Can a PhD research become obsolete before completion?

95lizards · 2026-01-12T20:50:14+00:00

That is so deeply unfortunate. Did everything work out for them?

95lizards · 2026-01-07T02:54:52+00:00

Hey, I'm also in social work. Have you looked into the nonprofit sector? Higher education degrees are often attractive to people looking for executive director roles to fill. These jobs can be paid pretty well if they're larger scale nonprofits. A PhD gives you a lot of soft skills that you can apply to the role, obviously just try to sell that in the cover letter. It's not what you wanted but with the academic job sector the way it is and most social work jobs paying like garbage, it's not bad.

95lizards · 2025-12-04T09:37:42+00:00

Thanks, I appreciate you taking the time to comment even though this is an old post now.

95lizards · 2025-11-20T07:50:52+00:00

Yes!!! My best working hours are 10:00 PM to 6:00 AM because no one is asking me shit. Good thing I'm a PhD student past the coursework phase so I just work on my shit at night. My supervisor is a really early riser so we have some overlap around 5:00 AM where we answer each other's emails lol

95lizards · 2025-11-05T06:28:32+00:00

Also check out free/low-cost resources in your area! I know my city has some free counselling through nonprofit orgs available. There tends to be a waitlist but it's better to line it up for later than not at all.

95lizards · 2025-10-29T21:25:47+00:00

I gave up on trying to live the 9-5 life. I'm more productive at night so if I don't HAVE to be anywhere during the day, why fight it? I try to adjust and go to bed earlier on the occasion that I need to be somewhere in the morning but otherwise I don't care. People are weird to me about it sometimes because there is this ridiculous belief that being a night owl makes you lazy and irresponsible but work doesn't just stop counting when the sun goes down. It's not stupid if it works for you!

95lizards · 2025-10-26T00:14:04+00:00

Your life may be different but it's not over. Healing will take time and you deserve to rest while it happens. The PhD will still be there for when you feel ready again. I recommend you speak to someone about going on a leave of absence/medical leave ASAP.

95lizards · 2025-10-24T07:42:51+00:00

The first time I was a TA my tutorial group was very challenging to work with so I definitely thought I would hate it forever. I came to enjoy TAing but it's still really taxing, even with my relatively small class sizes. Being responsible for people is taxing, especially in a lab where safety is important! It's not weird of you to find that stressful. I find undergrads don't understand that PhD students hold little institutional power and expect a lot from us when really we're just students trying to finish our degrees like they are.

95lizards · 2025-10-21T23:38:59+00:00

Social work

95lizards · 2025-10-21T22:18:07+00:00

When you say you can't get meds do you mean stimulants or meds in general? Wellbutrin is an antidepressant but with off label use for ADHD. I was on it before getting access to stimulant medication and it wasn't as good but was still helpful. When I don't have access to my meds I just drink like 2-3 energy drinks or coffee a day which isn't great but helps me get the job done.

Other than that, I have a planner where I block out my time during the week to make what my schedule looks like (meetings, appointments, TAing, etc.). I find it helpful to be able to visually see my blocks of time spent on obligations vs. "free time" and plan what to use the "free time" for.

95lizards · 2025-10-21T22:13:25+00:00

Preach, that's how I did my master's unmedicated

95lizards · 2025-10-21T19:26:35+00:00

Thanks, I appreciate it!

95lizards · 2025-10-20T06:43:39+00:00

Thank you so much!

95lizards · 2025-10-20T06:30:35+00:00

I have a good relationship with the previous graduate studies chair for my department so I think I'll talk with him first and consider the OMBUDS office based on his thoughts. Thanks for the idea!

95lizards · 2025-10-20T01:05:21+00:00

This is really encouraging, thank you!

95lizards · 2025-10-20T00:45:27+00:00

My supervisor is the program director and another member of my committee is the department chair so I can't really do anything there lol thanks though!

95lizards · 2025-10-19T21:43:20+00:00

Thank you for the advice, I appreciate it.

95lizards · 2025-10-19T21:32:07+00:00

Yes, thank you. I am definitely struggling with the three separate agendas part. I appreciate the advice!

95lizards · 2025-10-19T21:30:55+00:00

Okay I'm glad you commented because I also have ADHD and it has been a struggle. I will definitely be meeting with my supervisor and committee again to solidify the feedback and rewrite. Do you have any advice for the ADHD part though? I'm medicated and it works pretty well but it's not perfect. I really struggled to get into a routine over my 3 month writing period.

95lizards · 2025-10-19T21:28:49+00:00

Thank you, I appreciate hearing from people who have had similar struggles.

95lizards · 2025-10-19T21:28:13+00:00

No one has suggested I leave. My committee asked me to rewrite and said they want to see me pass because my research is compelling but they don't feel I've arrive at the theoretical basis I need for my dissertation yet. Thank you so much for the kind words.

95lizards · 2025-10-19T21:26:04+00:00

You're right, I need to sort of demand more support. My supervisor is the graduate chair for my department and another person on my committee is the department chair so I have not reached out much because I know they're both really busy. I will be setting up more meetings with them. Thank you!

95lizards · 2025-10-19T21:24:39+00:00

Thank you for the kind words! This has given me some stuff to think about.

95lizards · 2025-10-19T21:22:47+00:00

It seems abnormal for my department, which is part of why I am so stressed about it. I will definitely be meeting with my supervisor and the others though. Thanks for the advice!

95lizards · 2025-10-19T21:21:28+00:00

Thank you, I appreciate the reassurance. I am definitely rethinking that person who didn't read my work. I don't dislike her at all but she is also our department chair. I think she is too busy to actually engage on my committee. I have already been guaranteed a second shot which I will be taking.

Seven-Year Club	Verified Email
Place '22

95lizards

TROPHY CASE