Kingdom of Knuffel

I honestly don't know what I'm doing; but I feel like there's not really a framework to get help haha.

I'm in what my advisor is adamant is my last year of my PhD program, and like as much as I also want out of grad school, the timetable is insane. I have a 20 page paper due at the end of this week, so that 2 weeks later I can somehow defend it I guess, so that I'm allowed to start research.

But like,,,, I've never been taught how to plan research or do actual experimental research so I'm just kind'a,,,,, losts I guess. And I'm sure every grad student feels this way, but there's just a lot to be overwhelmed by.

I mean in theory, the stuff I'm researching is cool, but I just continue to have to face my own inadequacy/ignorance head on. Like how many ego deaths can one guy go through in a month

I didn't go to university/college but everyone who has always says similar things to you! Don't worry I'm sure you'll be just fine.


I think the experience is pretty common, and aside from the pure overwhelming amount of work, it's great to look forward to what you'll get soon - a PHD! That's amazing! Feel proud of yourself <3

I mostly liked school, but I stopped after I completed my undergrad degree because I knew I didn't do well without structure and deadlines. The idea of writing a dissertation always sounded way too overwhelming.

As an undergrad, I took an elective that was cross-listed in the grad program. The grad students had to write longer papers than the undergrads, but otherwise the course was the same. I really enjoyed the course content, but I nearly failed because the grade was based entirely on writing papers. All of the papers were due at the end of the semester, and they could be on anything we wanted related to the course material. So, of course, I only wrote one prior to the final week of class. It nearly killed me, but I got all the papers written and managed an A- in the class.

I know this thread is a little old and your deadline is in the past, so I hope you did well! Working towards a PhD is awesome!