'Dealing with the stress/anxiety and politics of your #PhD programme'

#phdchat tweet log - 31st October 2012

@NSRiazat - Welcome to #phdchat is 'dealing with the stress/anxiety and politics of your #PhD programme.

@JaneDavis13 - @NSRiazat hi Nasima, hi everyone #phdchat

@Lemness - @nsriazat would you mind just giving us a little more please? stress/anxiety that we bring or the stress that the program brings. #phdchat

@strictlykaren - @mayannlimsy is that #acwrimo? I signed up and hope to draft up discussion chapter #phdchat

@Lemness - @janedavis13 hello there #phdchat

@qui_oui - The whole idea of academic writing month makes me feel stressed. #phdchat

@ai1sa - thats a biggie. so many sources of stress when phding. so many different ways needed for the different stressors. #phdchat

@NSRiazat - @Lemness - strategies for dealing with stress and anxiety from self and programme. #phdchat

@JaneDavis13 - @qui_oui agree - targets have to be your own #phdchat

@ai1sa - most effective for me was taking things back to principle supervisor #phdchat eg when i ran out of ideas, when worried about voice, #phdchat

@JaneDavis13 - @NSRiazat @Lemness throwing words at the page ... Best advice from @debprescott .. Gets it done, worry about quality later #phdchat

@Lemness - @nsriazat key for me is to recognize the stress that I control. It helps to just stress about what I can have an impact on - #phdchat.

@ai1sa - @JaneDavis13 perfect is the opposite of done. putting on my ordinary was best advice i got from a colleague #phdchat

@Lemness - @JaneDavis13 doing well. haven't been to #phdchat in a bit. how are you? are you done writing?

@AshJones26 - #phdchat mind mapping the topic I am struggling with helps, often find a route around the problem or the solution itself

@qui_oui - I know many have seen it, but it's appropriate for today's #PhDchat--my post on PhDs/depression http://t.co/kpkXwg9C

@ai1sa - @AshJones26 i agree. When a chapter wasnt working, or ideas were tangential the mindmap reigned it back in #phdchat

@JaneDavis13 - @Lemness done a draft of each chapter now - just sent last to supervisor. Need to review and amend all and put together. Scary! #phdchat

@Lemness - @JaneDavis13 @NSRiazat @debprescott yes, that' so good. we try to edit and write at the same time. separate the activities. #phdchat

@JaneDavis13 - Yes RT @AshJones26: #phdchat mind mapping the topic I am struggling with helps, often find a route around the problem or the solution itself

@Lemness - @JaneDavis13 amazing. so close. now it's figuring out which hoops to jump through to finsih. #phdchat. knowing the hoops helps w stress

@kesloane - Hi, all! Rare Weds off! #phdchat

@JaneDavis13 - @Lemness I need to get my final submission in by 1st week of Jan at latest. Dates focus the mind! #phdchat

@srossmktg - Is #phdchat now or did the UK timeshift change it all? #phdchat

@ai1sa - found writeordie wordcount useful as it told me i had achieved something. even on re editing counting the words rewritten #phdchat

@kesloane - Great topic! I'm on the verge of burn out. The way one feels when it is time start looking for a new job. #phdchat

@qui_oui - @JaneDavis13 http://t.co/P8Kat0Kq should be correct. Hard for me to test right now because I can't get pages to load quickly #PhDchat

@JaneDavis13 - @srossmktg it's now :-) #phdchat

@qui_oui - Hope this is now the correct link (article on PhDs & attrition), sorry about that, http://t.co/P8Kat0Kq #phdchat

@srossmktg - @JaneDavis13 Oh cool! I thought I missed it. #phdchat

@Lemness - @janedavis13 congratulations. that's amazing. what will you do with all this time? #phdchat #thewritingdoesntend

@Lemness - @kesloane that's because you're freezing your butt off. #phdchat #timeforanewlocation

@kesloane - @JaneDavis13 @Lemness Congrats, Jane! #phdchat

@JaneDavis13 - @Lemness Jan/Feb will be viva prep, then corrections/amends maybe, then a holiday ..woohoo and my family will have me back :-) #phdchat

@JaneDavis13 - @kesloane thanks ... I haven't finished though! Still a long way to go! #phdchat

@Lemness - @janedavis13 what hoops are you anticipating in the next few months? I wish I had all the info up front. They kept giving me pieces #phdchat

@Janshs - @srossmktg it's now but I've missed the start (again) so not sure of topic #phdchat

@AshJones26 - @Janshs @srossmktg strategies for dealing with stress and anxiety from self and programme. #phdchat

@srossmktg - @Janshs Not quite sure either. #phdchat

@qui_oui - #PhDchat -- what are the main causes of stress during the PhD (or what have they been for you)?

@JaneDavis13 - @Lemness I'll be spending the next 4 days editing and formatting. Back at work next week do need to max out this week #phdchat

@adamgolub - (correct link now) MT @qui_oui I know many have seen it, but it's appropriate for today's #PhDchat--on PhDs/depression http://t.co/7icc68Kh

@JaneDavis13 - @Lemness not sure about hoops until supervisor has seen and critiqued my full draft. Then amends and submit for externals #phdchat

@Janshs - #phdchat I guess the 'right' sort of stress is good but it's important to time plan for hobbies if you possibly can

@Lemness - @JaneDavis13 that was my biggest stress. I am sure your supervisor will be nice to you. #phdchat

@DrJessicaLanger - @qui_oui Main cause of stress during the PhD process? The job market. Nothing else, really. (And that turned out fine!) #PhDchat

@JaneDavis13 - @Lemness I need to rely on her to pick up issues that would otherwise come through in the viva #phdchat

@Lemness - @qui_oui not keeping good notes. it would take me hours to get back to where i was when i stopped. make sense? #phdchat

@eszter_cs - @DrJessicaLanger @qui_oui I agree (it's the job market), but from the point of view of someone on the wrong side of submission ... #phdchat

@JaneDavis13 - Main cause of stress has been juggling demands of work, only studying weekends and Hols plus family too. Taking leave has helped #phdchat

@srossmktg - Stress? PhD? How about a baby due in 5 days? #phdchat

@JaneDavis13 - @Janshs #laughingwryly #phdchat

@JaneDavis13 - @srossmktg done that x3 LOL! #phdchat

@kesloane - @srossmktg Counting down! #phdchat

@neuropsyched - "Yeah, but I'm only carefree because @Stanford crushed me at the outset." #phdchat

@kesloane - @srossmktg Did you meet all of your "before due-date" goals? #phdchat

@Lemness - @AshJones26 @qui_oui "feeling behind" is that pressure that you put on yourself or is that from the program? #phdchat

@srossmktg - @kesloane Haha, everytime I keep meeting a "goal", it's like I can't NOT do something, so I start something "new" hoping to finish. #phdchat

@srossmktg - @JaneDavis13 x3 during the PhD? :P #phdchat

@qui_oui - yep. RT @Lemness: not keeping good notes. it would take me hours to get back to where i was when i stopped. make sense? #phdchat

@kesloane - @neuropsyched I'm deliberately detached from my department - got burned first semester. #phdchat

@JaneDavis13 - @srossmktg no ... Though I sat 2 MA exams at 7 months - thought you had completed ur PhD? #phdchat

@AinsleyElbra - Main cause of phd stress? Has to be juggling lots of teaching/grading (=$) with an appropriate amount of research #phdchat

@lizith - #phdchat just back from a seminar on campus - have I missed much?

@srossmktg - @JaneDavis13 Not yet. I anticipate defending (er, vita to you UKers) in Feb. #phdchat

@JaneDavis13 - @srossmktg aha ... But you have submitted the document? #phdchat

@srossmktg - @JaneDavis13 No, we only need about a month lead time before defense. So my target for sending doc to cmte is end of winter break. #phdchat

@kesloane - @srossmktg Some of the most productive years of my life = daughter age 0-5. :) #phdchat

@srossmktg - @JaneDavis13 I've got data collected, analyzed, and written. The rest is re-positioning the background and the contributions. #phdchat

@JaneDavis13 - @srossmktg good luck then! #phdchat

@srossmktg - @kesloane I thought I'd be writing off November, but I also hear they just sleep a lot. And since I'm not feeding... #phdchat

@JaneDavis13 - @srossmktg sounding good :-) #phdchat

@srossmktg - @JaneDavis13 Thanks! It's tough having this phd pressure, the baby, and also being on the job market. #phdchat

@shaileshak - Expecting some stress during PhD and accepting it can sometimes help in dealing with it effectively. #phdchat

@shaileshak - Skimming through #phdchat will show how others are facing and dealing with similar issues and stress.

@Mairenibheith - a certain level of stress is NB 2 motivate self 4 fulltime phd, but job market & pressure 2 publish whilst phding adds extra stress #phdchat

@public_uni - @qui_oui Main cause of stress? RSI! #phdchat

@redinoztweets - @srossmktg certainly helps you focus at times. And be up for #phdchat even when its 4.30am in Oz. So happy about daylight saving right now.

@JaneDavis13 - @Mairenibheith would have loved the chance to study full-time. Working FT and doing PhD is quite tough #phdchat

@thesiswhisperer - Will try to sneak in another hour of #acwrimo somewhere. Oh and live Australian #phdchat will have to be next week - flying home tonight

@Lemness - @shaileshak sometimes we just have to cut things out of our lives when doing a phd. hopefully we cut the right things out. #phdchat

@JaneDavis13 - @justdahneetsa that's great! Looking forward to your updates! #phdchat

@redinoztweets - @thesiswhisperer Good start when most of the world are still yesterday #acrwrimo, I am rejigging thesis and following #PhDChat. 1hr tonight.

@Janshs - @JaneDavis13 yes you musthave some time off! :)) #phdchat

@redinoztweets - Just knowing that others are in the same situation helps relieve stress #PhDchat

@kesloane - @redinoztweets @srossmktg I don't think Spencer has the luxury of much time off - he's on the job market. #phdlifebalance #phdchat

@Comprof1 - @redinoztweets @srossmktg Is Europe on Winter time now? I wondered why no one was on at 2:30 EST US. #phdchat

@Comprof1 - @public_uni @qui_oui What is RSI? #phdchat

@JaneDavis13 - @Janshs not until that first full draft is safely with my supervisor, then a little breathing space ...#phdchat

@shaileshak - @Lemness Yes, at times I cut sleep, fun, etc. although now I know that they are the wrong ones to cut during your PhD #phdchat

@Comprof1 - @srossmktg @JaneDavis13 Try to give yourself some extra time. If you can send it early to cmte, good idea. Give them due date. #phdchat

@srossmktg - @kesloane Oh the job market... if only it would settle down, I'd have 2 of 3 things back in my control. @redinoztweets #phdchat

@Comprof1 - @Lemness @shaileshak I always rewarded myself at the milestones. Then makes it easier to cut out when needed. #phdchat

@Novemberbeetle - My #AcWriMo declaration! Aiming for 11,500 words & law and order ;) http://t.co/z8aYHU22 @PhD2Published #phdchat

@srossmktg - @Comprof1 Goal is to finish w advisor by end of winter break (1/21), send to cmte + notify grad school of 2/14 defnse. @JaneDavis13 #phdchat

@Comprof1 - @srossmktg @kesloane @redinoztweets Transitioning into job can be added stress, esp. if you need to move #phdchat

@shaileshak - @Comprof1 RSI = Repetitive Strain Injury. E.g. from continuous typing etc. http://t.co/vBUNHEGB #phdchat

@Comprof1 - Final sugg towards end. When things get tough b/c commtee/supr "politics" distance urself from thesis U can write what u want later #phdchat

@Janshs - @JaneDavis13 a long breather I'd say #phdchat till viva prep anyway :))

@Comprof1 - @shaileshak Oh, carpal tunnel. I had eye problems so couldn't look at screen/texts at times. Have you tried dragon? #phdchat

@shaileshak - @Comprof1 @Lemness True. I am looking forward to reaching a small milestone #phdchat

@JaneDavis13 - @Janshs depends on her feedback. May need to do some amends before final submission ... Ooo ..er! #phdchat

@redinoztweets - @Comprof1 @srossmktg yep they changed last weekend. Oz changes the other way a couple of weeks earlier so #phdchat now 6.30am not 4.30am.

@Janshs - @JaneDavis13 have you read Trafford and Leshem The End is Where Ypu Begin ??? I think that's title #PhDChat

@redinoztweets - @shaileshak @Lemness not on an ongoing basis, but sometimes can help to hit milestones and relieve pressure in the longer term #PhDchat.

@JaneDavis13 - @Janshs er .. No. Is it humerous? #tongueincheek #phdchat

@shaileshak - @Comprof1 I haven't got RSI yet as am at early stage of my study. I like dragon; need to teach it my accent though :) #phdchat

@Janshs - @JaneDavis13 :)) no but I'd say worth a read between submit and viva #PhDChat

@JaneDavis13 - @Janshs ok. Will check it out... Thanks! #phdchat

@Comprof1 - @redinoztweets @srossmktg I think we change this weekend (they changed about 2 yrs ago, used to be last weekend in Oct). #phdchat

@shaileshak - @redinoztweets @Lemness Yup, agree. Had to do exactly that at times #PhDchat

@Comprof1 - @shaileshak I have a friend who has permenant S to her spine because of phd (too much time on computer). Slipped a disk. #phdchat

@hashonomy_gus - mulling it over a thinking tool for reflecting on a research ex... http://t.co/9K1oxSXe #phdchat #ecrchat #acwri (via @ThomsonPat)

@hashonomy_gus - Ghosts and Goblins of Grad School | Inside Higher Ed http://t.co/9LeK8Qzn #gradhacker #phdchat #gradschool (via @GradHacker)

@JaneDavis13 - @Janshs http://t.co/tiUMU9eS is this the one? #phdchat

@shaileshak - @Janshs @JaneDavis13 you might have meant this - Stepping Stones to Achieving your Doctorate http://t.co/pr4AJKYJ #PhDChat

@Janshs - @shaileshak @janedavis13 it was a paper but the nook looks good! #phdchat

@MissBioGeek - Just written my first blog post for @fastbleep on the obstacles within the scientific publication process http://t.co/RXyPKgOi #phdchat

@mauracunningham - Harvard will contribute some Special Collections materials to Digital Public Library of America: http://t.co/xeivkV0l #PhDchat

@andrenarchy - So, die in den letzten Monaten gebastelte eigenvalue bound habe ich heute mal fix in #python gecoded... und es funzt! :) #math #phdchat

@lizith - @JaneDavis13 I bought it on @janshs recommendation yesterday - it is very good! (I love Kindle downloads!) #phdchat

@_zoonotica_ - 2 days in2 GRADschool.Learnt lots.Def recommend #phdchat MT @vitaenwhub:couple of places available on the Nov course http://t.co/Q0jy6rKq

@kyliebudge - I'm drowning in wonderful quotes from participants. Hard to quarantine for writing. Want to include so many #acwrimo #phdchat

@kyliesoanes - Dear thesis, I'm going on holiday for a few weeks. Please behave while I'm away. Regards, Kylie. #phdchat