From Panic to Print: My 48-Hour Dissertation Journey

Hey neurons,

This week was the last week of my dissertation writing, and it has been a hectic few weeks. So, I wanted to reflect a little on what went well and give some advice to those who have to submit a big piece of work or project soon. Here are some things I wish I had known or done differently.

Having a Community

Something I noticed in the last few months of writing my dissertation is the importance of community in science. We are as scientists trained to think as independent people. However, I faced many small (and big) hurdles that I would not have known how to solve without the people around me. I noticed a significant drop in my energy levels at the end of my PhD and found it hard to stay on task. Something that helped me a lot was being around people who are equally passionate and enjoy doing the same things as I do. So, if you are in your early days as a (PhD) student, try to gather a community around you. I will help you during times of pressure and achievement.

Future Perspective

Our plans after the PhD were a point that came up often among the students graduating soon. I felt that there were two kinds of students around me - those who had thought about a clear trajectory, and those who had not. Although the stress and pressure of finishing your dissertation may hinder your ability to think about plans, it is crucial. You do not want to find yourself in a situation where you are without employment or security. Of course, if you have the means and desire to take a long break between the PhD and your next career, that would be great! But from personal experience, it is very helpful to have a few possible opportunities lined up afterward. Do not hesitate to discuss this with your professor or colleagues (if you have a good relationship with them), as they can help guide you through the process.

Reflection

I have noticed a tendency among students and researchers to immediately move on to the next thing without considering what they’ve just accomplished and reflecting on what could have gone better. Perhaps you had hoped to submit more papers, read more reviews, or be involved in University committees. A PhD trajectory teaches us much more than work ethic and science—it also teaches us to manage ourselves and our lives. During periods of intense stress and adversity, we sometimes show up as the worst versions of ourselves. However, that can teach us a lot about what we need to improve and which areas we lacking in. In the last few weeks of my thesis writing, I put off almost everything else, but instead of working faster or producing more interesting ideas, I found my thoughts became slow and sluggish. I realized that good ideas don’t always come from thinking for hours. Often, our best or most creative thoughts arise when we’re relaxing, cooking, or taking long walks. Thus, it’s important to reflect on who we were during that journey and who we want to become in the next one.

📚 Something to Read

📕 Book - The Center Cannot Hold: My Journey Through Madness
Currently, I’m reading The Center Cannot Hold by Elyn Saks, a law professor who experienced schizophrenia. The book is very touching and highlights how we can have both absurd thoughts, in her case, psychotic episodes, and still be brilliant in other ways. She sheds light on the terrible conditions that some mental health patients endure, but most of all, she shows what it’s like to live with this condition.

🎧 Something to listen

🎧  Lecture – Psychosis: Making and Inhabiting a Different Reality
If you’re working in psychiatry, computational psychiatry, or neuroscience, I highly recommend this talk by Dr. Paul Fletcher. He highlights some current research on psychosis and explains the mechanisms that give rise to its symptoms. As someone currently working in computational psychiatry, I find psychosis endlessly fascinating because it shows how certain prior information we hold can dominate how we experience the world.

👩‍💻 Weekly Quote

"And, while the line between creativity and madness can be razor thin (a fact that has been unfortunately romanticized), examining and experiencing the world in a different way can lead to sharp and fruitful insights." ― Elyn Saks - The Center Cannot Hold: My Journey Through Madness