Writing and working in the final stages?
Hi everyone,
Hope the sunshine is as bright in Manchester or whatever part of the world you are in, as it is in London today. I am just back at work after spending 2 and a half weeks at the Irish seaside writing up the (closer-to) final draft of my thesis. It was great to get away from the world in that time and concentrate exclusively on my research.
Slow, and time consuming too, but incredibly worthwhile to get that feeling of battering my chapters into far better shape (or at least I hope they are in better shape). With nothing else in mind from morning to night (having left the wife & cat behind in London for most of the fortnight) I had a clear mind and focus on my study. There were though the odd interruption of work-related texts and calls which brought the ‘other’ world home to me from time to time.
However, now I am back again in the world of work which is where I have been for the past six years of my studies which are part-time as a consequence of this work, though no less life and weekend consuming than studying full time.
Yet as the deadline looms (2-4 months from now) it feels different coming back into full-time work after my short time away -knowing that if I had a whole unbroken month of time, everything would be far more polished – and just wondered how others among you have coped with this scenario, and created mental and physical spaces of escape from the hustle and bustle of work.
Any tips or thoughts on the experience would be appreciated.
Paul
Thanks Eljee – I think I have also managed to create a work schedule that will allow me to concentrate better on the final stages. It was so great being away and free from distraction for a fortnight, but it’s just about getting into a routine where I’m working towards that end goal. Tanya was successful in her viva so she has set the benchmark for us all.
Hi Paul. I’m sort of in the same boat, just working part time now as I move into the final stages of this thesis. I wrote a recent blog post on running, which for me is the way of managing my mental health. I suppose as the deadline draws near I become increasingly more disciplined with what (and who) I spend my time with. I keep to a strict schedule for the day, and focus on getting the top 3 things done. I work on them until they’re finished, but I don’t necessarily work on one until it’s done. For example, my goal today is 1) finish editing section 3.7, b) mark 1 assignment, c) check references for chapter 3. I don’t do anything else until they’re out of the way, then make another list of 3 things to do. I check my email twice a day (10am and 2pm). If it’s really important, they would have sent it early in the day and/or called me. I figure at this stage in the thesis writing I need to make me as a priority – it’s selfish in may ways, but it’s the only way I find I can create the space I need to keep moving forward. It gets better, I’m told, so I find some comfort in that 🙂