This Might Not Work

I was halfway through my PhD journey before I accepted a truth about my research: “I’m trying this, but it might not work.”

I spent weeks trying various methods to get an algorithm to act as I expected.

It took me a long time to decipher what papers meant and then combine them to prove the results I needed.

And I tried different approaches for over two months before I realised that I couldn’t solve the equation I was working on. And I never did solve it.

This might not work.

It could be a helpful thought to hold on to from time to time during a PhD. You can work hard, try your absolute best but fail to get the result. You could read a lot but not find what you wanted, or understand what you need. You could explore your area and leave with more questions than when you started.

Sometimes PhD candidates hold on to the thought as they approach their viva – but that’s a mistake.

By the time you’ve reached the viva you’ve already passed submission. Despite all the problems you’ve faced and times when things haven’t worked, enough has worked for you to complete your thesis.

By then, enough things have worked out for you that the viva will work out too.