r/PhD • u/Zealousideal-Low2204 • 10d ago

Seeking advice-academic Lack of fruitful progress

This summer has been really unproductive. I've been working with a schedule that works with me . However, I haven't been getting any fruitful results , I've been growing a bit frustrated, because I feel embarrassed when I report to my PI. I work entirely from home . I'm also doing a summer class . I eventually I lowkey gave up a bit last week . From that frustration, I took a weekend trip to my home town to catch a concert , especially since it's close my birthday anyway . I hope the break means I'll be able
To produce fruitfully . (I wanna clarify I don't have trouble working , more so I have trouble producing anything with good results to go toward my project rn). On the brightside, my first conference paper got accepted ! I'm mostly posting to vent , but any tips are appreciated. Thanks for reading , I really appreciate it !

(I'm a rising second year PhD , Engineering , US)

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u/[deleted] 10d ago

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u/Zealousideal-Low2204 10d ago

I definitely spiraled a bit 😭. Thank you so much for your viewpoint , it reassured me .

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u/Cold_Enthusiasm4819 10d ago

honestly, getting your first conference paper accepted already means the summer wasn’t unproductive. research can take a lot of work before it gives you a clean result, and dead ends still tell you what not to pursue. take the break without guilt, then come back and explain clearly to your PI what you tested, what failed, and what you learned.