How did you get through your grad school burn out ?

**MAJOR METAL** · #1 11-24-2009, 02:06 AM

To all those who have had the privilege of going through grad school, how did you pull through your burn out phase ? My academic head is just about shot and I do not have any interest in the slightest in the required course work right now. I am also battling the effects of neptune. Thanks.

dullsilver_mike · #2 11-24-2009, 04:13 AM

I want advice as well. I've been cranking out a measly paragraph to a page a day on my thesis because I'm just too burnt out to sit for more than an hour at a time.

I was planning to continue my education beyond my masters, but there's no way I can do it feeling like this.

dave64o · #3 11-24-2009, 04:32 AM

Honestly, it was brute force. I needed 16 classes to complete my program (the prerequisites in business added up fast!) and it took me five years. I was really feeling it halfway through but there was no way I was going to just give up after getting that far. It was tough but I just willed myself through it and did get my M.S.

Did it pay off in the end? Well, that's a different question.

Rocker949 · #4 11-24-2009, 08:07 AM

Going to the beach and watching science fiction were the only things that helped me. Some kind of diversion was absolutely necessary.

BillyRay · #5 11-24-2009, 09:53 AM

Cocaine.

Seriously, rigid writing schedule with some breaks thrown in for good measure. I also would disconnect the TV and Internet to reduce distractions as much as possible when I would hit a wall.

When it comes to course load, I've always loved classes so they never were a problem for me. The redaction was the hard part (and it still is since I'm not finished but I'm nearing the end of the tunnel).

coreyfyfe · #6 11-24-2009, 10:02 AM

I've always been a light at the end of the tunnel person. This past semester was a rough start, took a while to get into doing the material since it's mostly analytical chem, none of which I'm particularly fond of. I have one semester left, and then my 6 year BS/MS journey will be over. And I'll owe people a lot of money. But it's been a hell of a ride and I'm looking forward to the end, so that's my motivation.

**Eric Perry** · #7 11-24-2009, 10:05 AM

I was lucky I guess in the fact that I had no grad school burnout. I loved the program and every facet of it (except the cost!). Undergrad was a different story. I hated everything about it and it took massive willpower to maintain any degree of dedication, although my grades still suffered because of my complete disinterest.

JJP_1984_LB50 · #8 11-24-2009, 10:09 AM

I used, and am currently using, the "chip away at it" method. I really try to avoid letting stuff stack up at the end of the semester, when it really becomes a headache. Unfortunately, I had qualifying exams this semester, on top of course work, so that system went right out the window...

bwv1013 · #9 11-24-2009, 11:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eric Perry

...and it took massive willpower to maintain any "degree" of dedication...

pun intended?

back on topic, sounds like right now you may have to power through. find a good place to work that is free from distractions, then take full advantage of those distractions after you've achieved your daily quota of progress. that and a healthy dose of coffee.

Anthbass · #10 11-24-2009, 12:04 PM

As others have said, you gotta gut it out: the thesis won't write itself. I empathasize with ya, MM. I have had physical reactions to writing: sitting in front of my computer and opening a document induced near-immediate nausea. For some, grad school is merely an interesting intellectual exercise. For others (myself included), it was (is) alternately the best/worst experience in life thus far. Good luck!

animal52 · #11 11-24-2009, 12:29 PM

Awesome, I love complaining about grad school. After 1 year of full-time grad classes, 4 years of hideous labwork, and a year after graduating I think I'm still really burned out. I too am wondering when my motivation will come back.

On the flip side, I did alot of meditation for a time, and that was great for my overall peace of mind (and my bass playing).

Kelly Coyle · #12 11-24-2009, 12:48 PM

Done is better than good.

**Eric Perry** · #13 11-24-2009, 01:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bwv1013

pun intended?

...

Actually, that one went right over my head. lol!

karrot-x · #14 11-24-2009, 03:00 PM

I'm going through undergrad burn out right now. I just took a take-home exam; we had exactly 24 hours to complete it.

I picked up the exam at 3:27PM Monday, slept at 6AM Tuesday, woke up at 9AM Tuesday, went to work (job) for 1 hour, and then continued the exam until 3:26PM. I spent 19 hours on the exam, it was insanely painful. There were 3 questions, I estimate I got a 40/100 (probably a B with the curve). I still have 3 lab reports and a cs lab due by the end of the week. I'm tired of studying for things and failing miserably.

3 more semesters to go....

Pilgrim · #15 11-24-2009, 03:05 PM

First, my ticket OUT of Texas was completing the Ph.D. I had to do it to take the next career step. Great motivation.

Second, every time I spoke with my dad on the phone (2000 miles away), the FIRST words out of his mouth were "How's that degree coming?"

I tell all my friends who are working on graduate degrees to tell THEIR friends that every time they see them, the first words they want to hear from them are "How's that degree coming?"

Use your friends to build in your own harassment and motivation. You'll constantly be reminded that you need to finish that degree. You've put in too much work NOT to finish it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kelly Coyle

Done is better than good.

Kelly is the smartest person here. Just FINISH. Good is more than enough, perfect doesn't exist and is irrelevant.

drteeth · #16 11-24-2009, 03:07 PM

I have no idea what this would be called in the VS, but I am currently enrolled in a programme after my master's degree to prepare me for the PhD programme. A full year's worth of credits consisting only of doctoral-level statistics and econometrics. Plus a thesis.

I sleep 6 hours on average and work 10-12 hours a day (every day, not counting breaks). I suspect a burn out is due by the end of the semester.

That being said, I have to get back to my paper.

UnsungZeros · #17 11-24-2009, 03:39 PM

It's great to know what I have in store for me. Awesome.

IotaNet · #18 11-24-2009, 03:46 PM

AARRRRRRGH!

I have been toying with the idea of going for my MBA for 15 years and at 48 years old, I certainly don't NEED it at this stage of my career. On the other hand, I feel like if I don't get it, I will always feel like "Coulda, woulda, shoulda."

I'm about THIS close to enrolling in a program next spring but Man, oh, man, oh. man, I'm not looking forward to that grind.

Pilgrim · #19 11-24-2009, 03:59 PM

There are many bits of advice for those who pursue a grad degree. One option many people don't consider is to stay on the job and do it via distance ed, online or through other media. That's the business I'm in and we have students all over the world.

What does make sense is to choose a thesis or dissertation topic that genuinely interests you...because you will dig into it so deeply that you will get sick of it if you aren't really interested in it to start with. Most employed grad students choose a project which relates directly to their work, as that builds in the opportunity to blend work time and thesis time, lessening the burden on them.

Personally, I found that grad school wasn't all that difficult, it just took time and attention...and once you finished your classwork, it was important to get the thesis or dissertation moving forward immediately - to avoid that slump which so many people encounter and which can stretch into years of inaction.

monzamess · #20 11-24-2009, 05:07 PM

If you're talking about a MS, it's probably only 2 years of your life, coursework and maybe a short thesis. Just get through it. If it's a PhD I can't offer any useful advice.

I burned out. I entered a program aiming for my PhD and had a free ride to do it. I blew it. I did get my MS but I got so distracted by anything that wasn't school, that I just couldn't handle it any more. I left to take a full-time job thinking I would come back (and I had a couple of years where I could do that). Never went back.

My career has been decent so far but I've already been in a few positions where, although a PhD wasn't explicitly required to advance, having just the MS had me bumping a glass ceiling. I now have a family and live about 2 hours from the nearest PhD-granting institution, so if I ever pursue that again, it won't be any time soon.

If your career goals require a PhD you might just need to force yourself through it now because it probably won't get any easier. If the work itself doesn't motivate you it will be a long haul and I'd have to question if that's really the way you want to go.