Comments for A Post-Academic in NYC

Comment on How to Finish Your Dissertation When You Really Hate That Shit by John Twomey

John Twomey — Thu, 16 May 2013 18:46:56 +0000

Bravo, I just survived a concerted attempt by my supervisors to shove me off my PhD after nearly 3 years. The veil finally lifted as I watched them squirm when I asked for a reason why they were trying to do this…they were totally stumped for a reason. I finally saw that these people were no better than I am. I survived their coup attempt. Unlike the main contributor here, I cannot say I was always called clever nor do my supervisors shower me with even a droplet of praise. So..to spite them….I am going to continue on and do everything I can to complete my PhD to say ‘Up Yours’ to them… (But diplomacy will make me suppress this into a fake smile on graduation day).

Comment on How to Finish Your Dissertation When You Really Hate That Shit by Hannah

Hannah — Thu, 16 May 2013 00:11:14 +0000

I have to submit my dissertation in one week, I defend in one month, and I seriously cannot even summon the ounce of motivation I need to open the document, and do a final run through. I just hate it, and so instead I drink tea and watch bad TV. People say your defense is anti-climatic, I say to those people “get a life!”

Comment on How to Finish Your Dissertation When You Really Hate That Shit by i hate my dissertation

i hate my dissertation — Mon, 06 May 2013 18:24:25 +0000

so i’m not working for the next four months and aim to get this shit done. i’m so over this dissertation. what’s more important is finding a job so i don’t end up homeless..when i put it in that perspective, the dissertation is just one hoop to jump through to get that job, whatever it may be.

i’m working on my lit review right now, and covering a topic that i never have written on or read about before, which means a lot of hours pouring over books, like everyone else here.

here’s my strategies that seem to be working for me right now, for what it’s worth:
-every day i aim to get one to two pages written.
-as soon as self-doubt/terror/fear start to paralyze me, I stop myself dead in my tracks and MAKE myself, force myself to stop the paralyzing thoughts. i aim to achieve a a sense of neutrality/indifference/insolence, just to get through the day. ONE DAY AT A TIME.
-i tell myself to quit second-guessing myself as i write. i allow myself to critique after a week or so, just so i can keep writing.
-JUST KEEP SWIMMING.

Comment on How to Finish Your Dissertation When You Really Hate That Shit by Lady Midnight

Lady Midnight — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 11:30:09 +0000

Oh you’re damn right about using spite to fire the cylinders. I began my dissertation two years ago, and was pushed into researching an entire century that I had never so much as glossed over. I have to work part time and it’s taken long and painful months to be able to speak about the field I’m in with any confidence whatsoever. I’ve just started my 3rd year and have two chapters written and the bones of my dissertation worked out, but I know my committee won’t like it because I don’t have the damn thing written in its entirety. I am so tempted to leave, but I’m going to at least try. I run the risk of them removing me from the course, but I have no intention of not finishing the damn thing and submitting it elsewhere. Committtees never want to hear the practical difficulties, they just want their PhD students to finish quickly so it reflects well on them. Individual cases don’t matter to them. They don’t want to hear it.

Comment on How to Finish Your Dissertation When You Really Hate That Shit by Gordon Graham

Gordon Graham — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 12:18:29 +0000

Barren- You are too funny! I’m working on 8 f-ing years myself! My thesis- oh dear God- I read it over and SPITE simply slaps me in my face! The name on this chain simply could not be better worded.

To all who find this chain- welcome! (Yup- you are not alone in this- your academic hell!)

Comment on How to Finish Your Dissertation When You Really Hate That Shit by Barren Wordsmith

Barren Wordsmith — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 06:41:32 +0000

Hi Sylvia – I’m in Australia & I feel your pain. I’ve got less than 10 days to go before putting nearly 10 years of work to bed. I never imagined I’d hate my thesis but I DO! I HATE IT! This thread gave me a great laugh too. It is such a comfort knowing others are in the same boat.

Comment on How to Finish Your Dissertation When You Really Hate That Shit by Doug

Doug — Sun, 21 Apr 2013 12:51:09 +0000

I never actually had very much trouble writing and publishing. My dissertation comm was a bunch of flower children from the 60s. They were ineffectual and stupid. The real problem was getting a job. Even if you publish a fair amount, it’s unlikely you’ll get a job. To be honest, writing the dissertation was actually kind of fun. I like writing and researching. That’s easy for me. I went to a crappy program that gave me no political pull. That was the real problem.

Comment on How to Finish Your Dissertation When You Really Hate That Shit by Sylvia

Sylvia — Sat, 20 Apr 2013 07:27:34 +0000

Oh man this is the best advice I have ever read on how to finish. Simply because it made me laugh and it gave me one huge boost, just knowing other people felt this way. Everyone I know seems to think I will be loving my studies (not) or they say things like ‘how long have you been studying now? The answer is two and a half years. Oh man I wish this was over. I’m in New Zealand, BTW, for anyone who wants to reply. Thanks for making me laugh!

Comment on How to Finish Your Dissertation When You Really Hate That Shit by k

Tue, 16 Apr 2013 21:05:37 +0000

the first laugh i’ve had in weeks. thank you

Comment on How to Finish Your Dissertation When You Really Hate That Shit by Barren Wordsmith

Barren Wordsmith — Sat, 06 Apr 2013 11:18:28 +0000

Gordon and Done – I wish my committee had forgotten about me but instead they fought me for years in a bid to kill off my research study! I don’t know what’s worse – having them pay not enough attention, or having them pay too much. Either version adds to the overall horribleness.