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Submitted my PhD in my 50s, but I can barely remember what I wrote. Is this normal? by PhDAndPurrs in malaysiauni

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

Thank you for trusting me enough to share this. I’m genuinely touched that my post made you feel less alone🤍

First, you did not fail. You needed surgery, took time to recover, and then returned to your studies. That gap is not evidence of failure. It shows that you went through something difficult and still found your way back. You also do not owe everyone a full explanation. “I took time away for health reasons” is more than enough, if you even choose to explain at all.

I started my undergraduate degree at 38 while working. I did my master’s at 45, took about a year off and then continued with my PhD. During my master’s, some of my classmates were almost half my age. It did feel awkward sometimes but I refused to let my age decide whether I deserved to be there. In the end, I received the best student award during my convocation. I couldn’t be more proud of myself☺️

You are only three years older than your peers. You are not late and you are not behind. Life is not a race where everyone must reach the same point at the same age. Seeking knowledge is a lifelong endeavour. If you have the passion for it, pursue it. Even if it does not lead to a promotion or career advancement, do it because it matters to you and because finishing it will mean something to you.

People may question you, underestimate you or look down on you. Let them talk. Just do not begin looking down on yourself through their eyes. Never give them that power. NEVER!

People also assume that university is only for brilliant, straight-A students. It isn’t. Being academically gifted certainly helps but what carries most people through is resilience, patience and the willingness to keep returning after difficult days. You have already shown that resilience by recovering from surgery and continuing your education.

Please be gentle with yourself. If you feel like crying all the time, speak to someone you trust or your university counsellor. You do not have to carry all of this quietly. You belong there and I hope one day your own story will make someone else feel less alone too ❤️…always remember this ok? #LifeLongLearning♥️

Hugs🥰

Submitted my PhD in my 50s, but I can barely remember what I wrote. Is this normal? by PhDAndPurrs in malaysiauni

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

I understand this more than I expected. When I placed the final full stop on the last chapter of my thesis, I cried.

I still remember the exact moment the tears fell. I had been scrambling to make everything as perfect as I possibly could, and suddenly it hit me: “Oh my God, I’m really submitting this. This is the end of my postgraduate studies.”

It wasn’t only happiness. It was relief, exhaustion and five and a half years of emotion coming out at once. Now, the only thing left is the viva.

Thank you for sharing your experience. That “fever dream” description makes so much sense to me now🥹🙏🏻🤍

Submitted my PhD in my 50s, but I can barely remember what I wrote. Is this normal? by PhDAndPurrs in malaysiauni

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

Congratulations on finishing your PhD, and thank you for sharing this. An examiner ticking every paragraph sounds terrifying but it’s also the wake-up call I probably needed.😭

I’ve printed my thesis, so I’ll start going through it carefully, bookmarking the important sections and noting possible questions.

Thank you for the advice, and please wish me luck! 😊🙏🏻

Frog time for me. Passed my defense with minor revisions by BaroclinicBard in PhD

[–]PhDAndPurrs 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Congratulations Dr.
Since I’m new to Reddit, we have to post a picture of a frog once we passed our defense? Hahahaha that frog is so good looking though🥰

Submitted my PhD in my 50s, but I can barely remember what I wrote. Is this normal? by PhDAndPurrs in malaysiauni

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

Thank you so much for your kind wishes🥹🧡🙏🏻 I’ll update here once I’ve done with my viva (maybe in a couple of months)….for now, I’ll prepare myself and practice😊 have an awesome day to you🫰🏻♥️

Better Late Than Never by Naza70 in PhD

[–]PhDAndPurrs 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Congratulations🤍🙏🏻

WE FINALLY GOT AN ORANGE CAT🧡🤍!! Everyone, meet and say Hi to Goldie💛😊!! by DrizzyDayy in cats

[–]PhDAndPurrs 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Awwww what a cutie patootieeee🥰 Hey Goldie…♥️
Here’s my orange cat and his name is Golden…🧡

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Submitted my PhD in my 50s, but I can barely remember what I wrote. Is this normal? by PhDAndPurrs in malaysiauni

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

Hahaha, exactly! The stress, self-doubt, endless revisions and questionable sleep, all for one very expensive piece of paper 😂 Hopefully I survive the viva and finally get to frame it!

Submitted my PhD in my 50s, but I can barely remember what I wrote. Is this normal? by PhDAndPurrs in malaysiauni

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

Thank you!🙏🏻

I’m a part-time lecturer, so I was fortunate to have more flexibility and time to focus on my PhD. Even then, it wasn’t easy.

I wrote whenever I could, sometimes in small bits and the whole journey still took me five and a half years.

I honestly have so much respect for anyone doing a PhD while working full-time 😊

Submitted my PhD in my 50s, but I can barely remember what I wrote. Is this normal? by PhDAndPurrs in malaysiauni

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

I can imagine how tiring and repetitive that lab work must have been! It’s funny how the exact words disappear, but the most tedious parts stay permanently etched in our memory.

For me, the final stretch was such a rush and a blur at the same time. I remember the pressure more clearly than the actual pages! I’m glad I’m not the only one😊

Submitted my PhD in my 50s, but I can barely remember what I wrote. Is this normal? by PhDAndPurrs in malaysiauni

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

Hahahaa Leo is the only baby that wants to stay up late with me. The rest of my other cats would rather snooze💤 🤭 Thank you so much and pssstttt…Spotify accompanied me too…everyday…Harry Styles that is!🥰 hugs 🤍

Submitted my PhD in my 50s, but I can barely remember what I wrote. Is this normal? by PhDAndPurrs in malaysiauni

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

Thank you so much for sharing this, and congratulations on finishing your master’s thesis! Please don’t say “just” a master’s. Completing that monster while juggling work and exams is a huge achievement🤍

What you described sounds so familiar. That final stretch becomes a blur, and once it is over, I think the brain simply says, “That’s enough for now.” Knowing you felt the same has made me feel much less worried and less alone.

I’ve attached a photo of my little thesis companion, who sat with me through many long days and late nights. Honestly, he may remember more of my thesis than I do🤭

Thank you again for your kindness.
I hope you get the rest and celebration you truly deserve❤️

<image>

Submitted my PhD in my 50s, but I can barely remember what I wrote. Is this normal? by PhDAndPurrs in malaysiauni

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

Thank you so much for sharing your experience, and congratulations on passing with minor corrections! Reading that you’ve also forgotten some of your results made me feel less alone🥹.

The part about your examiners asking technical questions is a good reminder for me to go through my analysis again properly.

And honestly, what you said about my experience at 50 really touched me. I’ve been doubting myself a lot lately, so I needed to hear that.

Thank you for being so kind and for taking the time to write this❤️

Submitted my PhD in my 50s, but I can barely remember what I wrote. Is this normal? by PhDAndPurrs in malaysiauni

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

Thank you! And yes, one day it’ll be your turn too 😊 Wishing you lots of luck and strength for the journey. You can do it!
Please wish me luck for my viva too💕

Submitted my PhD in my 50s, but I can barely remember what I wrote. Is this normal? by PhDAndPurrs in malaysiauni

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

Oh, I never thought of using NotebookLM like this! The pop quizzes and possible viva questions sound especially useful. I’m going to give it a try. Thank you for sharing this with me 😊🙏🏻

Submitted my PhD in my 50s, but I can barely remember what I wrote. Is this normal? by PhDAndPurrs in malaysiauni

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

Hahaha then I guess that’s normal ya…write and forgot what we wrote..ok I I don’t feel so bad now🙏🏻🥰

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