Background - I am doing my PhD in atmospheric physics/photobiology.
Here is a scenario:
- The experiments are complete - the results are far better than expected
- Successfully got the computer program to work properly and have developed another
- Papers are published
- Much of the thesis is drafted
The light at the end of the tunnel is most definitely no longer an oncoming train.
But, at this stage, you just don't feel like working on the thesis, you do other things like cleaning, reading, watching movies - procrastination gets worse, and worse despite the submission deadline coming closer.
The procrastination resulting in more apathy towards the project, despite being fully aware of how much work has been put into the project, how much has been achieved and how little, comparatively, needs to be done.
What strategies are there to overcome this academic-apathy, particularly in this late stage of the thesis?
Answer
My suggestion would be to set minor distinct goals for each day but not overdo them, make them manageable. Mix boring chores with more fun ones so that the fun ones become a reward. This may seem a bit vague or even wooly. The problem I think you are experiencing is that while working on a PhD you get accustomed to stress and like many (myself included) a certain stress is needed to get something, and really the best, out of oneself. This phenomena, in my case, has only gotten worse, and I simply have a hard time getting anything done unless there is some pressure that gets stress levels up. But, with certain tasks it is possible to get stuff done by breaking it down into smaller pieces because if there is no overview or goals are too nebulous then it is not easy to focus on what to do in detail.
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