bahagian akhir
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Note # 9 The last part is the most difficult part.
Writing thesis is the most challenging part of the PhD ! I didn’t realize this at first and had allocated only 3 months after I finish my labwork for my thesis writing. My sv said – you’ll need 6 months . It finally took me 9 months ! So my advice to all students , do give plenty of time for thesis writing. I tell you why it’s hard - It’s very boring, it’s very time consuming and it’s very frustrating but it can be done! I have divided my notes about thesis writing into 2 ; (1) the thesis itself (2) the writing process.
1. The thesis itself
a) Think about what is it that we want to tell people with the thesis ..what is great about it? It
has to be one whole story
b) Everything needs to be linked – intro, objectives, lit review, discussion will answer the Q’s
asked in the introduction.
c) Have a frame of the thesis early (latest a year prior to submission) and discuss with the sv
about it to make sure that we’ve got enough data to write about.
d) Understand that the thesis or any type of writing requires a certain structure. For example;
one paragraph tells one story and the story needs intro, points and conclusion. Attend
seminars or read books on how to improve on the thesis structure.
e) Apart from content, we need to make sure that our thesis is readable. To achieve this, we
have to make sure each sentence is connected to the sentence before. Again, do find tips
on how to make our thesis readable and not confusing.
f) I would advice that people start with the literature review and do a good job about it
because a good literature background will help with the discussions.
g) Do not spend too much time on the materials and methods – that’s the easy part and be
brave to tackle the most difficult part of the thesis – the discussion – early.
h) Get the first whole draft done ASAP. Because thesis is a whole document, sv can help
more if the document is almost complete. Plus, it’s easier once the first draft is done.
2. The writing process.
i) Thesis writing is hard for everyone ! English speaking or not. So, don’t despair..you are not
the only one.
j) Discipline is very important! Ignore distractions cause everything else will seem more
interesting than thesis writing even washing the toilet ! switch off internets, e-mail..don’t
facebook !! do that during breaks..
k) If possible, write the thesis continuously .. throughout the studies . Two hours a day in the
morning – just write. I didn’t do it but had hoped that I did.
l) Write the thesis in chunks – make realistic datelines. Realistic for me was 1 or 2 or 3
subsections of lit review in 1 day. No more. It always take about twice or three times the
time allocated to finish a section.
m) Writing thesis is very time consuming. I actually took at least 1 month each for literature
review and every results chapter. – be prepared for that and give the time. I’m hoping it’ll
be faster for you but just keep it in mind..If too little time is given - , we’ll get stressed and
frustrated.
n) Almost every statement that we make in the literature review and discussion needs backup
from the literature. So this takes a long time. Be prepared to have to read more and more as
we go along.
o) There will be a lot of frustrating moments..when stuck, when getting bad feedbacks, when
we need to add more, when the thesis structure changes....but just hang in there, take a
deep breath or take a break and move on..
p) Still be in touch with the sv.. we need them to make sure that we don’t stray away.
q) Language does interfere with conveying facts – so do get help from colleague, professionals
to proofread your thesis if needed - this will require extra time.
r) Writing thesis require hard work, a lot of reading and thinking..so if the head does not hurt
from thinking.. that’s not enough thinking so fire those neurons some more !
Note #10 We are not alone
Life is hard for all PhD students.. but believe me, all Phd students do have common problems, issues and worries and most PhD students will make it ! So do discuss, mingle, ask opinion, chat and chill with fellow students..it eases unnecessary worry . Don’t be scared to expose our work to others as it might be critised.. critisicm is important for us to move forward..I like my hubby’s analogy of American football about this.. we need to step backward to move forward. If get criticized..just swallow it, accept it if it’s right, do not be defensive and move on..if we get a chance to present your work.. take the opportunity and do it. We need to open ourselves for criticism. Not only we get help, it also ensure that we take your work more seriously cause of course we don’t want to be slammed during presentations. I was fortunate to take part of a yearly postgrad conference where 20-30 postgrads working on beef and sheep projects are gathered to present their work to be criticized by experts. It also came with a workshop and for many, nights of fun and a lot of booze.. I really enjoyed those conferences ( not the booze ;)) because not only I learn lot in the confererences, but it’s also good to see that no matter what topic, what nationality , what age..PhD students do have very similar problems.. it helped to feel that I was not alone.
Note #11 Keeping motivated
It is very easy to get demotivated and as a result slack during PhD , isn’t it ? It’s hard to comment on this because everyone is motivated by different things. Motivation can come from outside and inside. My family is a big motivation for me. At the same time, doing my PhD for the Almighty ( lilla hi Taala) helps to get me motivated. PhD is definitely in –line with what the Almighty wants of us which is to obtain knowledge. So ;
1) When we do our PhD for Allah, we are sincere, we do not just work for the supervisors, we will work hard all the time, because we know Allah is always watching.
2) When we do our PhD for Allah, we want to do the best because, the Almighty Allah has given us so much - our life, our health , our family, the sun and rain, the air that we breath, the ability to breath, the chance to do PhD ( not too many people get the chance). The very least for us to do to show our appreciation to Allah is to always do our best as He deserves no less from us.
3) When we do our PhD Allah, we will not slack. Almost all of us PhD students are scholarship holders . We will realize that we are accountable for every cent of allowance that we get . Every cent of allowance that we will use to buy food for us and our family. We have to make sure that every cent that we get is ‘Halal’ and thus it is our responsibility to make full use of the paid time allocated for us to do our PhD. So because of that, we will not waste time unnecessarily.
4) When we do our PhD for Allah – we will be strong and accept challenges. We are the Khalifah (leaders) of Allah! Being the best of His creations, we can do wonders and make changes ! We are capable of doing so much more than we allow us to do, so we will strive hard and keep going.
5) When we do our PhD for Allah – we will preservere as we know that we are not alone. Allah the Most Mighty and Merciful is always with those who please Him. So , if we get frustrated, demotivated, we can always turn the Allah to share our problems and ask for His help to give us the strength.
Note #12 – It’s a choice
Like everything else in life, completing PhD is a choice. A choice that we have to make and wholeheartedly work hard for. I don’t think people are destined to finish the PhD or not..it is still a choice. That is why are we are always encouraged to keep trying (ikhtiar). It’s up to us to make the choice and of course, a choice is followed by a consequence. So, do choose to take control of our PhD , choose to work hard, choose to ignore distractions and excuses, choose to get help when needed, choose to go that extra mile so that the PhD can be completed excellently. In addition, do choose to be closer to the Almighty, choose to please the Almighty and everyone around you and choose to get extra points with good deeds. So that in the end, the consequence is- PhD will be completed. Remember the phrase “ if there is a will..there is a way” ? If we want something so bad, we will choose to work so hard for it and we will get it. So, do choose to approach Phd that way cause I’m sure, if we’ve done our part, ALLAH being the most gracious and merciful.. will grant us what we want.
Alas, if that doesn’t happen and if we’ve done everything we can..but still does not complete the PhD..don’t despair, life moves on. There is a reason to that and the Almighty does knows best.
So there you go, twelve notes on my PhD roller coaster ride. Please clarify, that I am not against people pursuing PhD. I am glad I did mine as it is a life-changing experience that will help me be a better and stronger person in the future, Insyaallah. I actually encourage everyone to pursue knowledge at any level. My only intention for my little scribble is so that it can be used as some sort of a guide so that PhD of others can be made less stressful and can be completed sooner rather than later. Before I end my notes, I do wish to apologise if anyone’s feelings got hurt with my little notes, it is never my intention and I hope everyone can take my notes positively. All the best to everyone and feel free to contact me if you want to discuss anything about PhD !
Wassalam
