Am I a Smart Person?

The more I do the PhD, the less smart I think I am. There are so many things to learn, to prove, to justify. As a legally trained person, I get it. The support, the claim, the deductions, the inferences. However academic writing and research is a whole different ballgame altogether. It is deep. It is insightful. It can be maddening too. No wonder another acronym for PhD is permanent head damage. It is fully possible (or is the word probable?).

How do we even know the language to use, the consistency, the looping back to the objectives and questions, the endless queries. And I have asked 200 odd questions myself, because a justified answer is important to me. I am not one who claims things; nor do I stand on false beliefs.

The good news is: I have good writing skills. That much a number of people have agreed.

My research skills on the other hand, leaves much to be desired. I have seen samples of Chapter 3 that is so much simpler than mine. Or is this a Malaysian thing? I love the Scandinavian style. So relaxed and accepting. No heavy philosophic discussion. Just plain old plan & execution.

I will somehow get through this. GOD HELP ME!