REALISTIC PHD DAY IN MY LIFE: the hidden labor of writing a dissertation 

My dissertation chair gave me a piece of advice. I was extremely valuable. She said to talk it out and then use like text to talk to write your section. In other words record yourself explaining what those two defining variables are and then listen to yourself. It’s easier for me to edit what I said versus sitting on the computer and coming up with an original thought. You know what it is you know what it sounds like; you know what you’re trying to say; talk it out before you write it out. You got this!

I appreciate that you’re willing to share your thoughts and how you’re working through the diss writing process. I feel like these vlogs are more helpful for understanding how to navigate the reality of the writing process than the productive vlogs for both me in my own writing and for my staff in our writing center. Thanks for your vulnerability and great vlogs!

I can totally relate. When I was in my MA program one of the girls in my cohort, who started the same semester I did, studied something similar to me (but on a different population) and we had 2 of the same thesis committee members. So in my head, she became the unofficial marker of where I "should" be each semester. It became A Thing for me, and I had to make sure I wasn't "behind" and I was "on pace" with her. It wasn't a competitive thing; I actually thought the world of her and really respected her work. But it was just hard because in my head I was so consumed with this arbitrary, self-imposed marker for success and it lived in my head rent free the entire last year of my program. (Amusingly enough, not only did we finish at the same time, she defended her thesis the day before me and we sat next to each other at graduation 😂) Writing is hard. And even if you do know what you're talking about, being able to not only verbalize your point and convey it clearly takes so much effort. But because it's such an internal process, on the outside it looks like we're not doing anything or making progress. Keep at it, girl! Once you finish your final draft and defend, this phase of the journey will just be part of the story that makes the destination all worth while. (I'm pretty sure I mixed up all my metaphors, lol. I just woke up so my brain isn't braining yet.)

I definitely hear what you’re saying about all the videos you’ve made and the behind the scenes labor you have done and shouldn’t that count for anything? I am an engineering PhD student so I have to run experiments and I have so much unusable data from failed experiments and I spent a full year troubleshooting experimental design. So basically two years of my PhD have “nothing” to show and it’s just such a bummer

totally agree you should be able to submit this channel as your diss....I hope you get the chance to try to change requirements for your own students in the future to allow them to be able to use non traditional forms of writing for their assignments and theses/dissertations

Martinez Mark Thomas Karen Walker Larry

Thanks so much for sharing your experiences with us! I have been watching for a while now and its been really great to share the experiences of grad school with you! I don’t know if you have ever said this in a vlog, but I was wondering if you had ever thought about doing an auto ethnography for a part of the dissertation? I am not sure if that would help, but it could allow you to include some of the hidden labor that you mention. It could be a way of talking about embodied writing snd your own experiences with vlogging.

I really appreciate you showing the realism of it, please don't feel like you always have to share "Productive" PhD vlogs. I know as well that while yes this channel is focused on your PhD, I also am interested in your life and the impact getting a PhD as on that so please don't feel like you need to show us a certain angle of looking at things

I've never commented on a youtube video before lol but this is so refreshing to hear!!! I'm nearing the end of my Master's (should graduate in the fall), but it has been a total roller coaster of emotions. One day I'm feeling confident and driven, then the next I have zero motivation and find myself in a rut for weeks on end. I also feel anxiety when I have to meet with my supervisor - I expect the meetings to go poorly, for her to finally realize I'm an impostor and she made a mistake taking me on as a student, etc., but when the meetings aren't a total trainwreck I find myself feeling so shocked. I SO appreciate you expressing your frustration and sharing this side of Graduate school, because I feel this so much but haven't had anyone share this feeling with me. It's very inspiring, comforting and reassuring. Thank you for being so candid, I needed this ❤

Good work on the hidden labor of writing

Makes my day when you make new vlogs Sarah and I am so so so grateful to watch this vlog and I wish you have a Adorable Weekend🥹💗✨

as a 6th year phd going into 7th year, i feel you, and we got this! i love how candid you are with the process and all of its ups and downs!

another great video

Truly loved this very raw and honest video! Yes! Writing is very difficult, especially when you are trying to sort through your own thoughts and ideas. It’s funny how you mentioned that temporality or looking at things after a period of time makes something seem strange. In my research, I talk about time and distance, and how back can bring more clarity. You are definitely my comfort, RU-vidr! ❤ And, OMG! That final snuggle session was precious 😢

You could be the first to give a clear or structured definition of the embodied / audience hype awareness and this can be a good contribution theoretically.

Omg I needed this after taking a four hour advanced organic synthesis final yesterday 🙃 your vlogs are so relaxing and make me so happy thank you!!