Hi guys,

Hopefully there are other people who feel like this too. It's not just that there aren't enough hours in the week to get stuff done, it's that I can't even seem to use the time I have.

If I added up the time I'd spent working (minus, of course, the time I spend daydreaming and messing about) at the end of the week, I doubt it would even be as much as someone who does their PhD part-time. And I try, I really do. But it's so rare that I can actually sit and focus on anything. Even lab work doesn't happen sometimes because, for instance, I'll find that a participant doesn't show up, or someone else has booked what I need, and instead of re-allocating the time to something else productive, I just waste it.

I'm sure some of the time I count as messing about does involve some mulling-over (subconsciously or otherwise!) of concepts/analyses etc, but really...

Does anyone have advice or just similar feeling?

Hey,

I am sure that you actually do far more work than you give yourself credit for. Think of all the time you spend lying in bed thinking about the work - other people clock out at 5 and that is that but we work constantly. Don't underestimate the value of brain work, if you don't think about your work how will you ever draw conclusions or connections? As for wasting time, I'd suggest having a wee list of simple things that you can do like maybe there is an article you want to read (having on or two handy on your desktop or phone or tablet means that when you are sitting thinking you ought to work you can get there in a couple of clicks) or a paper you could proof read or even something so simple are organising your computer files. These stupid little things can make you feel that you have achieved something in a day, even if it was only renaming all your pdfs, so at the end of the day you can remind yourself you have done something that has contributed in some very small way to your thesis. If you really really aren't in the mood for proper work see if there are any documentaries vaguely related to your field that you could watch - you get an hour of tv time and some tangentially useful knowledge so the day isn't a complete bust in terms of work.

I hope this helps you

Chin up

Yes try to have a list of small things to do when you find you can't do the big things you planned, then tick these off as you go and you should find you feel like you have achieved something.