@ithinkwellhugh.bsky.social
1.7K followers 3K following 390 posts
Expert on procrastination, perfectionism, overcommitment, distraction. All the stuff researchers are really good at!
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ithinkwellhugh.bsky.social
Some of the most bitter disputes in academia relate to authorship. Who is on the paper? What is the author order? What are the personal politics involved? Ideally discuss authorship at the start of the project. If this feels uncomfortable it's a sign of potential problems ahead.
ithinkwellhugh.bsky.social
When you're setting yourself a goal, try the two goal approach.
First goal: The minimum I need to get done
Second goal: What I'll aim for if all goes well.
This means you won't be too disappointed if you don't reach your optimistic, but probably unrealistic higher target.
ithinkwellhugh.bsky.social
What you think about:
Your thesis - most of the time
Other things - a small amount of time

What your advisor thinks about:
Your thesis - a small amount of time
Other things - most of the time
ithinkwellhugh.bsky.social
How projects get derailed:
Have new idea
Start new project
Early enthusiasm
Encounter difficulties
Get bored
Have new idea.

Finish your current project before getting distracted by all the new shiny ones.
#PhDchat #ECRchat #postdoc
ithinkwellhugh.bsky.social
Diminishing returns:
You don't feel you've done enough so you work late
So you get less rest and sleep
Which means you get tired and run down
And you become less productive
So you work late the next day too.
You work longer and longer hours and get less and less done.
ithinkwellhugh.bsky.social
Monday morning: Brain loading
Time remaining: About 4 days and 6 hours.
ithinkwellhugh.bsky.social
What is your greatest weakness?
Um. I have so many. It's impossible to pick just one.
| Doug Savage
ithinkwellhugh.bsky.social
Are you an early bird?
Or a night owl?
Or maybe some form of permanently exhausted pigeon?
ithinkwellhugh.bsky.social
PhD students often tell me they have no idea how their research is going. You could ask your supervisor:
Am I on track?
Is this where I should be by now?
How do you think I’m going?
How do you think the research is going?
Supervisors often assume you know. You have to ask.
ithinkwellhugh.bsky.social
Shiny new project.
Do you have the time?
No: --> Don't do it.
Yes: --> No you don't.
ithinkwellhugh.bsky.social
What you think about:
Your thesis - most of the time
Other things - a small amount of time

What your advisor thinks about:
Your thesis - a small amount of time
Other things - most of the time
ithinkwellhugh.bsky.social
Sometimes you have to knock things down before you can rebuild.
You may have to delete sentences, paragraphs, pages and even chapters before you can build the next version. This can feel frustrating but it's progress.
ithinkwellhugh.bsky.social
When you're in the middle of some writing you might have a great idea on another topic. It's easy to get distracted or drawn away by the great new idea. Keep a good ideas book beside you and note them there to be followed up later. #PhDchat #PhDForum #academicchatter #ECRchat
ithinkwellhugh.bsky.social
Saying to a new #PhD student "Find the gap in the literature" is a big ask.
It's like saying look for something that isn't there. How can you ever be sure you've found a gap? Maybe you just haven't looked long enough.
Some guidance from the supervisor could help a lot.
ithinkwellhugh.bsky.social
When you start a #PhD you will probably feel like Manuel.
I know nooothing.
I know nooothing.
But that's OK. Everyone else feels the same way.
And you will learn. Ask lots of questions.
#PhD #PhDchat #PhDForum #PhDlife
ithinkwellhugh.bsky.social
Starting a PhD? You probably feel you know nothing.
That's OK. Everyone else feels the same.
Ask lots of questions.
#PhDchat #PHDForum
ithinkwellhugh.bsky.social
Know your imposter moments:
- Your first lecture
- A new role
- Writing
- When you make a mistoke
These might make you feel like an imposter but they don't mean you are one.
#PhDForum #gradschool
ithinkwellhugh.bsky.social
Imposter Feelings: You occasionally feel like a fraud even though there is evidence that you are not. From: buff.ly/2m9RArr #PhDforum #PhDchat #ECRchat #postdoc #impostersyndrome
ithinkwellhugh.bsky.social
I'm a failure

v

A failed attempt

@lizandmollie
ithinkwellhugh.bsky.social
In the #impostersyndrome we doubt ourselves.

But can be very adamant in our assessment of ourselves as imposters.

Maybe we should doubt our self-judgement as an imposter.
ithinkwellhugh.bsky.social
The closest we ever get to perfection is writing our cv. We put in all the achievements and we leave out the yucky bits. This makes it look like nobody has ever failed. Just a series of successes. Yet in reality everyone has setbacks, rejections and failures. #PhDchat #PhDforum
ithinkwellhugh.bsky.social
#impostersyndrome Flip flopping between the best and the worst.
ithinkwellhugh.bsky.social
The whole problem with the world is that fools and fanatics are always so certain of themselves, and wiser people are so full of doubts. Bertrand Russell. #impostersyndrome #PhDchat #ECRchat #postdoc
ithinkwellhugh.bsky.social
Are you even good enough to have imposter syndrome?