EricGerman
New member
- Joined
- Mar 10, 2026
- Messages
- 6
I'm considering joining a dissertation support group but I'm not sure if it'll help or just be more social anxiety. A blog for grad students has TWO posts about this .
One student said: "I couldn't write. I'd be in the library, staring at the portrait of the bearded benefactor, and the time would just tick by. That's when I decided to join the group" . She wasn't alone in her struggle.
The blog says groups can be excellent for "solace, support and motivation" and "sharing of information and writing techniques" . That sounds good.
But Part 1 warns about "some of the dangers of a group" . Like what? I'm worried about:
For PhD students who've done these groups: did they help? What made them work? What made them fail? I need to know before I commit.
One student said: "I couldn't write. I'd be in the library, staring at the portrait of the bearded benefactor, and the time would just tick by. That's when I decided to join the group" . She wasn't alone in her struggle.
The blog says groups can be excellent for "solace, support and motivation" and "sharing of information and writing techniques" . That sounds good.
But Part 1 warns about "some of the dangers of a group" . Like what? I'm worried about:
- Comparing myself to others and feeling worse
- Wasting time chatting instead of writing
- Feeling obligated to attend when I'm not in the mood
For PhD students who've done these groups: did they help? What made them work? What made them fail? I need to know before I commit.
