A funny take on writing my methodology chapter, it serves one confused graduate researcher, and very supportive tribe of research coaches and academics.
You got me with the X-files pic LOL. A favorite show for me too. I really enjoyed the read. I love the use of humor to convey whatever message. I have thought of doing the PhD. For my BS of Criminal Justice, I was required to take a class called senior seminar in which I had to create a survey, conduct it and then analyze, similar to a journal article with the abstract, discussion, conclusion etc. I took only this class over a summer. It was pretty stressful and my family did not enjoy me LOL. 75 pages and I chose different demographics for the survey with the most challenging being three age groups. Sending surveys with a friend to her church group to get the oldest group fulfilled. So many amusing things of that time including taking classes in a rural area, talking to my professor only by phone and meeting him, for the first time, at graduation. 😂And that paper was far more work than anything in my master's program!
Thanks for reading glad it resonated, looks like you had a similar experience, it's all madness isn't it! I agree it's a stressful experience it would put anyone off a PhD... What country are you in? Sounds like things are a little different but same there. I will keep your experience in mind when getting excited about research project assessments in my class🙏🏼
As a PhD survivor, I loved this so much. You captured the chaos of thesis writing so well — the rabbit holes, the overthinking, the sudden brilliant idea that makes you rewrite everything, and the moment when you ask yourself what your research question was again.
I also really liked how honest and funny this was. People often talk about PhD writing as if it is this clean, logical process, but so much of it is really trying to make sense of your own confusion while pretending you are very calm and academic.
Hi Sara, firstly I love that you introduce yourself as a PhD survivor! It is an intense experience. I am usually quite reserved and diplomatic, but I had a lot of fun adding all my thoughts into this piece, it is a chaotic and confusing time while holding composure, I heard it will just click one day...I am waiting! Thank you for being here reading and writing. Much appreciated. 🙏🏼
Thanks Anne for being here and reading. It was the perfect emotional release for me.
Thanks for the cat pee tip, she has peed three times now. Grrr also likes to sleep on my clothes too so the soft texture makes sense. I heard spraying citrus spray on covers might work, have you heard of that?
You got me with the X-files pic LOL. A favorite show for me too. I really enjoyed the read. I love the use of humor to convey whatever message. I have thought of doing the PhD. For my BS of Criminal Justice, I was required to take a class called senior seminar in which I had to create a survey, conduct it and then analyze, similar to a journal article with the abstract, discussion, conclusion etc. I took only this class over a summer. It was pretty stressful and my family did not enjoy me LOL. 75 pages and I chose different demographics for the survey with the most challenging being three age groups. Sending surveys with a friend to her church group to get the oldest group fulfilled. So many amusing things of that time including taking classes in a rural area, talking to my professor only by phone and meeting him, for the first time, at graduation. 😂And that paper was far more work than anything in my master's program!
Thanks for reading glad it resonated, looks like you had a similar experience, it's all madness isn't it! I agree it's a stressful experience it would put anyone off a PhD... What country are you in? Sounds like things are a little different but same there. I will keep your experience in mind when getting excited about research project assessments in my class🙏🏼
I'm in the United States, Michigan
Hello USA 🇺🇸
As a PhD survivor, I loved this so much. You captured the chaos of thesis writing so well — the rabbit holes, the overthinking, the sudden brilliant idea that makes you rewrite everything, and the moment when you ask yourself what your research question was again.
I also really liked how honest and funny this was. People often talk about PhD writing as if it is this clean, logical process, but so much of it is really trying to make sense of your own confusion while pretending you are very calm and academic.
Hi Sara, firstly I love that you introduce yourself as a PhD survivor! It is an intense experience. I am usually quite reserved and diplomatic, but I had a lot of fun adding all my thoughts into this piece, it is a chaotic and confusing time while holding composure, I heard it will just click one day...I am waiting! Thank you for being here reading and writing. Much appreciated. 🙏🏼
Perfect Sunday morning journey. Thanks so much for sharing 💕
PS re: cat bed… probably because it’s soft? Mine has kindly trained me not to leave towels or laundry on the floor.
Instead she has a special soft rug covered by an absorbent liner. (I use disposable but there are also washable versions.)
Thanks Anne for being here and reading. It was the perfect emotional release for me.
Thanks for the cat pee tip, she has peed three times now. Grrr also likes to sleep on my clothes too so the soft texture makes sense. I heard spraying citrus spray on covers might work, have you heard of that?
I have a spray that’s supposed to keep them off the counters and includes citrus… mine doesn’t care about it, maybe worth a try though.
Thanks so much yes I will look for it, she jumps on our kitchen counter too and it gives us the eeeks! I guess it's a cat thing...
This was great, funny, and above all, human! Thanks for the kind shout-out. Happy to be following you on your journey.
Thanks Patrick, glad you enjoyed it, it was a great creative release for me... For sure 😁
A brilliant piece of writing and extremely funny. Thanks for the shout out 🙏
Thanks, funny man, my app keeps glitching, now that Heaths picture is up it makes more sense:-) Thanks for the inspiration