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Diss with Kids?

ABD1: diss+kids how possible or impossible? Jun 3, 2005 4:55:43 PM CDT 
ABD2: I know <a PhD> did a Diss+kids...but one of my close friends is really struggling with it... Jun 3, 2005 4:56:40 PM CDT
ABD3: I definately don't recommend diss and newborn unless you can afford not to work Jun 3, 2005 4:57:11 PM CDT
ABD1: so what conclusions about diss+social life? Jun 3, 2005 4:58:24 PM CDT
ABD4 : in my opinion, diss + social life is essential Jun 3, 2005 4:58:50 PM CDT
ABD4 : I used to go by a "work hard, play hard" mentality Jun 3, 2005 4:59:04 PM CDT
ABD2: they are a necessary contradiction? Jun 3, 2005 4:59:17 PM CDT
ABD4 : I'm finding more sanity in moderation, thought Jun 3, 2005 4:59:19 PM CDT
ABD3: I agree, moderation is the key! Jun 3, 2005 4:59:46 PM CDT
ABD1: i think when planned every week so they are auto and you don't have to be creative with it or a people mover ok Jun 3, 2005 5:00:09 PM CDT
ABD3: I agree better to plan specific things that don't take extra energy Jun 3, 2005 5:00:37 PM CDT
ABD1: what we do is I make a wish list and get inspired by it for planning sat fun day Jun 3, 2005 5:01:01 PM CDT
ABD3: I only schedule afternoon walks, weekend playdates, or weeknight dinners or early events. Jun 3, 2005 5:01:18 PM CDT
ABD4 : inspiration is valuable, I just realized that's one of the most valuable things I get from taking time off of working on the diss Jun 3, 2005 5:01:42 PM CDT
ABD4 : I miss the work Jun 3, 2005 5:01:57 PM CDT
ABD4 : I talk to others about my topic Jun 3, 2005 5:02:05 PM CDT
ABD4 : Someone helps me formulate an idea or solution Jun 3, 2005 5:02:23 PM CDT

Social Life?

ABD3: Do you find this, love hate relationship with social life - really need it but really don't have time for it but really need it! :) Jun 3, 2005 4:46:20 PM CDT
ABD1: yes Jun 3, 2005 4:46:32 PM CDT
ABD2: Yes....I do very much Jun 3, 2005 4:46:36 PM CDT
ABD4 : I need it, just realized last night, finally had some new friends in new town over for dinner Jun 3, 2005 4:46:50 PM CDT
ABD1: i've recently found the need to go <blank> or something Jun 3, 2005 4:46:59 PM CDT
ABD3: I made a rule. One social event a weekend, exercise and sunlight for at least 20 minutes each day! Jun 3, 2005 4:47:01 PM CDT
ABD1: I try to streamline it too Jun 3, 2005 4:47:28 PM CDT
ABD1: fix it in the schedule so there's no question of when to say no or yes Jun 3, 2005 4:47:49 PM CDT
ABD3: <blank>, ha! How about, do you find that after a day of dissertationing you are about as exciting as a block of wood (kidding) :) Jun 3, 2005 4:47:52 PM CDT
ABD4 : yes, i find I have to schedule my fun time, too Jun 3, 2005 4:48:13 PM CDT
ABD4 : I start to feel guilty about it, then I remind myself that I am a WHOLE PERSON, and the yin of work need the yang of relaxing Jun 3, 2005 4:48:46 PM CDT
ABD2: I struggle with the guilt feelings when I do go out and do something... Jun 3, 2005 4:48:53 PM CDT
ABD2: ...and when I don't, I feel guilty about not hanging out with friends... Jun 3, 2005 4:49:16 PM CDT
ABD1: but it's all got to be set inthe schedule, right? Jun 3, 2005 4:49:23 PM CDT
ABD3: I think the balance definately helps the dissertationing otherwise I find myself feeling isolated and too restless to work. Jun 3, 2005 4:49:27 PM CDT
ABD1: so no guilt more automatic Jun 3, 2005 4:49:33 PM CDT
ABD1: sat is always a day off or nothing good gets done in the coming week Jun 3, 2005 4:50:18 PM CDT
ABD4 : I've heard a couple poeple find success with the "day of play" rule Jun 3, 2005 4:50:39 PM CDT

Emotional Coaching

ABD3: Okay, so maybe this is more interesting, how about, do you use your chair as an emotional coach? Jun 3, 2005 4:29:37 PM CDT
ABD3: I have not used my chair for coaching much. We are very professional and to the point. Jun 3, 2005 4:30:26 PM CDT
ABD2: I took it as a note that students are individuals and need to be treated as such... Jun 3, 2005 4:30:50 PM CDT
ABD2: some want to find it all themsleves - others want guidance. Jun 3, 2005 4:31:01 PM CDT
ABD1: i think you need to take your cues from the chair interaction with you Jun 3, 2005 4:31:10 PM CDT
ABD4 : my chair tries to coach me, but I have a hard time asking for what I need from X, she has a hard time understanding me when I do pipe up Jun 3, 2005 4:31:21 PM CDT
ABD3: I agree ABD2 it really seems to depend. I know people who rely on their chairs for everything! Jun 3, 2005 4:31:26 PM CDT
ABD4 : I think its dangerous to rely on one person for everything Jun 3, 2005 4:31:48 PM CDT
ABD3: I send my questions ahead of time by e-mail to my chair along with any completed documents Jun 3, 2005 4:31:58 PM CDT
ABD2: I know things about what is going on in my chairs personal life - and I share some with X - but I don't think you can rely on a chair to be an emotional coach too much. Jun 3, 2005 4:32:34 PM CDT
ABD4 : I trry to let X know when I'm going through stuff e.g., painful toothache, couldn't think straight- I wrote her to say both "woe is me, please comfort" and "here's why I'm not making progress right now Jun 3, 2005 4:33:00 PM CDT
ABD1: who can be the emotional coach Jun 3, 2005 4:33:00 PM CDT
ABD1: I think that's risky, ABD4 Jun 3, 2005 4:33:27 PM CDT
ABD4 : what's risky? Jun 3, 2005 4:33:40 PM CDT
ABD3: My chair is great and I have been very happy although there were times I was tempted to be more personal. I think you're right to ask for that from time to time. Jun 3, 2005 4:33:41 PM CDT
ABD2: I think that some of that role can be taken on friends and family. Jun 3, 2005 4:33:58 PM CDT
ABD1: getting your chair involved in daily problems Jun 3, 2005 4:34:19 PM CDT
ABD2: Trying to think of it from a chair's perspective - there is a professional distance that they need to maintain too... Jun 3, 2005 4:34:21 PM CDT
ABD3: I agree because after all if you present all your problems your problems will become part of the impression you make! Jun 3, 2005 4:34:26 PM CDT
ABD1: and come out in recs Jun 3, 2005 4:34:39 PM CDT
ABD4 : it wasn't a daily problem, I had an incompetent dentist and it went on for weeks, mind numbing pain Jun 3, 2005 4:34:44 PM CDT
ABD4 : I agree, I would never go to her with every bump and bruise, but when it gets in the way of me making progress, I needed to let her know that something was preventing me from working, and I was trying to get it solved Jun 3, 2005 4:35:39 PM CDT
ABD3: That sounds like an important one! We had a death in the family and my husband lost his job. Those had to come out because they affected my progress. Jun 3, 2005 4:35:46 PM CDT
ABD2: You know - sometimes I think that we (Grad students) should go in with whatever progress we have made...and not need to make excuses for not reaching the high standards we set for ourselves... Jun 3, 2005 4:37:07 PM CDT
ABD4 : there's a difference between excuses we often make, and actual things that impeed our progress. Hopefully the student is honest enough with him/herself to know the difference Jun 3, 2005 4:38:16 PM CDT

Finding Support

Finding someone else I could talk with face-to-face as a sounding board.  The last thing you need is someone else adding to your dissertation.  Your committee will have plenty of needs and wants to satisfy.

Maintaining Focus

ABD3: Do you find that when you sit in front of the computer too long you get fuzzy? May 20, 2005 4:56:20 PM CDT
ABD3: Do you have any anti-fuzzy strategies? May 20, 2005 4:56:54 PM CDT
ABD1: my eyes are seeing my keyboard funny right now May 20, 2005 4:56:59 PM CDT
ABD2: Actually TV can help with that May 20, 2005 4:57:14 PM CDT
ABD2: oddly i find May 20, 2005 4:57:29 PM CDT
ABD1: I lay down on the floor with my knees up, my arms across my chest and my eyes closed May 20, 2005 4:57:40 PM CDT
ABD3: I didn't know that about Tv. I really like the laying on the floor stuff! :) May 20, 2005 4:58:19 PM CDT
ABD2: TV is good for easing the brain May 20, 2005 4:58:43 PM CDT
ABD2: it's easy and brings the brain back from a tangled state May 20, 2005 4:59:11 PM CDT
ABD1: TV is the bane of my existance! Next thing I know its 3 hours later and I'm swearing at myself May 20, 2005 4:59:12 PM CDT
ABD1: but it does relax my bain May 20, 2005 4:59:26 PM CDT
ABD2: have you experimiented w/music and writing? May 20, 2005 5:00:00 PM CDT
ABD3: Also, I take walks and swim but that feels longer than doing yoga in the next room. May 20, 2005 5:00:07 PM CDT
ABD2: it has to be quick and close by May 20, 2005 5:00:31 PM CDT
ABD2: not classical May 20, 2005 5:00:40 PM CDT
ABD2: surprisingly May 20, 2005 5:00:47 PM CDT
ABD3: really? May 20, 2005 5:00:52 PM CDT
ABD1: I got a "10 minute solution" exercise tape has both yoga and pilates, also has kickboxing so you can pretend to kick the advisor of choice May 20, 2005 5:00:55 PM CDT
ABD3: Ha! May 20, 2005 5:01:06 PM CDT
ABD2: I've been trying allsorts of new stuff May 20, 2005 5:01:11 PM CDT
ABD1: I like modern stuff too,classical lulls me May 20, 2005 5:01:18 PM CDT
ABD1: what works for you? May 20, 2005 5:01:26 PM CDT
ABD2: well, lately, nature sounds May 20, 2005 5:01:39 PM CDT
ABD1: Bob Schnieder lonely land was great this afternoon, I evengot up and danced around for my favorite song May 20, 2005 5:02:26 PM CDT
ABD2: it really depend on the rythm you're in May 20, 2005 5:02:34 PM CDT
ABD2: Japenese flute May 20, 2005 5:02:43 PM CDT
ABD2: or even swing if you need May 20, 2005 5:02:57 PM CDT
ABD3: That's actually a really good idea because otherwise you forget to get up. May 20, 2005 5:03:02 PM CDT
ABD2: but the music can extend you out and susstain you May 20, 2005 5:03:34 PM CDT
ABD1: since I have the pogo problem--up/down up/down I never work more than 4 hours at a time May 20, 2005 5:04:02 PM CDT
 

Maintaining Writing Discipline

Self-discipline. I know it's a dead horse, but it's so true! A silly thing that I do when I'm having trouble making myself work is special music that I only play when I'm working on my dissertation.  I put these particular 5 CDs in the player and when that music is in, the only thing I do is write.  I take breaks only when the CD changes (or the CDs end).

  • Sending my wife and kids away almost every weekend for the last three months I was working on the dissertation.
  • Patience and persistence.

Procrastinating

ABD5: so back to the topic, WHY do we work or not work in a given week? Jul 1, 2005 4:27:31 PM CDT
ABD1: yes WHY do we NOT work Jul 1, 2005 4:27:59 PM CDT
ABD5: I spent all week 'thinking' but that's not writing Jul 1, 2005 4:28:15 PM CDT
ABD4: Personally, I don't have time to procrasinate so I don't. Maybe we just have to close oursevles in on a schedule? Jul 1, 2005 4:28:17 PM CDT
ABD1: i wrote a million other things except the diss Jul 1, 2005 4:28:36 PM CDT
IE: thinking is good...writing shouldn't always be the only metric Jul 1, 2005 4:28:48 PM CDT
ABD4: But the writing process includes brainstorming, organizing, editing, etc... and we probably do a lot of it in our heads. Jul 1, 2005 4:29:13 PM CDT

Journal Keeping

ABD1: do you keep a journal ABD2? Jul 15, 2005 4:40:31 PM CDT
ABD1: that's on topic actually Jul 15, 2005 4:40:44 PM CDT
ABD2: yeah, i used to but it's kind of fell off Jul 15, 2005 4:40:58 PM CDT
ABD2: I write notes to myself, but sometimes I lose track of them Jul 15, 2005 4:41:07 PM CDT
ABD1: well, lately i've found . . . . Jul 15, 2005 4:41:08 PM CDT
ABD1: that keeping a doc that i journal in keeps me flowing Jul 15, 2005 4:41:29 PM CDT
ABD2: hmm thats a good idea Jul 15, 2005 4:41:49 PM CDT
ABD1: and into the journal goes all that is not appropriate in the diss Jul 15, 2005 4:41:51 PM CDT
ABD2: that way I'm at least writing Jul 15, 2005 4:42:00 PM CDT
ABD2: and the editor is off Jul 15, 2005 4:42:04 PM CDT
ABD1: and also it just keeps you doint the act of writing yesss Jul 15, 2005 4:42:06 PM CDT
ABD1: yes Jul 15, 2005 4:42:10 PM CDT
ABD1: ! Jul 15, 2005 4:42:14 PM CDT
ABD1: i just keep a doc on the desktop for htat Jul 15, 2005 4:42:38 PM CDT
ABD2: that's a good idea, and it sounds like it's one long document Jul 15, 2005 4:42:49 PM CDT
ABD1: indeed Jul 15, 2005 4:42:55 PM CDT
ABD1: as you say Jul 15, 2005 4:42:58 PM CDT
ABD2: I think I'd read past entries if it's all in one place Jul 15, 2005 4:42:59 PM CDT
ABD1: ok Jul 15, 2005 4:43:08 PM CDT
ABD1: what about emails to yourself Jul 15, 2005 4:43:15 PM CDT
ABD2: I've tried doing separate docs for different days, and they just end up piling up Jul 15, 2005 4:43:17 PM CDT
ABD1: : ) Jul 15, 2005 4:43:29 PM CDT
ABD2: I do e-mail little inspirations to myself, what do you e-mail to yourself? Jul 15, 2005 4:43:33 PM CDT
ABD1: the same Jul 15, 2005 4:43:39 PM CDT
ABD2: must... have .... inspiration Jul 15, 2005 4:43:50 PM CDT
ABD1: what do you email to you? Jul 15, 2005 4:46:00 PM CDT
ABD2: reminders to keep with it, keep hope alive, not to beat myself up (I tend to do that) Jul 15, 2005 4:46:35 PM CDT
ABD1: i love it Jul 15, 2005 4:46:42 PM CDT
ABD1: really Jul 15, 2005 4:46:46 PM CDT
ABD2: :) Jul 15, 2005 4:46:53 PM CDT

Sources of Assistance

Bob Penman in the Graduate School
We offer free help and consulting for those lost souls with thesis/dissertation problems. If I'm available at the time, I'm happy to help with any issues you have, and we can also schedule an appointment (in the afternoons) when we can consult either on the phone or in-person at my office.

Jennifer Cook, Professional Editor
I recommend everybody take Bob Penman up on his offer...not enough students know about free help available.

Also, I have created a template in Word for UT students. Go to: http://www.editorjen.com

Scroll down to the University of Texas section and you can right-click on the link and download a Word document. It's free, at least for now!!

Library Services

The university library system will mail you any books you like for free and include addressed and postage paid envelopes for you to return them prior to their due dates. Our student fees cover this. They'll email you scanned copies of articles found at UT, check out books to you using the D-doc service, and borrow from other libraries on your behalf.  In short, they are wonderful! To make use of the services, you have to register as a distance learner. You can find more about this at: http://www.lib.utexas.edu/services/offcampus/

UT students have privileges at other institutions. It's called the Research Library Cooperative Program with UC Berkley or Stanford. This works well if you're near these schools, but I think we also have access to their electronic sources as well.
Info at: http://www-sul.stanford.edu/depts/ils/RLCP/NewRLCP.html

You can contact your specialty's librarian via email. They are very kind and VERY helpful.

Making the Jump to Off-Campus ABD Status

  • I have found being away from the university to actually be beneficial for me and more motivating. I was not really happy in Austin. So, I've found that moving someplace I really like has improved my motivation overall. I also did another "no-no" according to most people, which is that I am working full-time.
  • I am lucky in the sense that my advisor is supportive of my being away. However, my advisor was not at first and I had to have a heart-to-heart with him in order to change his mind.
  • I have had what I perceive as a tremendously rough time adjusting to the "distance" issue. (FYI- I think it has been just as frustrating for my advisor). Although distance has taught me much about independence, it has been near impossible trying to have routine meaningful exchanges with each of my committee members. Sometimes I get terse replies to my email and sometimes I get no reply at all. Nonetheless, it is MY responsibility to prompt such exchanges if I am in need of help. If one of them refuses to answer (or forgets), then it is MY responsibility to remind them of my need.