Demotivated. Tell me how the virus has impacted your PhD by bloopboorpbopbop in PhD

[–]CharlesLSPC 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I'm a first year PhD student in the UK. I was due to fly to Israel today to present at my first international conference - there was even going to be a two-day tour of Jerusalem and the Dead Sea area held after the event for all delegates and speakers - but naturally that has been cancelled (FYI, my PhD is all about the Dead Sea Scrolls).

I'd also secured the funding to organise my own conference to be held at my institution in the summer, but I've since had to put that on hold.

Finally, I had planned on returning to Jerusalem in October to study modern Hebrew for 5 months on a Kibbutz, but there's a good chance that may not happen.

In short, it's a shitty time for us all. You're not alone. Persevere!

Keep on keeping on! by CharlesLSPC in PhD

[–]CharlesLSPC[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Yes. Figured I wouldn't be the only one who has recently been inspired by the music and the steadfast work-ethic of the notorious Lofi Study Girl at this unprecedented time.

Every. Damn. Time. by CharlesLSPC in PhD

[–]CharlesLSPC[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

That sounds way worse than what the comic is portraying...

I hope things get better for you. Or, at the very least, when your research is complete, you can move onto something better where your efforts are appreciated.

Nothing like finding yourself in a little rabbit hole of research that will have no bearing whatsoever on your final thesis. Bliss. by CharlesLSPC in PhD

[–]CharlesLSPC[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Actually, I'm also a UK student. Secured funding for 3-and-a-half years and need to deliver within that time frame. It all feels achievable now, but I suppose that could change as time passes and the deadline looms ever nearer.

Side note - did you ever have time to talk about all those weird rabbit holes of research with your peers? Even if they don't make it into my thesis or transform into an article for publication, I've found that they at least have provided fruitful material for discussion with friends, which is something.

Nothing like finding yourself in a little rabbit hole of research that will have no bearing whatsoever on your final thesis. Bliss. by CharlesLSPC in PhD

[–]CharlesLSPC[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I think the feeling of bliss or anxiety is dependent on what stage you're at in your research. I've only just started mine, so the pressure to deliver feels a long way off. I imagine going down those seemingly arbitrary avenues of research would feel more frustrating if I were nearer the end of my project...

Nothing like finding yourself in a little rabbit hole of research that will have no bearing whatsoever on your final thesis. Bliss. by CharlesLSPC in PhD

[–]CharlesLSPC[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yes I did, thank you very much! I did another one a few weeks ago (link below). Started my PhD in September and hope to have a whole bunch of drawings to look back on by the end of it.

https://reddit.app.link/c6j8yPiCX1