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[sylvie]

Ok, I have two weeks to finish my dissertation.  It's mostly written except to finish chapter four (data has been analyzed) and write chapter five.  However, everyone is my life is conspiring to keep this from happening and I feel like I'm about to break down.  The man I've been living with for the past ten years has decided to pick constant fights with me, my parents have decided to be especially needy, and my friends are getting annoyed because I keep putting them off.  Obviously I have time to post here, but that's more of an obessive form a time-wasting and procrastination than any kind of real relaxation.

Any tips on how I can shut it all out and FINISH?  I've heard of people checking into hotels.  Should I leave or send my man away?  I'm worried that doing that will stress me even more.  How can I make the people in my life understand what I'm going through? (NONE of them are academics)

I need something and I just can't figure out that is.  Either advice or similar stories will be helpful.  I'm a bit adrift right now...

[abuflletcher]

Bear in mind that it may not be any chances in the people around you, but rather a change in YOU.  That is, your parents just seem more needy because you are under pressure and being under pressure causes you to do and say things that lead your SO to "pick fights."

Two weeks left and still a couple of chapters to write?  Frankly, if I were you I'll look into the possibility of an extension.  Don't underestimate how long it will take to do completely mundane things like checking the citation/references, making a table of contents, and even get it printed out. This stuff can easily eat up a week.

If that is absolutely not possible then you need to knuckle down and figure what sort of daily time commitment is going to be needed to finish.  You may need to be writing 10 hours a day -- or more.  One way or another you're going to have to shut people out for the next two weeks.  Renting a room or office space locally might be an option.  At the very least you need to establish some sort of completely private space where you can be incommunicado for long stretches at a time.

Good luck.  Now get to it!

[t_folk]

Do you have an office at school? If so, turn off your cell phone and go there. Lock yourself up and finish it. If not, take out your credit card and get a hotel room. Eat roomservice and keep the do not disturb sign on the door.

[_hoban_]

I was in a similar situation when I was finishing my dissertation. I had only a few weeks, and everything in my life seemed to be exploding. My usually healthy as can be father was rushed to the hospital numerous times for a very serious problem, my landlord finally decided to do the (major) construction in my apartment that he had been putting off since fall, my friends were all having major crises.
A hotel room would have been a good idea, wish I had thought of that and could have afforded it.
My only advice is, if you really *have* to finish up within this deadline (I had to, my major professor was leaving for good) is to just tell everyone in your life that everything you have been working for this number of years comes down to this, and to just leave you alone. Of course, I couldn't use this line for my family, but it worked well for friends. And I learned how to block out the constant hammering/plaster dust in my apartment (getting anything done in my "office" at school was out of the question). I would dedicate large blocks of time (usually at night when it was quiet) and shut myself in a room with my laptop and write. Not answering the phone, not checking email (unless I was waiting for something from my advisor), not even allowing my cat in. I basically became a recluse/shut in for 8-12 hour spans of time (I was allowed out for snacks and bathroom). I don't know how that could be managed with someone living in the house with me (ah another joy of being single), but working while your partner is sleeping/at work would be my best guess.

Basically, I would suggest telling everyone to bug off. I would also be wondering why your friends and family are acting like this now; it could be that they know things are going to change after you pass this milestone and are nervous about it? But really, I would wonder about that later or maybe address the issue as a way to introduce the "I will be ignoring you for a few weeks" plan.

After I handed in my final draft to my committee, I apologized to my friends and anyone else I had alienated during the past few weeks. Everyone forgave me, and there have been no carry-over repercussions of my less than friendly behavior during those final weeks. It's easy to see conspiracy theories when you are freaked out at the end of a major project, but I think being in this sort of situation is more common than we would think. I think I was just looking to have something to blame if I didn't meet the deadline.

Good luck! (I did manage to complete and defend by my deadline, and my dad is recovering nicely. I also ended up with a pinched nerve in my back from all that sitting. But it was worth it to be finished.)

[sylvie]

Thanks for the advice!  Actually, I don't have to write two whole chapters.  I just have to FINISH chapter four (which is more than half done) and write chapter five, which is essentially a summary.  Also, this is for early feedback.  My official copies aren't due until July 17 and I defend July 31.

And abufletcher, you're right.  I don't think I'm very pleasant to be around right now.  I guess I'm just concerned with having the people around me understand why that is.

[sylvie]

I was in a similar situation when I was finishing my dissertation. I had only a few weeks, and everything in my life seemed to be exploding.

Thanks hoban_washburn.  It's nice to know others have been through the same thing.  Ok, I can breathe now.

Back to writing...

[john_proctor]

K.  Back to the thread.

OP, try this:

When I hit a hard deadline and I'm able (during breaks, etc.), I "switch clocks."  I reverse sleep cycles and stay up all night and sleep during the day. 

It takes one 30 hour or so stretch.  It's best if you have an absolutely lightless room (cover cardboard with tin foil and put it up, shiny side out, over the windows).  Tell the family and friends what's up.  Turn off the phone when you sleep.

You'll see family/friends for an hour or so before you go to bed and when you "wake up" (share dinner/breakfast).

Phones don't ring.  Cars don't make noise. Neighbor's TV is quiet.  Family and friends don't chat.  Nothing on TV (and no temptation to do housework).

Warning: be aware that the first day or two will be reduced productivity.  Not worth doing unless you've got more than a week.

I'm absolutely serious about this.  It's how I wrote chapters two, seven and the conclusion.

Also think about that extention if it's possible.  I spent nearly a month doing "clean up" work with citations, bibs, formats, etc. (I was also teaching at the time, too, though).

[iomhaigh]

Hey Sylvie,

I'd echo the hotel suggestion and be selective about who you tell about your hidden location.  Put the phone on mute, unplug the TV, and write well!  In the meantime, I'll be sending you cosmic waves of eloquence and good karma as I do much the same thing here (albeit in my apartment and with a daily trek into the classroom).

Get thee off the boards - to both of us!

Best, my comrade in cram-writing.

[econ_anon]

My partner and his laptop have been spending their time hiding out in various library carrels and tea/coffee/chocolate/bread shops without internet access.   He disappears in the morning and shows up again at night to eat and do some packing.

He also got a bunch done hiding out at the hotel lounge when I was at a conference, so skipping town might also be an option.

Good luck!

[adhoc]

Thanks for the advice!  Actually, I don't have to write two whole chapters.  I just have to FINISH chapter four (which is more than half done) and write chapter five, which is essentially a summary.  Also, this is for early feedback.  My official copies aren't due until July 17 and I defend July 31.

And abufletcher, you're right.  I don't think I'm very pleasant to be around right now.  I guess I'm just concerned with having the people around me understand why that is.

I think you'll be OK.  I have no idea what "finishing" chapter 4 involves, but the summary chapter should come fairly easily -- maybe even a day or less -- because you have been thinking about this work for probably years.  You have already "written" parts of it in your conversations with your adviser when s/he asked about your progress and new results and so forth.

Beyond that, if you defend on the 31st, your truly "official" version -- that is the one which will be filed with whatever dissertation archiving service your school uses -- will not be due until after that. Maybe only a week or so after that, depending on how close you're cutting it but, still you have most of a month and a half to finish.

So, good luck!  And, hey come back in August and let us know that you're Dr. Sylvie.

[francie_]

Sylvie, I feel your pain and frustration.  I was in your position last spring and summer. 

My advice: don't sweat the small stuff at this point.  Keep in mind that the draft you are handing in will be revised, perhaps several times.  If each chapter is fairly well-organized and reads logically, you've accomplished a lot already.  Your summary remarks will no doubt change to in response to your committee's comments.  You will know where the "holes" in the discussion are, but they may not be as important as you think for the purpose of defending. 

Good luck!

[grasshopper]

My official copies aren't due until July 17 and I defend July 31.

You only submit your dissertation two weeks before defending? And you're going to hand in a draft for critique at the end of this month, get it back, and make the necessary changes before the 17th? That sounds speedy!!  Man, I wish I had your speed. Your department also sounds like it's really gearing things up for you to finish quickly.

I have no suggestions beyond telling family and friends what your situation is and asking for their consideration. Other than that, all I've got are wishes of good luck, and some slack-jawed wonder at how fast you're able to push this through.

[dr_crankypants]

You could also put an auto reply on your e-mail that you will have limited access to e-mail until X date (July 17).  You could also change your answering machine message to something similar. 

I also second the advice about disappearing as much as possible.  The danger is when you're sending mixed signals to people: saying that you don't have time, but the being seen taking a coke break or something.  Obviously, you know that you just need a 5-minute break, but it's harder for other people to recognize the boundaries that you've set if they can see you.  :)

[merce]

Oh dear, I am in the same boat: about 3 weeks or so left to turn a mess of ideas and bits and pieces into a diss.

I told my family and friends that I appreciate them but that I needed not to talk to anyone about anything at all. I could, however, listen to messages or read emails of the cheerleader variety. I do not want to go out for drinks for the next months. I will not go to the movies. I will not be available for anything and I will, however, be extremely needy.

I just put it all out there and then do not at all feel guilty about the random trips to the mall that I've been taking alone. I don't care if anyone were to see me and think I'm dissing them to go shopping-- me who has had three pairs of shoes for the last 5 years or so bought 6 pair in the last two weeks. I don't care. I'm willing to do whatever it takes. And yes, that means large debt.

This is a super important time in my life and I'm not going to worry about cleanliness, cooking, stupid petty arguments. I am eating out or eating cereal only. It won't get done unless I do nothing but write and everyone needs to get it or get dissed. So far, everyone has been super helpful. Friends don't mind not seeing me at all and even call to wake me up and make sure I'm working.

Express the significance to everyone and take them seriously yourself and I think you'll feel better and more disciplined/serious yourself.

[francie_]

Ah yes, merce's post brings to mind more repressed memories of last summer!  Every hour became precious as I was working frantically to meet the August degree deadline.  I remember growling to my husband that I WOULD NOT risk missing my deadline by a few hours because of "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory," which my kids had been teasing to see in the theater when it opened.  He went with them instead.  The kids were pretty understanding overall, I have to say.  They now reminisce about all the places that Dad took them while Mom was finishing her dissertation.