Just taking a break from working on the never ending MS thesis. To make a long story short I spend two years in school taking classes and conducting research for an MS and all I had to do was write and defend the thesis. Well I have since left school and two years later it’s still not done because basically I left grad school because I had zero interest in becoming a researcher. Seeing as it is two years and counting the decision is the correct one however I still want to finish the damn thing so I didn’t waste the time and to show perspective employers I’m not a quitter as it looks bad having spent this much time and not finished.
So I’m just basically asking do any of you have an grad school horror stories regarding writing your thesis? Any advice? Also I think some of my data isn’t too good but it’s not like at this point I can go back and redo it so do you think that would doom my thesis defense or should I just chug on regardless and hope no one spots it although it’s probably only apparent to me (after looking at it day after day after day after…)?
Good luck! I just finished up all of that, as in I deposited my MSc thesis at the library about 4 hours ago after having defended last week. Interestingly enough, my committee didn’t really pick at the data I thought was a bit weak and concentrated more on the stuff that was stronger. Obviously there’s no guarantee that that will happen for you, but it might give you a little hope. Basically, unless there are big, glaring flaws that no one could possibly miss, I say put the best possible spin on it without lying or distorting the data and keep going.
Otherwise, I’m not really sure what advice I can offer. I found that writing my thesis went fairly smoothly, if slowly. My only real nightmare was getting everyone together for the defence, which was admittedly exacerbated by the fact that I was trying to defend in the summer. At least that shouldn’t be a problem for you.
What eventually got it done for me was a bitter determination to get my damned life back.
I didn’t care overmuch about my topic anymore, or about a future as a researcher in that area. I just wanted the damn thing DONE and OFF MY BACK. Rather than mourn the loss of my passion and my good attitude as a candidate, I just embraced the anger and pounded the thing out.
I stand before you as a free woman. A degreed one.
I did my master’s thesis on a typewriter. An Olivetti. When travelling during Christmas to visit family and finish the damn thing, I packed two suitcases, one with clothes, the other with thesis material. Guess which the airlines lost? (They found it, whew!)
Do something every day, even if it’s getting just one figure legend done. Devote a specified amount of time (not too long if you find yourself just staring at the computer screen). If the time is an hour each night, make sure you don’t have any distractions during that time. Persistance pays here.
Some find it helpful to write an outline. I started an outline with my masters, but partway through, I found myself actually writing so I just kept going.
Unless your advisor said, “Wow, this stinks!”, realize that this is a common feeling among many graduate students. Very few theses are flawless. Address the weak points and move on.
Now, get to work! (Good luck and stay off the Dope while writing! 
)
And congratulations to you, Ms Macphisto!
Yeah, I forgot to mention that part - just wanting to be done and away from my evil supervisor was a strong motivator. Didn’t help entirely, since I’m the world’s worst procrastinator, but without that it would’ve taken even longer.
labrat2111, I think a lot of grads realize their data’s not all that, forget the bag of chips, well before they’re done. Profs do too. Not to worry.
If you’re the type who works best with some kind of deadline, you might try working with a paid editor – not to write anything for you, just to check for typos and incomplete setences, etc. Then at least someone is waiting for your chapters. I used to make my living as that kind of editor, and I discovered that was a significant “value added” aspect of my services for many students. If that appeals to you, you can almost surely find someone near you to work with, but if not drop me an email 'cause I love doing that work.
How do I even start this…?
This brief statement represents my commitment to writing a more in-depth testament to my recent grad experience at a later date; possibly in a week or two. I simply don’t (oh sorry professor… I mean DO NOT) have the energy left inside my soul at this point to paint a detailed portrait, even if it means sullying the very name of academia everywhere lol
I stopped counting at ten, but my most recent thesis draft has been submitted to the final two faculty members on the MPA committee for review.
Once I finally receive the “okay” on a final version, and receive a grade thus preventing the loss of my job, I will then return to The Straight Dope to prattle endlessly about the last year and a half of my graduate woes.
Cheers all!!
Two years. Two years of grad school.
Pussies.
I could do two years with one hand tied behind my back. I’m currently on my fourth year, and finally feeling like I’m beginning to get started on my PhD. We just had an eighth-year student graduate from our lab.
Also, this thread is from 2003.
I finished my M.A. courses in December 1995, determined to tie up all loose thesis-related ends over winter break and defend in January 1996. That was before my thesis advisor decided he didn’t give a damn about anything but himself, and lied to my department chair about whether he’d approved my topic, etc. while completely ignoring my various e-mails and phone calls inquiring as to when he thought he would get around to giving me his revisions so I could edit and prepare to defend it. Then I had to go out and get a job. Then he retired (which he never bothered to mention when he agreed to chair my committee).
Then a few months later, I shattered my left tibia and fibula, resulting in 4 rounds of surgery, several rounds of complications, ~ 3 years on crutches, and all kinds of fun. Then my committee chair died.
I was still going back and forth with leg rehab, all the while working a full-time job, so it took me a while to line up a new chair, who also turned out to be a flake - he told me to get an extension on the degree completion deadline from the Dean, which I did (an additional semester), but he forgot to tell me he would be out of the country that entire semester. After 2 more go-arounds along those lines, I finally defended the *(@%*(@% thing in 2001, got my M.A., and cut my losses.
So yeah, I feel for you.