I enjoyed this article from Post-Academic in NYC called How to Finish Your Dissertation When You Really Hate That Shit.
Hate your dissertation? I know that feel, bro.
My dissertation loomed for a long time, probably for bad reasons like fear and guilt and self-doubt and oh-my-god-what-is-wrong-with-me? and seriously-why-aren't-I-done-yet? I was a mess. I would snap at friends and coworkers whenever they asked how my writing was going and god-forbid they actually teased me about it, as I'd probably end up crying.
Ultimately, my motivation to get through it was something along the lines of: FUCK THIS SHIT.
Also, an email from our research group's financial manager was particularly inspirational. It said (and I'm paraphrasing): "Congratulations, you are no longer being funded as of April 1st."
She explains that if you can't motivate yourself for good reasons like wanting to actually finish, get a job, or to please your committee, then motivate yourself for a bad reason: spite.
"I would defend my dissertation to spite everyone who had ever told me to enroll in a graduate program because I was “smart” and smart people should just drop out of society and go to school forever, apparently.
I would finish my dissertation to spite every professor I ever had, even the few who were not smug assholes...It's only funny because my dissertation is finally behind me.
...Most of all, I would earn the PhD to spite every single one of my dissertation committee members who held so much power over me and could dictate with impunity when I was ready to be released from their clutches. "
Hate your dissertation? I know that feel, bro.
Ultimately, my motivation to get through it was something along the lines of: FUCK THIS SHIT.
Also, an email from our research group's financial manager was particularly inspirational. It said (and I'm paraphrasing): "Congratulations, you are no longer being funded as of April 1st."
I know that feel from http://paperbeatsscissors.tumblr.com/ |
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