I've procrastinated working on my thesis for more than a year • Hacker News Board

Re: I've procrastinated working on my thesis for more than a year

#271

Post by pas » Sun, Jan 22, 2023, 2:53 AM UTC

winter_blue wrote: post #54

annie_muss wrote: post #12

Here's my thesis procrastination story: I remember sitting in the explanation lecture, 18 months before the deadline for my undergrad thesis. Even then, I was nervous about handing it in on time. So I did the usual things, made week by week plans, asked my supervisor to check in with me etc. Of course, as a serial procrastinator I didn't come close to sticking to the plan. I fiddled around with a few things but didn'…

> If you struggle with procrastination on a grand scale you have an emotional problem, not an organizational one. No amount of planners, charts, calendars or todo lists will solve it(though they are good to have for other reasons). You need emotional solutions. Therapy, medication, meditation, introspection. I'm in a similar situation and need help as well. What did you find works, or worked?

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=YSfCdBBqNXY

https://www.guilford.com/books/Taking-Charge-of-Adult-ADHD/R...

what ultimately works is asking for help, accepting that yes, it might not be what you want, but it gets you through this hurdle. maybe the next one will be easier. and get up to speed and then work on doing it alone, and then work on doing your best.

Re: I've procrastinated working on my thesis for more than a year

#272

Post by pvaldes » Sun, Jan 22, 2023, 9:54 AM UTC

To start, I find strange that other students were hired to work in his/her thesis. I doubt even that this is allowed in some countries.

Focusing in minor tasks to be completed in a different working environment could help, but without specific details about the case and the specific knowledge area, we can't know if the author is beating a dead horse or not.

"I tried X medication" and "I went to therapy" are two big red flags to me. He seems to be looking for a magic solution or somebody else that does the hard work. This is not how thesis work

Re: I've procrastinated working on my thesis for more than a year

#273

Post by Gene_Parmesan » Mon, Jan 23, 2023, 2:42 PM UTC

KVFinn wrote: post #2

If you're not just making slow progress but literally unable to make a single bit of progress, my goto strategy is similar to what writers call a vomit draft. For writing it conventionally means means writing words without stopping to plan or edit, no corrections allowed, the rule is you just have to keep typing, no matter what. It's about something being better than nothing, creating momentum, and also avoids being…

> even more extreme

I'm a musician & amateur home producer, and this extreme approach of yours is exactly what I recommend to people (and what I do myself) to overcome the feeling of "I can't get started because what I start on sounds bad and I have an overwhelming fear of making something that sounds bad." Turning it on its head by purposefully trying to make the cliched, trite, and generally whack song I can, can be immensely freeing.

Re: I've procrastinated working on my thesis for more than a year

#274

Post by nickm12 » Tue, Jan 24, 2023, 3:43 AM UTC

mach1ne wrote: post #24

nickm12 wrote: post #10

I know this feeling. It took me eight years from when I entered my PhD program until I handed in my thesis. Three of those years I was away from campus working part-time, but I was still trying to do my thesis during those week. It sounds like you are putting too much on yourself. If I can say so from reading the post, it also sounds like you have a bad advisor. Research is HARD. It is by it's nature, ambiguous and r…

One strong influence on not coming back if taking time off is, I believe, the comfort one attains from a steady income. You worked only part-time which may have mitigated that influence.

I never made that connection, but I think you're right. Had I been earning double I probably would have adjusted to a non-graduate-student lifestyle and been reluctant to return.

Re: I've procrastinated working on my thesis for more than a year

#275

Post by cf141q5325 » Wed, Jan 25, 2023, 12:12 PM UTC

bruce343434 wrote: post #182

cf141q5325 wrote: post #108

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Its not about efficiency, it is an exam situation.

what is the exam?

Sorry i didnt see your post

Its examining you for the ability to make an independent scientific contribution. Its an exam situation similar to your Bachelor and Master in that matter, only on a higher level.

One of the most difficult parts of the Phd is long term planing and coming up with a good plan to tackle your research question.