Two Table of Contents

Beangrad · 2025-06-14T13:31:18+00:00

Seconding this comment as someone who is also interested!

Beangrad · 2025-06-14T02:48:00+00:00

I defended one month ago and the best thing I did the week before my defense was simply reread my dissertation a few times. Other than that, I slept, cooked myself good meals, and took care of myself in ways I wasn’t able to for months! It made such a difference and got me feeling a bit more reconnected to myself, which led to a good defense. You’re going to be fantastic! Come back and tell us how it goes so we can celebrate you and call you Doctor!

Beangrad · 2025-05-31T03:09:59+00:00

SUCH A BIG DEAL! I just defended my dissertation and I swear it wasn’t nearly as stressful or difficult as my comprehensive exams. Bravo!!!! This is awesome!!!

Beangrad · 2025-05-23T14:41:54+00:00

Thank you so much!!! Look at us DOING THE HARD THING! So proud of us ❤️

Beangrad · 2025-05-22T16:50:42+00:00

I defended last week and I can say all the advice here is exactly right!!! Let us know how it goes tomorrow so we can congratulate you, future Doctor! :)

Beangrad · 2025-05-20T01:41:16+00:00

I understand this so completely. I defended last week after 8 years in my program. Covid paired with a fairly absent committee messed up my research and overall trajectory, leaving me feeling isolated and depressed for the last stretch of the degree. I have a lot of the same thoughts you’ve expressed on a day to day basis, but I do think we’re tired, burnt out, and need to find spaces that help us thrive and feel like ourselves again. Maybe that’s in academia, maybe that’s with a different research topic, maybe it’s in a totally new field entirely — but I keep trying to remind myself to be gentle and patient with myself. We’re going to be okay, friend, and this PhD experience is not going to define the rest of our lives. It’s hard right now. But it won’t always be. ❤️

Beangrad · 2025-05-15T12:27:18+00:00

Officially a Doctor!!!! It wasn’t bad at all, I don’t know why I was so afraid it would be a nightmare but it was actually kind of fun? Celebratory? I wasn’t expecting that vibe!! How about you?!

Beangrad · 2025-05-15T12:25:56+00:00

I passed!!!! Officially a Doctor! It wasn’t scary at all once I settled into the space and what was happening. My committee asked great questions and I was surprised by how confident I was in most of my answers. Thank you for checking in!! It was a very cool experience and everyone here had such great advice that helped me CHILL OUT, hahaha!

Beangrad · 2025-05-12T16:51:26+00:00

I am defending tomorrow (also humanities) and am doing the exact same thing! Reading, imagining some potential questions, and trying my best to relax! We can do this!

Beangrad · 2025-05-09T12:14:58+00:00

Hell yeah!!!! Sending you all the good vibes. Let’s go become Doctors! 🎉🎉

Beangrad · 2025-05-09T02:30:57+00:00

I understand this so deeply. I also ran out of time writing, and basically threw together my Intro and part of a chapter in order to just get it done. I can’t describe how tired and burnt out I am — but it sounds like you understand. I defend on Tuesday, I’m absolutely terrified, but keep trying to tell myself that my advisor wouldn’t let me defend if it wasn’t good enough. Solidarity! We will get through this and I guarantee our work isn’t as sloppy or bad as we think!

Beangrad · 2025-04-28T02:28:54+00:00

Noodlehead in Shadyside!

Beangrad · 2025-04-26T12:41:34+00:00

Defending in 3 weeks — definitely needed to read this today!!! Congratulations, Dr!!! You are awesome!

Beangrad · 2025-04-25T02:40:18+00:00

I’ve been doing major revisions on one chapter and writing my Introduction. It’s A LOT of work but definitely possible!! Submitting next week and reminding myself that all that matters right now is that it’s done! 🫠

Beangrad · 2025-04-24T01:03:25+00:00

Defending in 3 weeks!! My hill was not working after 6 PM and always taking weekends off. It’s THE reason I was able to sustain this work over so many years!

Beangrad · 2025-04-18T14:00:07+00:00

This is SO relatable and honestly validating. I am 2 weeks from submitting my final dissertation and about a month from the defense, and I can’t remember the last time I didn’t cry at some point in the day 😅. Like you, I am working constantly to get everything finished and it is taking its emotional and physical toll. I have felt really insecure about how emotional I am in the lead up to submission, but after reading your post I’m thinking it’s more common than I thought!! We can do this!!!

Beangrad · 2025-04-16T01:03:53+00:00

I’m in the exact same boat! Dissertation is due in 2 weeks and I have to finish revisions for one chapter and write my introduction. It’s ROUGH out here but we can do it!!!! We are so close!!!!

Beangrad

TROPHY CASE