I don’t know how many times I’ve started a blog post with some variation of: I’m tired, I’m wiped, I’m burned out, etc. That just seems to be my perpetual state right now. The good news is that I’m being very productive and solving my own problems (yay! I’m competent in troubleshooting– I’m not sure how valuable a skill that is, though). However, I’m having a harder time focusing on my own project.
Let me explain. So: Labmate is going to propose her dissertation research plan/take her qualifying exam this fall. The prep has started now, meaning that she has started writing up her plan and discussing it with Advisor and, sometimes, me. I’m finding that after working on these particular projects for the past (gulp) three years, I’m way more interested in Labmate’s proposed projects. (It couldn’t be that I’m frustrated/bored with my own now. I’m sure that’s not the case at all. /end sarcasm) Not only that, but I’ve got all these ideas of where they could go. The other day I pitched one to Advisor, who told me that it was way too much for Labmate to do. I told him that I could possibly work on it as a side project. He looked at me like I was nuts. Then he, kindly, reminded me that I had two major ongoing projects, one side project already, and he’d like to see me graduated before I ran out of funding. Basically, I need to focus on my project.
I know that I need to focus and I know that I need to get out of here before I’m out of funding, but-but Why does Labmate get to do all the interesting stuff, while I’m stuck here with the same old stinking projects? /end rather silly whining
Maybe the research grass is always greener? 🙂
First of all the ability to troubleshoot and solve problems on your own is a huge skill and one that is absolutely necessary for independent investigators. Secondly, it sounds like you also have a mind for scientific ideas. That may not seem like much but you'd be surprised how many people can't just hear someone else's project and come up with interesting variations or side projects.
However being both an idea person and a troubleshooter/problem solver does lend itself to (a) getting distracted by new ideas and (b) getting stuck on difficult projects (because you can actually handle them)–both of which can keep you from your main goal, which is finishing grad school. So while I agree totally with your advisor I also think you should give yourself the credit you deserve for being an awesome scientist.
I've felt this way at times, too. My project seems all basic and simple compared to other stuff the lab is doing. I think that's because I'm so close to this project now, though. At least I hope that's why.
You've been working on at least one of those projects for quite a while, now; maybe it's a little natural to feel somewhat bored by it, at least some of the time. So, yeah, get it done, then move to the greener grass, wherever/whatever that is.
And some people are maybe ultimately better at shorter-term projects, but that's hard to know w/o more exoerience perhaps. Like, for me, a two-year project can seem endless, unless the tasks within it are quite varied.
And also yeah, troubleshooting -one own's life or anything, is highly valuable and useful. Come do mine!
Ha! I sooooo know how that feels. I *must* get the ManuBeast published to graduate and it's actually pretty close. But I am SO.BLEEDING.TIRED of thinking about that project that I'm finding it very easy to be distracted by shiny new observations, when I really need to finish this thing and be done with it all. You're not alone!
This sounds like a classic case of late-stage graduate-studentism. Fortunately it's completely curable. You're bored/frustrated with your own projects because you've been working on them too darn long (in your mind, at least). Combine that with the scientific maturity to see research possibilities outside of your current project, and you've got the makings of an unhappy, jealous scientist. The cure is to what your advisor advises and focus on your own work, so that you can get it done, graduate, and be free to move on to other projects.
Write these ideas down now that way when you move onto a postdoc or associate prof you can get the ball rolling on them.
I kind of have the opposite problem — because I am so interdisciplinary (I'm in a pretty basic signaling biology cancer program, but my work is all applied mathematics, biochemistry, and biophysics) everyone is jealous of what I get to do… except me. Spending 2 years trying to purify the same protein? Hate. 3 years trying to dialyze another protein? Hate. Over my head in mathematical mapping and protein predictions? Hate.
Meanwhile, the other graduate student has a lame, boring, predictable project… that always works. She's already writing her second paper. I would trade in a heartbeat! (I mean, I find what I do to be interesting, but frankly, I just want to graduate and move closer to Husband as soon as possible… a fascinating project that keeps me here 2 extra years is not worth it, IMO.)
I was going to chip in, but everyone else has already said what I was going to say 😉
Psycgirl: That's possibly true, it's just looking pretty bright green right now. 🙂
Brigindo: Thanks for the compliment. I'm not feeling quite like an awesome scientist, more like a whiny brat.
EGF: I've got the opposite problem. I'm developing two new techniques for the lab. And I'm so sick of it. I'm beginning to think that we both might be too close to it.
Silver Fox: Three years is starting to feel like a really long time. Maybe I am better suited to shorter term projects.
AA: I'm so glad I'm not the only one! Seriously, I was beginning to feel like I was crazy.
Science Woman: That's what I was afraid of… that graduation is the only cure. 🙂 It's so close, yet so far. (And can't come soon enough! Ok, back to collecting moar data!)
Jennie: Advisor told me to do the same. He's been talking to me about that sort of stuff to get ready for a postdoc.
EtBr: I do fantasize about a project that always works (as mine definitely doesn't always do so). I'm really ready to be done with some of this stuff and move on! At this point in time, though, I might trade 😉
Cath: Thanks 🙂
Hah, those symptoms don't at all seem familiar 🙂 I am glad your advisor is keeping you on track 🙂
Jennie is right on the money. How awesome that you are already coming up with new ideas!
Your sentiments exactly echo mine. I'm watching another student in my lab do really exciting stuff while I'm struggling to get my stuff out the door. I've been staring at it so long I almost hate my project. Others do find it interesting; I'm just ready to move on.
Plus, I find that I would rather solve problems in my head over solving them on the bench. Something I have to overcome.