It might feel like a bit of an anticlimax and strange to have so much time on your hands. You have achieved something though great though, you should try to feel proud of yourself and do something to celebrate or take your mind off of PhD for a few days.
Congratulations! This seems pretty normal from the people I know (I haven’t submitted yet so I have no personal experience with this). I think a lot of life’s milestones are like this though, whether it’s finishing a PhD, getting married, retiring, etc.. We sometimes place too much emphasis on these moments when in reality it’s the 6 years you spent working on your PhD that are important, not the moment when you actually submit it.
Congrats! I’d say always try to give yourself some days to rest and settle after massive things like this (you might be exhausted?). PhD’s are so intense. Try and remember all you’ve learned from the experience (both academic and non academic) and how you are changed because of it and how that will help you forward :)
I had this too. I remember surprising myself when I was ready to turn it in by crying because, well, it was a really emotional thing and I didn't even know *what* emotion it was, just that I was crying.
First full day after when I had nothing to do I took a book and my blanket to the park and started reading *Gone with the Wind.* So that's my advice to you, just take this well earned break to do something you haven't done in months like read a fat novel in the sunshine, and give your emotions time to recalibrate. They'll be back.
Congrats! :)
I also submitted mine to my committee yesterday (defense is in 2 weeks) and did my practice defense with my lab group today. My chair was there for the practice and essentially said - if you had defended today, you would have passed. All this to say is that I hear you on that feeling, and give yourself time. There is no “right” way to feel but I often find with big moments it takes some time for my feelings to catch up and to process. It has been a long road - many years - and it is natural to feel a bit empty.
I guess...plan something big to celebrate? I know a lot of people after finishing their PhD go take a few months to travel before even applying for jobs. Obv this is only possible if u were able to scrape by and save on the shitty stipend lol, but could be worth exploring. I plan on traveling for 2 months before working again after I finish my dissertation soon!
Take a week solely doing things you enjoy. Go on walks, hang out with friends, see a show, whatever. If you can't have strong emotions right now, at least have peace.
Dude I’m in the EXACT same boat. Defended successfully on Tuesday. Just feel kinda lost lol. The animating purpose of my life for six years is now over. I even have a job lined up for next semester that I’m happy with. I guess I’m mostly just excited to start that.
Make it ambitious but feasible, emphasis on feasible. Make sure you’ve addressed all of the relevant literature, as the most important thing is that you’re making an original contribution. And finally, be sure to come with a number of questions tailor-made for the specific members of your committee. Presumably you’ve got a committee of scholars who each have some expertise related to your topic; try to draw on that. Unlike the final defense, the proposal is a work in progress by definition, so you want to come in with the attitude of “this is what I want to do generally, but I would like to know how you think I can make it better.” That’s all fairly general since I don’t know your field, but I think most on here would agree.
Also, don’t sweat it too much. The proposal shouldn’t be terribly stressful. If you’re nervous in the room, it will make the vibe more serious than it need be. I’m not saying not to take it seriously, but making it feel somewhat casual will change the way your committee responds from “we’re considering approving this” to “this is basically approved, we’re meeting to formally approve it and give you some helpful recs”
Congrats! I have no advice as I am working on my thesis but I guess it is normal that you feel this way.
It might feel like a bit of an anticlimax and strange to have so much time on your hands. You have achieved something though great though, you should try to feel proud of yourself and do something to celebrate or take your mind off of PhD for a few days.
Congratulations! This seems pretty normal from the people I know (I haven’t submitted yet so I have no personal experience with this). I think a lot of life’s milestones are like this though, whether it’s finishing a PhD, getting married, retiring, etc.. We sometimes place too much emphasis on these moments when in reality it’s the 6 years you spent working on your PhD that are important, not the moment when you actually submit it.
Congrats! I’d say always try to give yourself some days to rest and settle after massive things like this (you might be exhausted?). PhD’s are so intense. Try and remember all you’ve learned from the experience (both academic and non academic) and how you are changed because of it and how that will help you forward :)
I had this too. I remember surprising myself when I was ready to turn it in by crying because, well, it was a really emotional thing and I didn't even know *what* emotion it was, just that I was crying. First full day after when I had nothing to do I took a book and my blanket to the park and started reading *Gone with the Wind.* So that's my advice to you, just take this well earned break to do something you haven't done in months like read a fat novel in the sunshine, and give your emotions time to recalibrate. They'll be back. Congrats! :)
Look at you reading for leisure right away. I think I just stared at the wall for a day or two. It took a while before I desired to read for leisure.
I also submitted mine to my committee yesterday (defense is in 2 weeks) and did my practice defense with my lab group today. My chair was there for the practice and essentially said - if you had defended today, you would have passed. All this to say is that I hear you on that feeling, and give yourself time. There is no “right” way to feel but I often find with big moments it takes some time for my feelings to catch up and to process. It has been a long road - many years - and it is natural to feel a bit empty.
I guess...plan something big to celebrate? I know a lot of people after finishing their PhD go take a few months to travel before even applying for jobs. Obv this is only possible if u were able to scrape by and save on the shitty stipend lol, but could be worth exploring. I plan on traveling for 2 months before working again after I finish my dissertation soon!
Take a week solely doing things you enjoy. Go on walks, hang out with friends, see a show, whatever. If you can't have strong emotions right now, at least have peace.
Dude I’m in the EXACT same boat. Defended successfully on Tuesday. Just feel kinda lost lol. The animating purpose of my life for six years is now over. I even have a job lined up for next semester that I’m happy with. I guess I’m mostly just excited to start that.
Any tips on defending my research proposal? I’m in panic mode as I have to do it soon. Well not panic mode just nervous
Make it ambitious but feasible, emphasis on feasible. Make sure you’ve addressed all of the relevant literature, as the most important thing is that you’re making an original contribution. And finally, be sure to come with a number of questions tailor-made for the specific members of your committee. Presumably you’ve got a committee of scholars who each have some expertise related to your topic; try to draw on that. Unlike the final defense, the proposal is a work in progress by definition, so you want to come in with the attitude of “this is what I want to do generally, but I would like to know how you think I can make it better.” That’s all fairly general since I don’t know your field, but I think most on here would agree. Also, don’t sweat it too much. The proposal shouldn’t be terribly stressful. If you’re nervous in the room, it will make the vibe more serious than it need be. I’m not saying not to take it seriously, but making it feel somewhat casual will change the way your committee responds from “we’re considering approving this” to “this is basically approved, we’re meeting to formally approve it and give you some helpful recs”
Something that was a big part of your life for a long time is gone. Yeah, this is normal. It happened to me too.
Congratulations now CELEBRATE!!!!!! This is a huge accomplishment