Hope everyone had a fab Christmas! I'm hoping someone can identify with me. After 4 or 5 days of relaxation, drinking, and catching up with friends etc, I have finally given in and printed off some work to be doing. I was determined to do no work this holiday because I start writing up in the new year and I wanted a proper break, but I can't seem to tear myself away from doing something academic if I'm at a loss for other things to do. Is it just me? Can anyone else identify with this or has the PhD process turned me into some sort of recluse/hermit/academia-obsessed person? I still see my mates and have a life and all that but I can't seem to go for more than a week without a piece of academic life to feed upon. I am beginning to fear the worst- that I am turning into my supervisor. Help, anyone? Best, KB

i think you need to be able to tear yourself away, so - to be quite honest - this is a bit worrying. But then you have thrown yourself into it very deeply, so dragging yourself away could be hard. It's a bit like going cold turkey, and it could be quite a shock to your system.

Is there anything non-PhD-y you'd really like to do? For example is there a book (non-academic!) you've been aching to read for ages? Or somewhere you'd like to go for a day trip? What about a computer or console game to get and play?

Personally I never had any trouble having a total break at Christmas during my PhD, but I was always so shattered by then I'd usually collapse and struggle to wake before 5pm on Christmas Day! But I would recommend you have a good break if you can. They're rare at other times.

Though picking up one bit of work to look at isn't too bad. Just don't let it take over!

Hey Bilbo! Thanks for your reply! I do actually do a lot of other things as well- I don't feel like I'm compromising on other things like reading non-academic books, seeing my friends and family, having fun, working out etc. It's just that when I stop doing those things I can't help myself from going back to my work! I try to fill my days up with things so I don't end up working but as soon as I get a little break I'm back to it! I think it's quite a hard time to just stop- sometimes the holiday happens at exactly the right time at a natural break. But this time it hasn't- I'm in the middle of a million and one things that I really want to get finished so it's hard to let go. I guess that's the kind of person I am to some extent but if I want to remain sane then maybe I do need to try the cold turkey thing :( Cheers, KB

Hi Keenbean, I just read your post and since I am studying right now I was very happy to know someone else is grappling with this problem too. I started just jotting down thoughts 'to follow up after the break' but its starting to take over my day as I started reading and then noting. Maybe the answer is to just do a couple of hours work maximum to keep the brain charged up and then go shopping/ to the movies etc to keep away from study. I'm sure we'll work better later if we have a break now, but it is very hard to do that if there is spare time, no distractions and plenty of work to be done! But I'm going to do one more hour and then stop for the day and hope you can too. Cheers

Hi KB, Merry Christmas. I'm having the opposite problem! I haven't touched my PhD for months due to teaching obligations. I'm hoping to get some PhD work done after New Year - and I will if I can get all my marking done before NY eve, but I'm for too happy watching telly, eating chocs and drinking wine and whisky and ginger at present to rouse myself for the forseeable future. I guess I'll have to get started by at least Tuesday to get the marking I have at home finished in time, and even then I'll need to work very intensively - more than 15 essays per day. But it will be done, I am determined, then I can break again next weekend and begin PhD research properly.

Not sure if your situation is ok or not, but I do know I always benefit greatly from a complete break - I guess if you're not feeling the need for a break then you'll be ok. Just do what feels right for you I suppose.

Hi Keenbean, I'm not doing the doctorate yet but have realised these last two months, that I cannot 'not' do anything unless I am really tired or I've structured in a 'nothing' session. Sort of like 'i'm going to sit and have a coffee in the garden and reflect for 20 minutes or so'. And while I like being with people and keeping company, there is only so much of that one can do before one needs some form of space. So, I think most people do things...or they watch Tv on the couch...most people structure their time with activities of sorts-even if these activities are a conversation with family or friends, or cleaning out the pantry, or painting the back door...it is something.

Who is to say what is the right sort of something. Lot's of people at my workplace and my family have told me to stop doing so many things that involve study in particular or work ( I actually work hard but not as hard as people think). And I've followed their advice and sat for a while, reflected, journalled, learned to run, bought some more music, watched some more movies and comedy...socialised with friends, got back into cooking,read some more, spent quality time with family but there is still time even after doing all of these things...so what is wrong with using that time to develop an idea or further some research instead of sitting on the couch and watching some boring television-or doing more in the garden-the garden is okay.

Do what is right for you Keenbean, and if you use this time to intellectualise or follow up some ideas but you have given yourself time to rest or relax and your family and friends have had time and you have had fun, then what is the problem. But if you really want to not do any work until after the 2nd or something, then you will actually need to replace your thesis with another activity. Just sitting there doing nothing will not avail. Have a great New Year.

HI KB...this has come at a really good time. I came back home for Christmas and everyone has told me that I should take a whole 2 weeks off. However, like you I seem to be going back to working on my PhD. I still meet friends, go out and have a good time. But I cannot get myself to just relax and do nothing. I generally do some work in the mornings for a couple of hours or so when I am home, and my friends and boyfriend are at work, then do nothing all evening. I also agree with plju...it seems that people think I work harder than I actually think I do. So just to tell you I totally identify with you, and I am still at the start of my PhD :)

Holidays are the time I do most of my work on this, so this one is no different really. I've had a couple of days off, but now the main dining table has got books on it again... and I will be doing some work. In this house it has never been unusual to find people curled up with a book on Christmas day, it doesn't mean you are not enjoying yourself, or the company, people have fun in different ways. We did the meal at lunchtime on the big dining table, and we got out the board games, and the puzzles - this year one of us received a puzzle ball, they are very good if you know someone who likes puzzles - and we have a more mundane puzzle on the go now, so Christmas is still going on. Oh, and we didn't go to the sales at 5am yesterday, did we miss out? :$

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Yep, I'm working during the holidays as well. The goal is to get them marked by New Year's Eve and then back to PhD.

When I'm stressed with deadlines I find I day dream about a time when I won't have anything academic to do and then when I do get a bit of down time I find that I day dream about PhD etc!

A

Hi again, I think am coming round to work now - when lying in bed this morning I thought my ideal thing to do today wuld be to go to a conference on my subject, at which I am not giving a paper... and I got dressed! Am going out to sortmy broken mobile and then who knows maybe tonight I will get some marking done.

hi keenbean
there are so many of us in the same situation :-)
don't be sad about it; instead use it to your advantage; when you are working on that piece of academic stuff, make it the best one; and then let it go and spend time with your boyfriend, friends, family, just remember every time you work on a paper that you also need to do something else :-)

I've gone back to work (or at least trying to);
no choice because I am behind my writing schedule
but two whole days of christmas were good enough for me

have a wonderful day
love satchi (robin)

Hi KB!

I 've been a few months in my PhD and I am a bit scared of myself. I experience everything you describe and worse...
I only want to do my research and my motivation to do things outside my PhD is almost zero, however, I "force" myself to socialise, go for a walk in weekends etc.
At night I have real trouble falling asleep as my mind doesn't shut down...I spent the last days of the holidays with friends, doing nothing but eating and chatting, followed by the few nights I slept so well in months! I told about that to my (clearly uninterested) super, and he told me that it is only going to get worse as I will gradually run out of topics to talk with people, I will have less and less invitations for parties... I AM turning like him! HELP!

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Hi KB, I too am becoming sad! I marked some essays today - 15 - could have done more but took along break to do some shopping and watch Wallace and Gromit. And I am really loving it - seeing how well they've done and giving useful feedback, much prefer it to watching telly, sales shopping or the family party I've declined this eve. Oh dear, I don't think even my sup is this bad - he takes full family holidays etc. Does this mean I too am sad?

Haha, well I'm glad I'm not completely on my own! Fortunately have been really busy the last few days so no time for work :) It will all be there waiting for me next month! KB

having nothing to do is most attractive when you are doing too much!!!! I think its hard to switch off from being working full bore to nothing.....and still aware of the ever present deadlines and work...but that said, breaks are so important! Not only do they help with work productivity when you return to work, but hey--life is not ALL about work. Fun is in there somewhere (whatever someone thinks is fun!)!

I have enjoyed several days of break, being a sloth, being in pajamas until late in the day...but it took a few days to unwind and not feel like I needed to sail out of bed and start working on something!

As well, how much of a break is optimal? Four or five days might be just enough to re-charge batteries....I think everyone is different and there is nothing wrong with doing a bit of work if you feel like it. Research can be very enjoyable, in its way, and the holiday break might give a unique opportunity to work on things without the usual daily distractions that go on outside the holiday break!