How to stop wasting time and finish my PhD in time?
481243
You haven't specified what your real problem is.  Have you lost interest in your topic?  Have you hit a snag in your research?  Are you just procrastinating?\n\nIf you're having a specific difficulty, post another question.  I'll look for it.\n\nIf it's lack of support you're suffering from, try the website called Phinished.  Here's their statement:\n\nThis discussion and support group is for you if: \n\nYou are sick to death of people asking you "How is your dissertation [or thesis] coming?" (but you really would like to talk about your troubles in finishing -- with anybody except those who keep asking, no matter how genuinely concerned they may be, or may seem to be). \n\nYou have vague fears about finishing, but don't feel you have a safe outlet for discussing whatever it is you seem to be afraid of. \n\nYou're having organizational problems or blocks. \n\nYou are not getting the kind of support you need -- from your university, your employer, your family members or friends. Maybe you don't even know what kind of support you need, just that you don't have it! \n\nFace-to-face support groups offered by your university don't suit you, for whatever reason \n\nYou've been in this stagnant state of incompletion, and want to help those still plugging, or flailing.
813782
It depends on what you go for and where you go, and what you want to do after the PhD.  If you're just going for the degree and don't care what you do afterwords, you might be able to pick it up in 4 years after the Bachelors.  If you want to go into research, and your advisers want you to publish on a couple of different subjects, it might take 4-6.  If you want to teach at a university you'll probably have to pick up a minimum of a year or two of strictly TAing, including developing labs and such, which could take 6-8 years after the bachelors.  Also, the top schools tend to take longer because again, the end goal is not to just "get out" but to become a real expect at developing and solving open ended questions.\n\nFor example, at a top 5 research university in engineering, it took 4-5 years for the BS, 2 for the MS, and 3-5 for the PhD.  But you come out with one of the most prestigious degrees in the world.
106420
Find new things, groups, experiences etc... to occupy your time.  I love change.  I get very antsy and bored quickly.  I constantly change my activities and interests in order to compensate for this.  Constantly find new projects, groups for your kids, write a book.  Whatever interests you.  Only you can determine what will make you happy.  Maybe a new degree and a career change.  Explore your interests!
1033769
To be a slacker is your idea of a profession.....be sincere and focused on your education. This should be your goal and not the cheap way out method. It will help you achieve your goals in life and make you comfortable and happy. I am a Biology Prof at a well known University who spent 4 serious years for a BS degree, 1 1/2 years to get my MS in a Botanical Sciences specialty, plus additional (3 years) time to earn my terminal degree. ...taught public school 7-12 for 10 years...saw the downward direction of youth today and switched over to College level teaching where students are more focused to earn good scores for the most part because they wish to catch the golden ring at the end of the ride....Students who make constant excuses and whine, do not get anywhere with me. Procrastination is not a good habit to get into or characteristic to enhance. Being last minute is not a GUY THING as one student told me when he needed to pass in a lab report the following day after two weeks to assemble the data..... I  teach full time and Supervise student teachers to hopefully make a difference in their student's POOR attitudes to what schooling is all about and help with student/class management skills......All my teachers (18) are now teachers who WILL make a difference out there to change kids with your attitudes around!!!
647940
i am working on a masters in anthropology right now. i think like any profession it is important to get experience. don’t limit yourself ... do some archaeology, that is where you will find many more opportunities to work. \n\ngraduate school is no easy task, so if you are tired take a break. you will need time to pick a school and take the gre. be sure you choose your masters program carefully and i underline carefully. go and talk to the grad students … listen to what they say about the department they will tell you the truth. find out how quickly students are graduating. if they are managing it in 2 or 3 years than the professors are supportive...which is very important.\n\ntalk the graduate advisor to make sure the program they have for the area you want to study is one that you can work with. ask the advisor about funding and make sure you can get funded for at least the time that you have to take classes. its a lot easier to work outside of school once you are down to just writing your thesis… if you have to work that is.\n\ni do suggest taking some business classes if you can fit them in.\n\nyou can teach any subject where you are strong. i taught biology. i am finding the business world to like the fact that i am an anthropologists. anthropology encompasses so many things you will have a great time putting it to use.\n\nwhat made grad school more enjoyable was listening to stories about peoples travels and sharing my own. who knows you may find your thesis out there. take a break, travel, take the gre and find a school and program that is good for you!!\n\nBest wishes
434842
Whenever I am procrastinating (which is more frequently than I would care to admit) I find it best to take the easiest, least drudge-like task and tackle it first. So start with an outline to the papers, write your name, your professors name leave a blank for the title, Section it off into sections reading "thesis statement", introductory paragraph etc. It' sjust easier that way. Ok, this said, I will now get a start on my two papers that are due on Thursday! Thanks for the reminder. (And by the way your thoughts aren't useless :)
704524
you shoud finish your degree because you have more than 1 year to go.  After completing, apply for a graduate school (to earn master or Ph.D degree...)
591202
A useful way in which to spend YOUR time, would be to join an English self-improvement course - and learn how to spell correctly, plus write grammatically, in proper English. \n...That 'time' will definitely be the BEST investment you can make towards ensuring [a] better marks at school, [b] admission into a better college, and [c] gaining a well paying job !\nBest of Luck.
315356
It would certainly be more difficult. I would look into your institutions PhD programs requirements since in many cases you can apply for some type of extension depending on your circumstances, but most places are going to require you to have made some significant progress in 3 years otherwise they may drop you from the program. Most likely it just means  your margin of error is a little bit smaller than otherwise.
462101
I have procrastinated my way through school, university and my job (that is why I am on here). I have only just started understanding why I do it.\n\nThere are many reasons why - fear of failure, fear of doing something difficult, etc. There is only one solution - getting into a habit of starting (not finishing!) at a certain time. Set yourself a target of starting - doing 15 minutes and then you will find that you probably don't want to stop!\n\nDon't overburden yourself. Aim to start, not to get it done. Do 15 minutes NOW. Oh, and get off the internet. It will not help you right now.
1168087
Sorry Eddie, your question is much too general... what goals do you feel you need to reach for your Ph.D. to be "good"?\n\nFrom your question, I'm going to assume that you are not currently in graduate school.\n\nPh.D. Program: As a minimum, you should expect the Ph.D. program you attend to give you a tuition waiver and living stipend.  Some of these stipends are tiny ($5-10,000/year) and many have T.A./teaching requirements attached to them.  Working a part-time job is next to impossible so be prepared to be poor.  Depending on the program, you can often pick up extra money your 2nd or 3rd year working on a grant-funded project or doing other degree-related work.\n\nBeyond the minimum, go for the highest "ranked" program you can get accepted to.  If you are accepted to more than one similarly ranked programs, visit and try to get a feel for the academic culture - are the students cutthroat? Is it a "pressure cooker"?  Do any students have difficulty getting access to their advisor?  How long is the time to degree? Are the students getting jobs after graduating?\n\nAdvisor: Select a graduate advisor you feel comfortable talking to and make your post-graduation goals clear from the outset.  A good advisor will shape your training to fit those post-graduate goals.  \n\nThesis: In general, it is better to have a decent completed thesis than an awesome uncompleted thesis.  Many graduate students spend years (literally) doing a fantastic dissertation.  However, for many of their career goals, they should have done a simpler thesis (in half the time).\n\nBy the way, no matter how excited you are about your thesis to begin with, you'll hate it by the end.  That's just the way it works.\n\nSorry I couldn't offer more specific advice, but I hope this helps...
947349
Always work hard, do your research properly.!!!\nNever give up, remember we cannot be good in everything we do so always spend extra time on your weak points.!!!\nGood Luck.!!!
309006
You should try 'active study' methods.\nMake short notes and summaries as you read. This works for all subjects.\nRemember that you can only concentrate fully for between 30 and 40 minutes at a time and that the most productive time is the second hour of study.
54965
Make a list of things you want to achieve, set date/goals for them. Hold yourself accountable. \n\nAnd spend less time on the Internet. ;-)\n\nImran
503349
go for walk, get some fresh air, think about what you wanna write....\n\nyou might wanna skim your research and that'll help you in writing it.\n\nyou just sound like you need motivation....you must be passtionate about your thesis...that should be motivating in itself.\n\nbreak up your entire thesis in smaller segments, you'll get things accomplished then.
782386
The best way is to make a revision timetable.  That helps you to structure your time and requirements.\nRevise in short bursts.\n  If you have TV's and games consoles in your room you might want to think about taking them out whilst you revise, to remove the possibility of distractions.\n  Turn off your mobile.\n  Aim to study for not longer than thirty to forty five minutes at a time.  research has shown that anything longer than this is pointless as the brain won't retain information.\nMake sure the room you revise is is not too hot, that will make you feel sleepy.\nTake regular breaks, use the breaks to get a drink, water, fruit juice, and maybe a treat to reward yourself.  \nWalk about during the break, remove yourself from the 'revision centre'.\nFeel proud of yourself each time you complete a period of revision.\nTry not to get too stressed\nPlan treats and rewards for yourself, that way the revision won't take over completely but you will approach it with renewed energy rather than feeling  your entire life is 24/7 revision.\nGood luck!!!
158665
Are you aiming for a post-doc or a professorship?\n\nThe latter is likely impossible for you, unless you are particularly brilliant (e.g. lots of research money and a recent publication in Nature or Science)