Two years into a Ph.D. program in the biological science (in the US) and I am in a lab doing research. The lab I'm in takes a hand-off approach to our research, so much of the motivation to do projects must come from me. Unfortunately I'm the kind of person who needs deadlines and strong guidance, and without these two things I've begun to drift a little. Any tips for keeping my eyes on the prize and staying immersed in my field? [more inside]
posted by Archibald Edmund Binns on Feb 1, 2013 - 8 answers

I am in a cohort of a few PhD fellows who, at the time we could really use each other for support, find ourselves scattered to various corners of New England. How can we motivate each other when we don't see each other on a regular basis? [more inside]
posted by absquatulate on Aug 15, 2012 - 5 answers

Need specific advice on finding motivation for work in a PhD program. Snowflakey background information included of course. [more inside]
posted by blue_bicycle on Aug 3, 2012 - 10 answers

After years of escapism, how to anchor life to meaning (or vice versa?) when almost four years of research hasn't amounted to anything? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on May 10, 2012 - 21 answers

Any advice for finishing a PhD thesis while working? [more inside]
posted by miyabo on Sep 17, 2011 - 14 answers

How to Be Awesome and Finish a PhD? I'm in my first term of an engineering PhD (post-bachelors and 2yrs working in industry). My work is sucking: I don't do enough homework or research. How do I get back the drive I felt in high school when I was a clueless single guy who felt he had to prove he was brilliant? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Nov 20, 2010 - 8 answers

Why am I getting a PhD? [more inside]
posted by Weng on Oct 6, 2008 - 11 answers