elanya

I work in academia, and I know the sort of doubts that you are facing - in fact I had a talk to Bro (vampyrfate) a short while ago.

He pointed out that whatever field you are in, sooner or later you are outclassed. (I had was reflecting on a particular female academic from Oxford who is thin, pretty, determined, ultra-bright, has high(er) paid job (than me), hubby who is determined, ultra-bright, is in charge of one of the colleges at Oxford, 2 kids (pretty, determined, ultra-bright) and all absolutely superb people!)

I knew I would *never* be any more than I am, and I was incredibly crushed by the experience.

Funnily enough when I came back from work from having B - I didn't feel like I was goode enough anymore. Sometimes I am on the edge of 'being found out' by some of the brighter students (will they realise I only just read the text book last night type of thing. I don't even have organisation!

I have realised that I am never going to be the brightest - but then again... only 1 person in the world is at any time.

You don't need to be the brightest (I realised) You need to be *bright enough* and there is a BIG difference.

As the posts already on here show - your friends think you can do what you set your heart to do - but if you don't make it - shrug it off - YOU TRIED... there are many out there who don't try - and that meant that they failed before they even started!

On the positive side - I am one of the ones who believes in you to go for what you want :)