge difference:
1) anything you're avoiding will get worse with neglect--and you along with it.
2) interact as much as possible with your peers in the program; don't get isolated.
3) the remedy for worry is work.

Thank you so much to those who were generous with their good advice, and also kind while being honest in rendering it.
Good luck to everyone!

Just a quick update:
Things are working out fairly well...so far.

I *have* followed the excellent advice from the generous folks who commented (thank you again!!!):
-spoke with the DGS
-joined a dissertation working group
-am slated to present my work in a few weeks
-have *actually* been working in earnest on it! (it's coming as a surprise to me that I'm *actually* getting stuff done sans procrastination!)
-bumped into my advisor who did seem to recognize me and be happy to see me!
-As soon as my dissertation outline is done and I've presented (two weeks from now) and gotten a little feedback from my group, I'll submit it to him as a first pass. I'm not dreading it, which is a great relief to me.
-The number of people I'm 'hiding from' is dropping as I'm getting my things submitted to them (they're folks I owe work). I'm down now to just 3!

No one batted an eyelid or has suggested jettisoning me from the program. In general, I've been surprised by the positive reception I've gotten here and there from the folks I did know.

If anyone has any doubts at all about those things we hear and disregard because they're such common common sense... These three VITAL pieces of advice have made a huge difference:
1) anything you're avoiding will get worse with neglect--and you along with it.
2) interact as much as possible with your peers in the program; don't get isolated.
3) the remedy for worry is work.

Thank you so much to those who were generous with their good advice, and also kind while being honest in rendering it.
Good luck to everyone!

A much-too-brief-considering-the-scale-of-how-much-i-appreciate-your-excellent-responses:

Whew!
I agree with all of what you've said.
I did break ground with the DGS and am going to be on campus next week to hand-in some of this stuff.
What a huge help it has been to discuss this openly and get sound advice.

THANK YOU!