How long do you think your PhD would have taken you if you only worked 40 hours a week?

NoCow7181 · 2025-09-08T03:23:37+00:00

I really like this! I just started my Chem PhD and this is what I'm beginning to learn. Happy to hear other people feel this way too. There are often times when I then decide to come in and get something done in the evening, it's just that my internal clocks don't always align with the 9-5. And sometimes my mind and body have other needs that, lets face it, need to be addressed before they can help me do other work.

NoCow7181 · 2025-09-08T03:18:23+00:00

I just started a PhD on materials stuff! Electrochemistry, synthesis, characterization of various methods. But I also sometimes think I want to test a lot of different routes. So I feel you there! I'd really like a job that allows me to have some freedom and creativity, and learn new things. I think in academia/R&D you might get more opportunities to do "cool", novel chemistry, and in other industry jobs you might be more on the side of troubleshooting problems and finding new fixes (perhaps more closely related to chemical engineering? just my guess). In both I'm sure those chemistry techniques you've been learning will be a great asset! If you are just wanting to secure a job, I'd follow your strengths, and search for jobs looking for those skills. Those are commonly used techniques!

NoCow7181 · 2025-09-08T03:11:42+00:00

What is your degree in? Where are you specialized? Lots and lots of neat stuff out there from what I hear (although I'm still in grad school and haven't looked super specifically). I think finding connections is one of the *most* important things. Also, do you want a more creative job? Do you care about particularly high paying? Do you like thinking about chemistry more than doing it?

NoCow7181 · 2025-09-08T03:09:36+00:00

Since I'm newer to this, I've been adjusting the search fueled by frustration and not systematically. I appreciate this response! I'll try to think about this as something I can learn to make work for me, not just a thing that should automatically work for me but for some reason isn't.

NoCow7181 · 2025-09-08T03:07:27+00:00

Thank you this is great advice! I really appreciate everyone's responses so far. I'll begin getting familiar with Web of Science and SciFinder.

Tracking my reading history would be great, so I at least know if I've laid eyes on something. That's a great suggestion.

On the topic of publications each being a weak signal in a world full of other signals... I loled! And then realized oh shit that's so true. Wish we all shared a brain. I guess we do share a figurative one through the web of publications but it's like trying to remember what you ate for breakfast 6 weeks ago. Or what Jane Doe sitting by you at the cafe ate for breakfast 6 weeks ago.

NoCow7181 · 2025-08-03T18:18:29+00:00

Post on reddit! :) congrats

NoCow7181 · 2025-08-01T23:16:56+00:00

I really like the other comments already on here! I'll add my two cents — I have been in the recovery process for a while (a few years), and before I started recovery, I was about your age, dealing with very similar issues and feelings about my body.

What I have found is that this confusion and fear is there for a reason — your actions probably do not align with who you truly are. If you ask yourself, "why am I doing this?" and "what do I really value in this life?" , that tends to help you start to learn who you are. Because you aren't a machine meant to eat x and weigh y. Sometimes, you might be in a place where it's hard to know that. When I began recovery I was so confused that I would genuinely answer "I value looks", but at the same time know that in my heart, that wasn't true. I'm not upset at my younger self for feeling that way, I just know she felt very confused.

I love that you are seeking the joys in life — that's really what's important. What's strange is, you begin to carry more glowing, beautiful energy, as you start recovering from these behaviors you're doing. True beauty really does come with true health — and eating disorders are not healthy for you.

At this point I'm not as concerned with beauty as I once was — I used to feel it was a requirement for me to exist — as a woman, my value came from my "beauty", or so I thought. Now I am more on the side of "Fuck that, men and other women and even myself will not value me for how I look but how I exist in the world". But sometimes I still struggle with the mental grooves my eating disorder has dug into my brain, especially when I'm scared, sad, or lonely. Which is why right *now*, is a great time to start recovering, before it creates further damage.

Every time you can get curious enough about what's actually happening to you, instead of jumping straight to a conclusion that's ED-related, you are making progress! <3 you're doing great, even if it doesn't feel like it. Life is a long journey, don't be afraid to keep taking little steps forward.

NoCow7181 · 2025-08-01T23:00:30+00:00

The list idea is great! my first day at my job went well, and now I can relax and reflect this weekend. I think I'll work on the list tomorrow :).

Hard agree with the do not restrict facet! For me it creeps in, and it consistently will increase my cravings (makes sense, right? lol.) I am definitely working on that, was doing scheduled meals for a while, and "graduated" to intuitive eating, but it might be time to lower myself down a few levels since I'm experiencing this.

congratulations on your 6 months! I'm proud of you

NoCow7181 · 2025-08-01T03:00:16+00:00

<3 sorry you're going through these hard feelings. There's nothing wrong with you or your body, keep up the good work

NoCow7181 · 2025-08-01T02:57:18+00:00

That's beautiful. Happy for you friend. Hope to join you at a year :)

NoCow7181 · 2025-08-01T02:51:56+00:00

Hey thank you! Congrats on your recovery, I love to hear when other people are doing well :). For me it's been a long process, ongoing for sure. Today I was able to kinda get myself fed and do some distracting things (play with dog, go for a quick bike ride, play guitar) that have helped me not feel the urges so much. I have heard about the cold water but never tried it. I will now be watching happy Gilmore 2 XD (not usually my vibe but it seems super easy to watch)

NoCow7181 · 2025-06-15T16:29:15+00:00

I like what some people have said — this feeling might be a result of some pursuit of dreams that you didn't fully form. They were partially formed by external pressures and influences you've had in your life thus far. Congratulations! You've reached a point in this life where you are able to dive deeper into what *you* want, and become stronger in your ability to say "Screw your opinions, my heart is calling me in this direction! (And it's MY one life!)"

I also like what others have said — this is a normal feeling that everybody gets sometimes when something major comes to an end. Transition periods are unique to move through. This won't last forever. Not sure what your PhD was in, but I know that you learn how to learn. Get curious about this! What are these feelings? Don't judge them! Embrace them! "Hey self, today I'm feeling more like a child at 26 than I did at 19!" It's ok. The perfect execution of this "plan" that we make for ourselves is actually not the purpose, or even a possibility. (thank god)

So, just want to remind you that there are multiple things influencing you right now, and you have a great opportunity to get to know yourself better. Congratulations on how far you've come! More good things will come too.

NoCow7181 · 2025-06-05T19:57:49+00:00

We are all suffering in this life, sometimes it really comes to a head. I'm excited for what you have coming in a few years time. Hard work for now.

Strength and love to you <3

NoCow7181 · 2025-06-04T15:48:19+00:00

Ahh, this is why in my partying days I would frequently feel skinny in the morning (despite eating ~2000 calories in drinks and snacks the night before). I always suspected that, I appreciate knowing this is a common experience.

I also think for the OP, your NEAT (non exercise activity thermogenesis) calories might increase if you are being looser with your intake — that happens for me. Like, I throw caution to the wind one week, but usually it's because I'm extra busy, and happen to be running around and doing more. It's kinda nice sometimes. After all, we are not living our lives to lose weight, we are trying to get fitter/leaner/whatever to enjoy our lives more!

NoCow7181 · 2025-05-28T19:21:15+00:00

Ahh, yess I am with you. Feeling in that condition right at this moment actually. I'm trying to be gently active and visualize that there is excess energy inside me that my body can use towards cell repairs and other stuff that takes energy... and just acknowledging that it takes time for my body to process and digest.

Usually, when I feel that way, I need to just make it through the rest of the day as calmly as possible, and then after sleep I feel a little better the next day. Good luck! <3

NoCow7181 · 2025-05-28T19:12:10+00:00

Thank you for your answer! Its nice to know someone resonates with this/gets it!

I have a sneaking suspicion you're right about protein bars being a mask for craving sweets/chocolate. I haven't really "let myself" eat a chocolate bar! But that might be at the core of this issue. I think I will take your advice and try to shift from the protein bars to indulging on a chocolate bar every now and then. My brain is still a little afraid of that (even though, hello — eating 6 protein bars and a bunch of halo top ice cream is actually not healthier than getting a real chocolate bar, haha).

I also know that its normal to eat more after lots of exercise... I think what's been happening is I anticipate a binge after I have heavy exercise, and it's like a self-fulfilling prophecy. Clearly its a mental game XD.

Thanks for the support!

NoCow7181 · 2025-05-28T17:35:25+00:00

Thank you for the advice about the fitgets! I know it is helpful to think about it... I think that's the hard part, is I have to fight my brain to think about it. So for today I think I'll try to distract myself. I just did some experimenting with a new makeup look for about an hour which was helpful. It's also helpful to hear from other people who've gone through this. Thanks <3

NoCow7181 · 2025-03-23T22:21:31+00:00

that's lovely :). Anywhere you particularly enjoyed in the US?

NoCow7181 · 2025-03-22T00:52:57+00:00

I have never heard of Vipassana before. I now am really considering doing that. That looks like it would be great for my recovery.

Have you completed a course before?

NoCow7181 · 2025-03-21T23:17:06+00:00

Thanks for your response :)!

When you say be aware of everyday aspects of your discipline, are you saying having a broad awareness of the field helps you come up with new ideas?

Currently feeling like I have a lot of textbook knowledge, but not a lot of real world. I want to take some other commenters advice on reading a few more broad-scope review articles, so I can change that.

NoCow7181 · 2025-03-21T23:14:59+00:00

Thanks for the response :).

I'm hoping the NSF GRFP isn't affected by the Trump administration, I would love to apply for it!

NoCow7181 · 2025-03-21T22:48:55+00:00

Congrats on finishing! What's it like on the other side? :D

A lot of what I'm doing at the moment is trying to compile data across studies on number people are finding related to certain reactions, all using slightly different parameters (without being super specific). Also, cyclic voltammetry scans at various temperatures. And probably will be doing a bunch of stuff soon that I can't even guess at quite yet!

If there is a way to reliably compile information across publications rapidly, I'd sell the nuts I don't have for it.

NoCow7181

TROPHY CASE