Rewriting my thesis | Life as a PhD student #21

TL;DR

A Ph.D. student shares the stress and challenges of rewriting their thesis, finding time for personal activities, and the importance of friends and self-care.

Transcript

you know people say that doing a PhD changes you as a person on basically every level right psychologically emotionally physically you are different what I'm trying to say is I have a beard now so we're coming into the last few weeks of the PhD mail and things have been getting very hectic and very stressful recently so you have to remember that mo... Read More

Key Insights

• 🧑 Doing a Ph.D. brings significant changes to a person psychologically, emotionally, and physically.
• 🥺 Ph.D. students typically have multiple supervisors, and disagreements between them can lead to added stress and the need for major revisions.
• ❓ Writing a thesis requires a simple and concise style, focusing on clarity rather than fancy language.
• 💦 Balancing work and personal life during a Ph.D. can be challenging, but taking breaks and seeking support from friends can help maintain mental well-being.
• 😨 Self-care and maintaining a reasonable working schedule are crucial to prevent burnout.
• 💦 Even during intense work periods, engaging in activities with friends can provide moments of relaxation and enjoyment.
• 👨‍🔬 Technical challenges and null results are part of the research process and can still contribute valuable insights.

Questions & Answers

Q: How has the second supervisor's disagreement affected the student's work?

The second supervisor's disapproval of the project's direction has caused the student to rewrite their entire thesis, resulting in increased stress and workload.

Q: Why did the student struggle with their initial writing style?

The student initially tried to write their thesis in a poetic and evocative manner, which was not suitable for a scientific thesis. Their supervisor advised them to use simple, subjective, and to-the-point writing.

Q: How does the student manage their long working hours?

The student acknowledges the importance of self-care and takes breaks when needed. They also find motivation in their passion for the project and work more effectively during weekends when the office is quiet.

Q: How do friends support the student during their Ph.D. journey?

The student highlights the importance of friends in providing emotional support and understanding. They appreciate their girlfriend's thoughtful gesture of sending a surprise snack box and enjoy spending time with friends through activities like watching live streams together.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The student is in the final weeks of their Ph.D. and is experiencing high levels of stress due to rewriting their thesis.

• The student's second supervisor disagrees with the direction of the project, leading to a complete rewrite of the thesis.

• The student discusses the challenges of writing in a simple and concise style, balancing long working hours with personal activities, and seeking support from friends.