Dissertation Frustration

Happy Monday, folks! I wanted to make this week’s post a vlog, but I think I might cry if I try to talk about it on camera. I received an email from my dissertation chair last week that my current prospectus draft is still not ready for the entire committee to read, which means I can’t set a proposal defense date and that we need to change the timeline for completion.

Needless to say I felt incredibly discouraged at the moment. If I’m being completely honest, I just wanted to quit. A part of me felt like it was time to cut my losses and accept that maybe I’m not going to finish this degree. I mean it’s not like I haven’t already been working on career ideas for post-graduation that don’t necessarily involve the traditional academic route, so maybe I can start working on those ideas early. I spent most of Tuesday crying off and on while trying to contemplate my next move, but shortly before dinner time I came to my senses. I decided to give myself the rest of the day to mope and then focus on getting through the week because we had a lot planned.

It’s been almost a week since I received the initial email and I think I’m ready to read the feedback on my draft and get back to work. I’ll be spending today creating a plan for reading and adding the things they want. I’m also hoping to meet with them in the next few weeks, so we can discuss a realistic plan for the coming months.

Any other academics out there? How do you get past your frustrated moments when it comes to your dissertation? Advice and encouraging words are much appreciated. Oh and hopefully the picture below helps someone else like it helped me when it popped up on my Facebook timeline.

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