EricGerman
New member
- Joined
- Mar 10, 2026
- Messages
- 7
I've been reading this blog for grad students and one article hit me hard: "Take breaks before you're broken" . The author says: "The obsession with work seems embedded not only into our current civilization but also into academic pursuits. We are all focused, dedicated, committed, even driven in our scholarly work" .
That's me. I'm obsessed with the idea that I should be working every second. When I'm not writing, I feel guilty. When I am writing, I feel anxious it's not enough.
The same blog also has an article about learning centers (writing centers) and whether they're actually helpful for grad students . Many doctoral students have told the author about "the problems and splendors of learning centers" . If you're wondering about their value, the author suggests reading their observations to save time you should be spending on Chapter 5 .
I've never used my university's writing center. I always assumed it was for undergrads who don't know how to write. But maybe I should try?
Another post discusses "quoting vs. paraphrasing" and says: "It's a pity when surface problems scuttle otherwise strong scholarship. As an academic editor, I've noticed that poorly handled quotations are particularly damning" . Inelegant use of prior scholarship can make a writer seem "unsophisticated, or even amateur" .
Now I'm paranoid about my citations too.
The blog also has a section on "quoting vs. paraphrasing" with examples of how to do both effectively. They emphasize that paraphrasing shows deeper understanding than direct quotes.
For dissertation writers: what actually helped you? Writing groups? Writing centers? Forced breaks? I'll try anything at this point. The guilt is eating me alive.
That's me. I'm obsessed with the idea that I should be working every second. When I'm not writing, I feel guilty. When I am writing, I feel anxious it's not enough.
The same blog also has an article about learning centers (writing centers) and whether they're actually helpful for grad students . Many doctoral students have told the author about "the problems and splendors of learning centers" . If you're wondering about their value, the author suggests reading their observations to save time you should be spending on Chapter 5 .
I've never used my university's writing center. I always assumed it was for undergrads who don't know how to write. But maybe I should try?
Another post discusses "quoting vs. paraphrasing" and says: "It's a pity when surface problems scuttle otherwise strong scholarship. As an academic editor, I've noticed that poorly handled quotations are particularly damning" . Inelegant use of prior scholarship can make a writer seem "unsophisticated, or even amateur" .
Now I'm paranoid about my citations too.
The blog also has a section on "quoting vs. paraphrasing" with examples of how to do both effectively. They emphasize that paraphrasing shows deeper understanding than direct quotes.
For dissertation writers: what actually helped you? Writing groups? Writing centers? Forced breaks? I'll try anything at this point. The guilt is eating me alive.
