Forums > Social Discussion > Writing a thesis
Login/Join to ParticipateGOLD Member
just lost .... evil init
2,474 posts
Location: Adelaide, Australia
just lost .... evil init
2,474 posts
Location: Adelaide, Australia
Posted:
so ive finally started writing my thesis and omg its such a daunting task, ive written lots of little bits and pieces over the years but now the though of merging it all into one big cohesive document is just very
the literature review is just sooooo boring to write, i know i just need to bite the bullet and write the thing but god dammit anyway, any words of wisdom to ease the suffering from the drs out there?
so ive finally started writing my thesis and omg its such a daunting task, ive written lots of little bits and pieces over the years but now the though of merging it all into one big cohesive document is just very
the literature review is just sooooo boring to write, i know i just need to bite the bullet and write the thing but god dammit anyway, any words of wisdom to ease the suffering from the drs out there?Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourself, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous and talented? Who are you NOT to be?
GOLD Member
still can't believe it's not butter
6,978 posts
Location: Melbourne, Australia
still can't believe it's not butter
6,978 posts
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Posted:
take a night's break before each rewrite so that your editing is less biased from the ferwent pen-to-paper.
gooooood luuuuuuck beeeeen!
take a night's break before each rewrite so that your editing is less biased from the ferwent pen-to-paper.
gooooood luuuuuuck beeeeen!
Laugh Often, Smile Much, Post lolcats Always
GOLD Member
Carpal \'Tunnel
2,617 posts
Location: Berlin, Ireland
Carpal \'Tunnel
2,617 posts
Location: Berlin, Ireland
Posted:
Agghhhhhh man! I don't envy you!
No sliver bullet type advise dude...
As I'm sure you know and probably have been told... start as soon as possible and then sooner than that and then sooner than that...
Read at least 2 other thesis...not read but look at at least...
Hint: do the reference foot notes as you go and don't leave it till the end...it's the last thing you'll want to do...
Meet with your supervisor and show them what you have asap and as often as possible...and listen to them....I wish we had...
Erm yea not too useful advise yet but I'll think about it and see if I can remember anything...
Keep the faith dude
Agghhhhhh man! I don't envy you!
No sliver bullet type advise dude...
As I'm sure you know and probably have been told... start as soon as possible and then sooner than that and then sooner than that...
Read at least 2 other thesis...not read but look at at least...
Hint: do the reference foot notes as you go and don't leave it till the end...it's the last thing you'll want to do...
Meet with your supervisor and show them what you have asap and as often as possible...and listen to them....I wish we had...
Erm yea not too useful advise yet but I'll think about it and see if I can remember anything...
Keep the faith dude
I live in a world of infinite possibilities.
Dreamer
4,308 posts
Location: York, England
4,308 posts
Location: York, England
Posted:
When you have a day where you're braindead for several hours, calling it a day and doing something relaxing is prolly a good idea.
Otherwise, get yourself on a schedule, eat well, get some good sleep. And try not to be a walking zombie at the end of it like some of my friends have been, but of course you can't always help that....
When you have a day where you're braindead for several hours, calling it a day and doing something relaxing is prolly a good idea.
Otherwise, get yourself on a schedule, eat well, get some good sleep. And try not to be a walking zombie at the end of it like some of my friends have been, but of course you can't always help that....
Keep your dream alive
Dreamin is still how the strong survive
Shalom VeAhavah
New Hampshire has a point....
BRONZE Member
had her carpal tunnel surgery already thanks v much
4,145 posts
Location: Edinburgh, Scotland (UK)
had her carpal tunnel surgery already thanks v much
4,145 posts
Location: Edinburgh, Scotland (UK)
Posted:
Not a doctor yet... but... don't procrastinate as much as I do whenever I have to write stuff up
Literature... hmmmm... try to get hold of reference manager or something like it if you don't have it already, it saves you lots of work. Set yourself a goal for each day (literature about 1 topic, results of 1 section, formatting the graphs, etc).
Only merge it all in 1 document when the sections are completed, otherwise Windows (or whatever you use) will probably punish you.
Good luck
If I ever finish mine I'll travel Australia and NZ with the boyfriend, so we can remember the good old writing up times together
Not a doctor yet... but... don't procrastinate as much as I do whenever I have to write stuff up
Literature... hmmmm... try to get hold of reference manager or something like it if you don't have it already, it saves you lots of work. Set yourself a goal for each day (literature about 1 topic, results of 1 section, formatting the graphs, etc).
Only merge it all in 1 document when the sections are completed, otherwise Windows (or whatever you use) will probably punish you.
Good luck
If I ever finish mine I'll travel Australia and NZ with the boyfriend, so we can remember the good old writing up times together
"vices are like genitals - most are ugly to behold, and yet we find that our own are dear to us."
(G.W. Dahlquist)
Owner of Dragosani's left half
BRONZE Member
I invented the decaffinated coffee table.
453 posts
Location: Cornwall, United Kingdom
I invented the decaffinated coffee table.
453 posts
Location: Cornwall, United Kingdom
Posted:
I didn't get a PhD, my Doctorate is in Clinical Psychology, which is a slightly different process - I wrote my thesis over the last year and a bit, while working on clinical placements in the NHS (it's more similar to doing a medical doctorate).
I only handed it in in July, so it's all pretty fresh.
I certainly remember that writing the thing is pants.
My tips:
Break it down into chunks.
Write a schedule and try and stick to it
Send regular drafts to your supervisor
Admit when you're having an "off" day - sometimes it just won't come to you - take a break, and just think about it.
Have very regular breaks. Don't forget to eat
Don't forget to take screen breaks and stretch
Put it straight into the style it needs to be in - ie APA format or whatever, otherwise it'll be a bugger to do afterwards
Get Endnote to do your references for you
If you don't have EndNote remember to write your reference list as you go, it'll save time later
It can be done. I can do it. This is your mantra. Say it regularily.
Plan what you'll do when it's all over - it's something to aim for!
Make sure you've got all the papers you need and file them according to something, anything, just file them - otherwise they'll be everywhere and you won't find the one you need when you need it.
Absolutely make sure you've read some other theses. Keep one near you at all time for inspiration and guidance.
Meet with others doing their Doctorates quite often, you're all sharing the same experience and it can be good to rant together.
Definately rant regularily, scream, cry, throw things, ask for hugs.
Here, have a hug
Good luck!
Now get back to work and stop procrastinating!
You can do it!
I didn't get a PhD, my Doctorate is in Clinical Psychology, which is a slightly different process - I wrote my thesis over the last year and a bit, while working on clinical placements in the NHS (it's more similar to doing a medical doctorate).
I only handed it in in July, so it's all pretty fresh.
I certainly remember that writing the thing is pants.
My tips:
Break it down into chunks.
Write a schedule and try and stick to it
Send regular drafts to your supervisor
Admit when you're having an "off" day - sometimes it just won't come to you - take a break, and just think about it.
Have very regular breaks. Don't forget to eat
Don't forget to take screen breaks and stretch
Put it straight into the style it needs to be in - ie APA format or whatever, otherwise it'll be a bugger to do afterwards
Get Endnote to do your references for you
If you don't have EndNote remember to write your reference list as you go, it'll save time later
It can be done. I can do it. This is your mantra. Say it regularily.
Plan what you'll do when it's all over - it's something to aim for!
Make sure you've got all the papers you need and file them according to something, anything, just file them - otherwise they'll be everywhere and you won't find the one you need when you need it.
Absolutely make sure you've read some other theses. Keep one near you at all time for inspiration and guidance.
Meet with others doing their Doctorates quite often, you're all sharing the same experience and it can be good to rant together.
Definately rant regularily, scream, cry, throw things, ask for hugs.
Here, have a hug
Good luck!
Now get back to work and stop procrastinating!
You can do it!
Boo x
I intend to live forever - so far, so good.
If it costs "a penny for your thoughts", but people give you their "two-pence worth", who is getting the extra penny?
SILVER Member
lovin' it...
2,444 posts
Location: Bristol!, United Kingdom
lovin' it...
2,444 posts
Location: Bristol!, United Kingdom
Posted:
Ben.... I have no advice...
But just wanted to say Good Luck
I think when you've finished you should reward yourself with a little holiday......in other words, get your ass back over to the UK soon
Ben.... I have no advice...
But just wanted to say Good Luck
I think when you've finished you should reward yourself with a little holiday......in other words, get your ass back over to the UK soon
Live well, love much, laugh often...
Official O.B.E.S.E. cheerleader
Woman! Not gay Man!
332 posts
Location: Hull...ish
332 posts
Location: Hull...ish
Posted:
ohhh this scares me, I have all this to look forward to (I'm hoping to study a English and Journalism degree next year)
em...... I can only give you A-level type advice but.......em....... don't write for more than half an hour without breaks because after half an hour the quality of writing goes seriously downhill (makes you wonder why we have to sit such long exams)
make sur you dont go insane is the best advice I can give you
ohhh this scares me, I have all this to look forward to (I'm hoping to study a English and Journalism degree next year)
em...... I can only give you A-level type advice but.......em....... don't write for more than half an hour without breaks because after half an hour the quality of writing goes seriously downhill (makes you wonder why we have to sit such long exams)
make sur you dont go insane is the best advice I can give you
I AM NOT A GAY MAN!
activist for HoPper liberation.
1,643 posts
Location: ffidrac
1,643 posts
Location: ffidrac
Posted:
don't start at the beginning, that would be my advice, i always find it desperately hard to start something big like that from the beginning, so find a nice half way point to start from. good luck!
i want to write a thesis, i just got to find something i can write one for... it's nice to have a big wodge of paper what you wrote yourself.
don't start at the beginning, that would be my advice, i always find it desperately hard to start something big like that from the beginning, so find a nice half way point to start from. good luck!
i want to write a thesis, i just got to find something i can write one for... it's nice to have a big wodge of paper what you wrote yourself.
Aurinko freedom agreement reached 10th Sept 2006
if it makes no sense that's because it's NOn-sense.
BRONZE Member
old hand
1,107 posts
Location: In a test pit, Mackay, Australia
old hand
1,107 posts
Location: In a test pit, Mackay, Australia
Posted:
Every time you sit down, write for 15 mins to half an hour. It doesn't matter if what you write is the biggest pile of drivel (most theses are), it's way easier to edit a document than start from scratch, so once you get things on paper it gets easier.
And remember; who need research when you've got a good conclusion to leap to.
Every time you sit down, write for 15 mins to half an hour. It doesn't matter if what you write is the biggest pile of drivel (most theses are), it's way easier to edit a document than start from scratch, so once you get things on paper it gets easier.
And remember; who need research when you've got a good conclusion to leap to.
There is a slight possibility that I am not actually right all of the time.
SILVER Member
what goes around comes around. unless you're into stalls.
4,030 posts
Location: Bali, Australia
what goes around comes around. unless you're into stalls.
4,030 posts
Location: Bali, Australia
Posted:
Keywords. Once you've broken it into sections don't try to write it from the beginning in clear sentences...choose a section that appeals to you at the time you are having a writing session and 'brainstorm' it by writing key words and phrases that come to you in whatever order you like. That gets a mental flow going. Then go back to another section that you have already keyworded and start filling it out. When you get stuck, go to another one. That way you are working with flow rather than getting stuck on sticky bits.
ALso if you are using Word, use the Outline and Styles features, saves heaps of time formatting and makes it easier for you to break things down and order sections. I'm sure other WP programs have similar features...
Keywords. Once you've broken it into sections don't try to write it from the beginning in clear sentences...choose a section that appeals to you at the time you are having a writing session and 'brainstorm' it by writing key words and phrases that come to you in whatever order you like. That gets a mental flow going. Then go back to another section that you have already keyworded and start filling it out. When you get stuck, go to another one. That way you are working with flow rather than getting stuck on sticky bits.
ALso if you are using Word, use the Outline and Styles features, saves heaps of time formatting and makes it easier for you to break things down and order sections. I'm sure other WP programs have similar features...
.....Can't juggle balls but I sure as hell can juggle details....
SILVER Member
Pooh-Bah
1,750 posts
Location: london, United Kingdom
Pooh-Bah
1,750 posts
Location: london, United Kingdom
Posted:
I'm about to write a dissertation on otto neurath, gerd arntz, and ISOTYPE lol, yes not easy
I'm about to write a dissertation on otto neurath, gerd arntz, and ISOTYPE lol, yes not easy
Never assume
Always Acknowledge
Pooh-Bah
2,354 posts
Location: Away from home
2,354 posts
Location: Away from home
Posted:
Have you got something relatively simple like a materials and methods chapter? That's where I'm getting stuck in just now.
For the literature review I started off my writing subheadings and then putting all the relevant references under them. I think that may have been an advanced form of procrastination though
Good luck
Have you got something relatively simple like a materials and methods chapter? That's where I'm getting stuck in just now.
For the literature review I started off my writing subheadings and then putting all the relevant references under them. I think that may have been an advanced form of procrastination though
Good luck
SILVER Member
coming to a country near you
4,696 posts
Location: home of the tiney toothy bear, Australia
coming to a country near you
4,696 posts
Location: home of the tiney toothy bear, Australia
Posted:
my 3000 word assignment is due next friday or i fail the course, like most things in life, best get it over with.
my 3000 word assignment is due next friday or i fail the course, like most things in life, best get it over with.
"but have you considered there is more to life than your eyelids?"
jointly owned by Fire_Spinning_Angel and Blu_Valley
BRONZE Member
I invented the decaffinated coffee table.
453 posts
Location: Cornwall, United Kingdom
I invented the decaffinated coffee table.
453 posts
Location: Cornwall, United Kingdom
Posted:
More tips!
Useful Research Phrases and What They Really Mean
"It has long been known" . . .
[I didn't look up the original reference.]
"A definite trend is evident" . . .
[These data are practically meaningless.]
"Of great theoretical and practical importance" . . .
[Interesting to me.]
"While it has not been possible to provide definite answers to these questions" . . .
[An unsuccessful experiment but I still have to get it published.]
"Three of the samples were chosen for detailed study" . . .
[The results of the others didn't make any sense.]
"Typical results are shown" . . .
[The best results are shown.]
"These results will be shown in a subsequent report" . . .
[I might get around to this sometime if I'm pushed.]
"The most reliable results are those obtained by Jones" . . .
[He was my graduate assistant.]
"It is believed that" . . .
[I think]
"It is generally believed that" . . .
[A couple of other guys think so, too.]
"It is clear that much additional work will be required before a complete understanding occurs" . . .
[I don't understand it.]
"Correct within an order of magnitude" . . .
[Wrong]
"It is hoped that this study will stimulate further investigations in this field" . . .
[This is a lousy paper, but so are all the others on this miserable topic.]
"Thanks are due to Joe Blotz for assistance with the experiment and to George Frink for valuable assistance" . . .
[Blotz did the work and Frink explained to me what it meant.]
"A careful analysis of obtainable data" . . .
[Three pages of notes were obliterated when I knocked over a glass of beer.]
"It is clear that much additional work will be required before a complete understanding of this phenomenon occurs"...
[I don't understand it.]
"After additional study by my colleagues"...
[ They don't understand it either.]
"It is hoped that this study will stimulate further investigation in this field"...
[I quit.]
More tips!
Useful Research Phrases and What They Really Mean
"It has long been known" . . .
[I didn't look up the original reference.]
"A definite trend is evident" . . .
[These data are practically meaningless.]
"Of great theoretical and practical importance" . . .
[Interesting to me.]
"While it has not been possible to provide definite answers to these questions" . . .
[An unsuccessful experiment but I still have to get it published.]
"Three of the samples were chosen for detailed study" . . .
[The results of the others didn't make any sense.]
"Typical results are shown" . . .
[The best results are shown.]
"These results will be shown in a subsequent report" . . .
[I might get around to this sometime if I'm pushed.]
"The most reliable results are those obtained by Jones" . . .
[He was my graduate assistant.]
"It is believed that" . . .
[I think]
"It is generally believed that" . . .
[A couple of other guys think so, too.]
"It is clear that much additional work will be required before a complete understanding occurs" . . .
[I don't understand it.]
"Correct within an order of magnitude" . . .
[Wrong]
"It is hoped that this study will stimulate further investigations in this field" . . .
[This is a lousy paper, but so are all the others on this miserable topic.]
"Thanks are due to Joe Blotz for assistance with the experiment and to George Frink for valuable assistance" . . .
[Blotz did the work and Frink explained to me what it meant.]
"A careful analysis of obtainable data" . . .
[Three pages of notes were obliterated when I knocked over a glass of beer.]
"It is clear that much additional work will be required before a complete understanding of this phenomenon occurs"...
[I don't understand it.]
"After additional study by my colleagues"...
[ They don't understand it either.]
"It is hoped that this study will stimulate further investigation in this field"...
[I quit.]
Boo x
I intend to live forever - so far, so good.
If it costs "a penny for your thoughts", but people give you their "two-pence worth", who is getting the extra penny?
Pooh-Bah
2,354 posts
Location: Away from home
2,354 posts
Location: Away from home
Posted:
That list makes reading other peoples papers so much more interesting
That list makes reading other peoples papers so much more interesting
Pooh-Bah
1,662 posts
Location: Bristol
1,662 posts
Location: Bristol
Posted:
here's a kind of vaguely related question...
what's the difference between a thesis & a dissertation....or are they just different words for the same thing
here's a kind of vaguely related question...
what's the difference between a thesis & a dissertation....or are they just different words for the same thing
I had a dream that my friend had a
strong-bad pop up book,
it was the book of my dreams.
activist for HoPper liberation.
1,643 posts
Location: ffidrac
1,643 posts
Location: ffidrac
Posted:
dissertation is usually a hypothesis that is proved using an analysis of other people's work; and a thesis usually is your own hypothesis that you prove using your own method and research. and it's a lot longer.
or so i've been led to believe, correct me if i'm wrong.
dissertation is usually a hypothesis that is proved using an analysis of other people's work; and a thesis usually is your own hypothesis that you prove using your own method and research. and it's a lot longer.
or so i've been led to believe, correct me if i'm wrong.
Aurinko freedom agreement reached 10th Sept 2006
if it makes no sense that's because it's NOn-sense.
BRONZE Member
I invented the decaffinated coffee table.
453 posts
Location: Cornwall, United Kingdom
I invented the decaffinated coffee table.
453 posts
Location: Cornwall, United Kingdom
Posted:
Yeah - I agree that is the general difference - but the words are used interchangeably.
Also, people often refer to a master's (or post-grad) dissertation, but a doctoral thesis.
Yeah - I agree that is the general difference - but the words are used interchangeably.
Also, people often refer to a master's (or post-grad) dissertation, but a doctoral thesis.
Boo x
I intend to live forever - so far, so good.
If it costs "a penny for your thoughts", but people give you their "two-pence worth", who is getting the extra penny?
Dreamer
4,308 posts
Location: York, England
4,308 posts
Location: York, England
Posted:
That list is GREAT!
sent it on to another friend working on a phd as well....
he's not up to the writing part yet tho
That list is GREAT!
sent it on to another friend working on a phd as well....
he's not up to the writing part yet tho
Keep your dream alive
Dreamin is still how the strong survive
Shalom VeAhavah
New Hampshire has a point....
BRONZE Member
had her carpal tunnel surgery already thanks v much
4,145 posts
Location: Edinburgh, Scotland (UK)
had her carpal tunnel surgery already thanks v much
4,145 posts
Location: Edinburgh, Scotland (UK)
Posted:
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAARGH!!!!!
*jumps up and down a few times*
*stomps floor*
*hits some innocent bystanders*
*throws bits of ripped up paper everywhere*
(a bit better now, thanks for asking...)
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAARGH!!!!!
*jumps up and down a few times*
*stomps floor*
*hits some innocent bystanders*
*throws bits of ripped up paper everywhere*
(a bit better now, thanks for asking...)
"vices are like genitals - most are ugly to behold, and yet we find that our own are dear to us."
(G.W. Dahlquist)
Owner of Dragosani's left half
Pooh-Bah
2,354 posts
Location: Away from home
2,354 posts
Location: Away from home
Posted:
Birgit -
you just need to reach the stage where you leave everything that is imperfect / missing / plain wrong for corrections. It's very liberating.
Unfortunately I'm approaching my viva on Monday with the same attitude at the moment. Trying to thoroughly reread my thesis is seriously painful!
Birgit -
you just need to reach the stage where you leave everything that is imperfect / missing / plain wrong for corrections. It's very liberating.
Unfortunately I'm approaching my viva on Monday with the same attitude at the moment. Trying to thoroughly reread my thesis is seriously painful!
BRONZE Member
had her carpal tunnel surgery already thanks v much
4,145 posts
Location: Edinburgh, Scotland (UK)
had her carpal tunnel surgery already thanks v much
4,145 posts
Location: Edinburgh, Scotland (UK)
Posted:
Right now it's the mix of...
- having 40-odd microarrays to analyse by myself
- things not working that used to be perfect before Christmas
- just getting the first bits with corrections back
- supposedly writing up new stuff while doing that
- AND applying for jobs on top of it all
- and all the "usual" experiments to do while I have nothing better to do
I just don't know where to start
Add to that medics in the lab who keep using up your stuff when you really need it and it's not there in the middle of an experiment, so that you have 2 extra hours of work while of course they leave at 5.00 pm and get paid more than twice your salary and it gets slightly frustrating.
Am still debating with myself whether to do Beltane or not, but memories of group organisers that don't really give a damn that you've been working till 7, then have to run to be at practice at 7.30 without dinner and then have a go because you only make it to the other side of town for 7.40 and tell you off for not being committed and respecting your group is not that attractive. (not Ben, Ben was lovely)
As much as I love Beltane and the people, having some undergrad with 15 hours of lectures and an essay a week or someone who can take days off when it suits them (not their supervisors and cell cultures) and arrange practices & costume making to whatever time's best for them telling me that it should be the most important thing in my life right now to be crawling through the mud for group-bonding would probably make me laugh at them. Or throw something heavy
EDITED_BY: Birgit (1171381748)
Right now it's the mix of...
- having 40-odd microarrays to analyse by myself
- things not working that used to be perfect before Christmas
- just getting the first bits with corrections back
- supposedly writing up new stuff while doing that
- AND applying for jobs on top of it all
- and all the "usual" experiments to do while I have nothing better to do
I just don't know where to start
Add to that medics in the lab who keep using up your stuff when you really need it and it's not there in the middle of an experiment, so that you have 2 extra hours of work while of course they leave at 5.00 pm and get paid more than twice your salary and it gets slightly frustrating.
Am still debating with myself whether to do Beltane or not, but memories of group organisers that don't really give a damn that you've been working till 7, then have to run to be at practice at 7.30 without dinner and then have a go because you only make it to the other side of town for 7.40 and tell you off for not being committed and respecting your group is not that attractive. (not Ben, Ben was lovely)
As much as I love Beltane and the people, having some undergrad with 15 hours of lectures and an essay a week or someone who can take days off when it suits them (not their supervisors and cell cultures) and arrange practices & costume making to whatever time's best for them telling me that it should be the most important thing in my life right now to be crawling through the mud for group-bonding would probably make me laugh at them. Or throw something heavy
EDITED_BY: Birgit (1171381748)
"vices are like genitals - most are ugly to behold, and yet we find that our own are dear to us."
(G.W. Dahlquist)
Owner of Dragosani's left half
SILVER Member
addict
449 posts
Location: Australia
addict
449 posts
Location: Australia
Posted:
You should post it on hop. That way we can proof-read it.
You should post it on hop. That way we can proof-read it
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