kkarner is reorienting herself with her priorities.
Untitled
6 days ago
I need to get passed the generals, then plot out exactly how to achieve the dissertation phase. Want to finish by May 2011.
People who have done this
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How to finish my PhD
It made me
 "An exhausting, emotional and amazing journey filled with struggles and an incredible support system."
How I did it: I think the most important part to finishing was learning how to ask for help and having a wonderful support system. I worked independently doing research that was very different from the rest of my lab and got my own funding. However, fellow grad students and post docs were critical for finishing. It was a long journey with lots of struggles. I don't remember how many times I wanted to give up and quit, but I made it to the end. I learned to stand up for myself, but at the same time rely on others for support and encouragement. I hated it at times, loved it at other times, slacked off, worked my butt off- it was one roller coaster of a journey. In the end it gave me the confidence to know I can do anything. I also found the most amazing friends through the journey, which made all the struggles worthwhile! Lessons & tips: Resources:
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More "How I Did It" stories
It made me 
How I did it: working hard and not letting bad times bring me down. Many times I felt like it was impossible, but with the help and support of people around me I could do it! Read how I did it…
plumshower is thinking of good goals!
It made me
relieved
How I did it: My PhD was in Art History. No labs for me! Just hours and hours in the library. I was also doing mine long distance, so had no academic contacts excepting my supervisor. It was tough, I'll admit. I didn't work 9 to 5, although most days I managed to do something. I cultivated outside interests, and even got a Saturday job. In the process I realized that despite the outcome of the PhD, there was more than one way to be happy. Even now, I m… Read how I did it…
P043 is hungry after a run!
It made me
Pleased 
How I did it: I completed it by making sure that I go to the lab Monday to Friday, 8-6, as if I am working a full-time job. I reckon by ensuring that I am in the lab every day, I will surely get something done, no matter how insignificant that thing is. Every result, regarding positive or negative is still a result. It also helps a lot, if you do not rely too much on others. But it is important to help others, because we need the social interactio… Read how I did it…
It made me
ready to move on
How I did it: 3 years of lab work, followed by a fellowship and then I wrote up my thesis, essentially writing 2 papers at the same time. The bulk of my thesis was written during my fellowship and while working full-time which was extremely difficult. I actually was a bit naughty and wrote it while at my job too, which I do not regret in the slightest. Dog eat dog world and all that. Read how I did it…
It made me
very frustrated 
How I did it: Once I decided on my timeline, I set incredibly harsh goals on myself and followed through on them (though I was exhausted in meeting them). I took 12 credits of coursework every semester (to get it out of the way so I could get to the research) and consequently earned an MS in my first year. I relied upon my advisor as little as possible, as waiting for him greatly slowed me down, and accepted very few excuses from people who wished to d… Read how I did it…
→ See all 13 "How I did it" stories
People doing this are also doing these things:
Entries
The_Reckoner is taking it all in
At the write-up stage
2 weeks ago
Its horrible. I don’t want to write too much here, lest it eat into my 500 word maximum for the day that would otherwise go to finishing the thesis.
MarySpiro is working on a ppt presentation about ALS.
I am in limbo now and have not fully decided whether I want to pursure a PhD. So I am discussing working on a 1-year MSc thesis project at the university I attend now to see how that goes. Then I think I will know for sure if I can tolerate 5-6 years on a doctorate. The PhD program that I am interested in is one that can be completed at a distance, part-time (it’s a PhD in English through Old Dominion University http://al.odu.edu/english/academics/phd/index.html). This is the only way I could do it since I can’t quit my job—no would I want to. Reading about how other people have done is inspiring.
allogenes LaTeX: Because with great power comes great tediousness...
Dissertation Writing
3 weeks ago
I had a self-imposed deadline of the end of the month to get my dissertation to my advisor (or possibly my committee).
Not going to happen.
But I am still chugging away. Expect to give my first chapter to my informal reviewers this weekend, the second next week (Graphics will hold things up there). After a pass through those people they go to my advisor. Final chapter to someone by next week’s end. Fingers crossed.
Oh my struggle
1 month ago
I have just started my PhD. I am doing bad in my classess and I am getting harassed by my advisor already.
~S.U
waffler is working on my Goal #2: "Finish my PhD"
despairing...
1 month ago
Having so much trouble. When I came back to my PhD after a year on leave, I thought I could just suck it up and do it as quickly as possible, regardless of whether or not I actually feel any passion for my work. This sort of worked for the first few months, but it appears to be not enough to sustain me.
I feel so awful. I don’t know how I’m ever going to accomplish this goal. I won’t quit though, that’s one thing I know for sure now that I’ve come back. I am going to keep going. Because I had the choice to not come back, and I decided to come back, and so I am going to stick with it.
I hope I go through with this
2 months ago
By the time I’ve obtained my bachelor’s and Master’s degree, I hope I still have enough energy and desire to do this.
ilovecandyfloss is laughing in her photo.
I've only just started...
2 months ago
So I’ve got 3-4 years to go!
My university pays you $6K to leave on time, haha.
marryy9 is working on a paper
First paper..
2 months ago
I’m trying to form an experiment, I have no idea how will I do that…
→ See all 341 entries
Ask for advice: Get help from people who've accomplished this goal
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jenkinscrowe asks,
“I'm 42 and have been back in college for almost 10 years. I fear I'm burning out. Do I really need a Ph.D in English or will my MFA do? I'm a creative writer w/some publications.”
— 2 years ago |
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