Thursday 17 August 2017

'The PhD Commandments'


(Found on an old file in my computer, written during the PhD. Unpublished, unfinished; I probably meant to go back and say many more things. I'm just going to publish it now.)

Here are The PhD Commandments:

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Thou shalt not work from home too often. If overused, home becomes lonely and depressing. Home is booby-trapped with distractions and tasks (cleaning under the oven, tidying socks) into which the hapless procrastinator runs.

Thou shalt get thyself a small portable computer (for around £200), so that thou canst work in libraries and university cafes, but without breaking thine back or wrists in carrying the thing.

Thou shalt take regular breaks from work, and reward thyself with treats.

Thou shalt take at least one full day off a week.

Thou shalt try to write thine PhD for at least 10 minutes non-stop every working day. If thou succedest, try writing for 30 minutes. If that works well, try doing tomatoes. ('the tomato approach' is outlined briefly here.)

Thou shalt not skimp on exercise, meals and sleep.


Thou shalt not say 'I am not worthy'. [I am not clever, my PhD is rubbish.] Thou art VERY CLEVER. (Thou wouldst not have gotten this far if thou did not have some pretty special gifts.)


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(And thou shalt get off this blog now, and go do ten minutes of work!...)


CN xx

6 comments:

  1. Dear Cloud Nine, How are you? It's been a while since I've read your blog. Needless to say, life has been crazy. My defense is coming up in a month. I got saddled with a ton of pre-defense revisions by one committee member, and I'm currently working full time. Ugh!! I feel so demoralized and keep telling myself that I'm not worthy. I don't feel reassured by anyone at this point. It's so true what you said, though, although I feel in a deep rut right now. I hope that I have better news to report once I get this final draft in, and after I defend! Hope you are well.

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    1. Dear gradstudentparentetc!... Defense in a month - crazy!... Just one month and you're done :) Well done for working full-time (you have a job, yaaay!)... Remember, be nice to yourself, tell yourself nice things ("I'm so amazing. I'm working full time AND I'm doing this AND I'm going to be great at all these things"). If there is anything I can do to help, don't hesitate to write in!... Hugs!... X

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    2. Dear gradstudentparentetc!... Defense in a month - crazy!... Just one month and you're done :) Well done for working full-time (you have a job, yaaay!)... Remember, be nice to yourself, tell yourself nice things ("I'm so amazing. I'm working full time AND I'm doing this AND I'm going to be great at all these things"). If there is anything I can do to help, don't hesitate to write in!... Hugs!... X

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  2. Thanks so much for your comments. It's this week!!! I definitely need to do a ton of positive self-talk in the next few days.

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    1. You are doing great! In just a few days it will be over!... Repeat to yourself: i am doing GREAT and it will be over soon.... Xxxxx

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    2. PS I'm always here! (Or here: hatemyphd 'at' yahoo.com )

      Xx

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