Of course it's allowed to ask questions like that--that's what we're here for. :-)
Who is the criticism coming from that you have trouble handling? Professors, friends, family? Since you're in school, professors are probably the most important to deal with right now, but it works the same in most circumstances. So here's what I'd say. 1, it *isn't* personal; it's about your work, not you. You said you know that, but make it a mantra. 2. If you find yourself slipping into "OMG, I'm terrible because my work is 'mediocre'" mode, take a few deep breaths, step back, distance yourself from your work, take a walk around the block. Try to come back to it with an objective view. Maybe it's better than you think. 3. Sometimes it helps me to put the current project in a drawer (literally or figuratively) for a little while and doing something else before coming back to it with a fresh eye. I realize that being in school you have deadlines for papers and suchlike, but even one day can help.
Not sure that was as articulate as I meant it to be, but hope it helps. :-)
Criticism
Of course it's allowed to ask questions like that--that's what we're here for. :-)
Who is the criticism coming from that you have trouble handling? Professors, friends, family? Since you're in school, professors are probably the most important to deal with right now, but it works the same in most circumstances. So here's what I'd say. 1, it *isn't* personal; it's about your work, not you. You said you know that, but make it a mantra. 2. If you find yourself slipping into "OMG, I'm terrible because my work is 'mediocre'" mode, take a few deep breaths, step back, distance yourself from your work, take a walk around the block. Try to come back to it with an objective view. Maybe it's better than you think. 3. Sometimes it helps me to put the current project in a drawer (literally or figuratively) for a little while and doing something else before coming back to it with a fresh eye. I realize that being in school you have deadlines for papers and suchlike, but even one day can help.
Not sure that was as articulate as I meant it to be, but hope it helps. :-)