Hello everyone.

I am a failed PhD student. Many years passed since my failure due to health problems. I am fine now and I want to apply again.

Is anyone willing to create with me a support and motivation group for failed PhD students who are not giving up?

I trust there are many out there like me who feel lost. Let's get back on track together! We can do it!

I look forward to hearing from you and supporting each other's work.

Simonetta

Calling ourselves "failed" PhD students does not look motivating. I am a former PhD student who have not completed a PhD. I am happy to join your support group but not necessarily with the goal to pursue a PhD again.

Hi! I agree. Failed is the wrong word. It is probably due to the fact that I still cannot see that part of my experience in a constructive way. If I may ask, what are you academically pursuing?

My field of work is engineering.

So, you would be interested in pursuing research, writing papers, etc.? I am just trying to understand how we can set up our motivation and support group. My academic discipline is Film Studies.

Dogged determination and persistence is a great attitude to have. I agree, not using negative labels would be a better way forward.

When I was a PhD student, one of the post-docs, a Belarusian statistician was telling me of his 10 year ordeal through 4 different attempts to start and progress a PhD. It involved Europe, Australia, Nova Scotia in Canada, financial constraints etc...Apart from amusement at all his travel (which he was recounting in detail in a thick Belarusian accent), I was really impressed at his determination and that he completed it. He is talented in his field, I read many of his papers, and it was clear that it wasn't his fault but life circumstances that got in the way.

So, good luck and I wish you all the best.

I have got a job outside academia in the same field. I want to publish papers but I have no immediate plans. I might write a book even or I might do nothing also.
In fact I do not know if I should go further in research or concentrate on my work.

I feel like you are at a crossroad. What do you think would be helpful to you?

For example, to me, it would be helpful being able to make a schedule and stick to it. Organising my work and time is very difficult for me. So learning from other people's experience would be ideal. But also, like having a checking time with the group to make sure that things are moving along well.

I think also time management is crucial. What do we do in the 16-17 hours everyday?
It also depends on targets. What would you like to achieve professionally and personally in 1 year, 5 years and 10 years? I think setting goals is important.