Today, I was certain that over the six years of struggling through my Ph.D., I had culminated in one truly original idea. Until I saw it published in another thesis, from 1953. FML
Collection
Fall
Dead leaves, the first cold of the season and an umbrella flipped inside out: fall, the season of grace.
Today, after 7 years of writing my PhD thesis, I found a book containing all the exact findings I've spent arduous hours, nay, years discovering. My tutoring professor somehow forgot to mention I was discovering sealing wax. FML
Today, after working on my novel for two years, I found out that another book has recently been published with an almost identical plot. I was going to submit it to a publisher in two days. FML
Today, I held a presentation about my masters thesis. Turns out, my professor never ever actually read the drafts I'd given him, but decided to rip me to pieces in front of everyone, saying that the topic isn't worth researching. I've been working on it for six months. FML
Today, I asked my professor for his opinion on the subject I plan to study in my thesis. Turns out, he likes it so much that he's going to steal it from me. FML
Today, after six months of writing a 40 page paper criticizing a famous method, I found out the professor who conceived it has transferred to my favorite college to head the department I'm applying to study in. They require I submit the paper with my application. FML
Today, after pulling an all-nighter on an essay, I submitted it one minute before the deadline and felt like a genius. Later, I reopened the file and discovered I'd uploaded the rough draft instead of the final version. The last line ended with “fix this later,” which was not my finest academic work. FML
Today, I finished my 83-page thesis for my Stanford class and put it on my desk. Then, as a prank, my girlfriend hid it. She forgot where she put it. The thesis is due in 3 days. FML
Today, I'm supposed to hand in my Master's thesis. I only very vaguely remember my enthusiasm of six months ago, but remember clearly that - this time - I was planning to start in time and avoid last-minute stress. Seeing the sun come up at 5 a.m. tells me that it was a tad too optimistic. Just ten more hours to go… FML
Today, I realized the only real accomplishment I've had in my life that I take any pride in is that I've had an FML published. FML
Today, I got a paper back that was given a zero for suspected plagiarism. Everything I wrote was my own thought and analysis. My instructor basically thinks my paper is smarter than I am. He won't listen, even when I explain my thought processes throughout the piece. FML
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Top comments
bigredmonkeybutt 30
"There is no such thing as a new idea." - Mark Twain
RichardPencil 32
"There's nothing new under the sun." Just hope the plagiarism checker doesn't go all the way back to 1953!
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Comments (10)
Dark_Cecilia 20
Well, if it means anything, alot changed from then
bigredmonkeybutt 30
"There is no such thing as a new idea." - Mark Twain
RichardPencil 32
"There's nothing new under the sun." Just hope the plagiarism checker doesn't go all the way back to 1953!
Smokey_649667268 2
Omg
KFrankly 18
zizo elbrof
species4872 20
Most ideas are expansions built upon previous ideas. Just because your idea was thought of before does not diminish your own efforts. Improvements, expanding concepts and/or applications is the progress of human achievement. Keep it up.
Cali 57
Well said!
Colon_Man 17
On imgur things get reposted within an hour. So, you might be OK.
Attacksloth 33
Honestly, I've only done a master's degree. I know doctorates are on a whole new level of difficulty, but even with my master's thesis, I needed to read or at least be aware of virtually every single argument in my topic. Didn't you do your comprehensives or relevant coursework?
Attacksloth 33
Side note, that sucks and I hope you can find a different spin on your research. I had to do that with mine about a quarter through research.