By Kelly
I’m thinking of installing foam panels on my bedroom ceiling. No, don’t be weird, I mean that I shot out of bed this morning with such a fright that I almost ended up creating a new skylight. It’s the 11th of January, which means that I run out of scholarship funding in exactly 11 months. Heard this all before? Yes I did have a bit of a meltdown a few months ago…then discovered I can’t count (or perhaps read) and my submission date (which includes a 6 month extension) is not November, but December. But now that extra month has disappeared, and I’m not entirely sure that my ability to read and count has improved!
I have a friend in media who keeps asking why a PhD takes so long, and haven’t I finished yet? I’m thinking of quitting science and going in to media as clearly their instruments are a lot more reliable than ours. I have a meeting with my supervisory panel at the end of the month to explain myself so perhaps I’ll float the idea then. Actually, the idea is that I present to them exactly what I have done, what I need to get done, and whether this is at all reasonable to expect within the time that is left. Sound familiar to the midterm that we often speak of? Well it is hopefully going to be similar in intensity, but unofficial and without the written work, which is a good thing as I’m dubious they critically read the last 60 pages I gave them… Not that it bothers me as my husband reads my work, and he reads and counts real good *.
The difference this time is I that I really should know what I’m talking about. I don’t always feel that I do, but I most definitely know more than at my midterm 12 months ago. So it should be fun? And then I need to head interstate and pray to Odin that the instruments work for me so that I can collect enough data to start writing properly. THEN I need to think about putting together my best work to showcase at a big international conference. Now is the time I’m supposed to be doing some kind of scientific version of a bird-of-paradise display so that I can attract an employer. If I can’t dazzle them with my science I may try something more like that featured below. I’ll let you know how that works for me.
While I realise it’s a logical progression, with one thing drawing to an end another must begin, but job hunting while finishing a PhD seems cruel and unusual punishment. Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to see a man about some feathers.
* My advice to anyone thinking of starting a PhD in science: marry an academic. At least then you are guaranteed someone will read and comment on your work, if only to stop you rolling around on the kitchen floor wailing. Some behaviour is really only appropriate at home, and then only just barely.
I know the feeling Kelly, I’m down to 7.5 months of scholarship, with a lot of work to go before. The reality of needing to find a job is also starting to loom large, however we can all get through this.
Does it help the fact that we are on the same boat? And listen, based on my expectation, I should be finished in 6 months..and I still have to start writing.
Never mind. I can see a little bit of light at the end of the tunnel! When I can’t though, can I come and roll around the kitchen floor with you? It sounds fun!
Thanks guys! Yes I do believe we have a whole cohort in the same boat! And i imagine I feel no different to any other student. Some days I am full of energy and charging forward, others….I prefer the kitchen floor
And yes Luna, perhaps we should put aside specific times for group wailing, and then we can just get on it with the task of finishing.
Have any of you heard of the Flogsta scream? “Every night at 10pm, the students of Uppsala University that reside in Flogsta let off their stress and frustration by screaming into the night’s air”. Apparently they do it every night, and have done since the 70′s…..just a thought.
Check it out at here :
http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=cd8_1357238286&comments=1
Same boat, Kelly! Technically if I get the 6 month extension, the scholarship runs out next January, but realistically I need to finish by the end of the year. We should do some writing parties.
You’re on! Coffee and biscuits will get us all through. I swear by the powers of grayskull I will be submitting before Christmas. Seriously I like the idea of writing parties though, just to break the routine…and see people.
I don’t know how you found the video Kell but that is amazing…a bit creepy…but I guess it would give us a boost!
And surely nobody would ever ever say that nothing happens in Canberra!
I also get asked why a PhD takes so long, and for the life of me I can’t really explain it. IT JUST DOES!
Yay to writing parties – i think it’s easier when writing is made a social thing.
But does social = productive? I have concerns, I’m a bit of talker. For me I think it is going to be all about breaking up the monotony of sitting at my desk for weeks on end. It’s one of things I love about being a scientist; the variety and freedom. I fear that when I finish my lab work I will feel like I’ve had my wings clipped (and that I am flying in to windows…)