4th year PhD: Labwork finished! ...And now to write

TL;DR

Completing lab experiments, starting thesis writing, and reflecting on the challenges of finishing a PhD.

Transcript

hey it's Lucy I have had one week of one last after another last week was the last time I made a batch of my fail like mineral which I first made back in 2017 and it was the first real success of my PhD I was absolutely overjoyed when I figured out how to make this I've used a technique called Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy for the last ti... Read More

Key Insights

• 👨‍🔬 Completing lab experiments signifies a significant milestone in the research process.
• 👻 Waiting to write the introduction until after data collection allows for a more focused and cohesive narrative.
• ✍️ Starting on certain thesis sections early can alleviate some writing pressure in the final stages.
• ❓ Seeking advice from those who have completed a PhD can provide valuable insights and guidance.
• 👨‍🔬 Balancing the quality and quantity of research outputs is a significant challenge in the final year.
• 🍳 Unforeseen circumstances, like instruments breaking down, can impact project timelines and should be considered.
• ✍️ Utilizing downtime for writing tasks can streamline the thesis completion process.

Questions & Answers

Q: What was the significance of the last experiments Lucy conducted for her PhD?

The last experiments marked the completion of data collection, a crucial step in finalizing her research and moving towards the writing phase of her thesis.

Q: Why did Lucy wait until the end to start writing her thesis introduction?

Lucy waited to gather all her data first to have a clearer understanding of the story her research was telling, enabling her to craft a more cohesive introduction.

Q: How did Lucy prepare for the writing process by working on her methods chapter earlier?

By writing her methods chapter when she had free time, Lucy ensured that a portion of her thesis that wouldn't change was already completed, alleviating some of the final writing burden.

Q: What advice does Lucy seek from others who have gone through similar experiences?

Lucy seeks advice on what others wish they had done differently in their PhD journey or any strategies they found particularly helpful in navigating the final stages.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Lucy reflects on completing her lab experiments and collecting data for her PhD.

• She discusses the challenges of starting the writing process and compiling her research findings.

• Lucy seeks advice for navigating the final stages of her PhD journey.