![[OC] Emotional triggers reported by graduate students experiencing thesis procrastination (n=38)](https://www.byteseu.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/o6hf8ls7h3ff1-614x1536.jpeg "[OC] Emotional triggers reported by graduate students experiencing thesis procrastination (n=38)")
This is my first data visualization. I've done it in Canva. It delivered.
I surveyed graduate students about thesis procrastination patterns across Reddit academic communities.
Key findings from 38 respondents:
- 82% report feeling "overwhelmed" when attempting to write
- 74% experience anxiety/stress about writing quality
- 68% struggle with perfectionism paralysis
- 66% deal with self-doubt/imposter syndrome
- 69% report severe/significant life impact from procrastination
The data suggests this represents emotional regulation challenges rather than time management issues.
Data source: Anonymous survey via r/GradSchoolAdmissions, r/PhDStress (July 2025) – download link csv
Tools used: https://tally.so/forms/3X6dVY
Sample: 38 graduate students across 7+ academic fields
I am still gathering the data, if you still want to participate 🙂
Posted by catalinnp
7 Comments
this is an awesome project you’re working on. so important to gather this data to let young researchers know they’re not alone and there’s no shame in what they’re experiencing 🫂
Interesting data, overall pleasant to look at. Just a design note, but the black label bars seem to have random widths. And you may be missing % labels on Age Distribution chart.
Not a grad student but these findings deeply resonate. It’s been over five years of self-motivated, consulting work and it still seems like every project comes with a procrastination stage right before a key deliverable. It’s helpful to see other deep thinkers encounter similar friction. Thanks for sharing this.
You’re missing what really breaks through procrastination in your bottom chart: The deadline approaching.
This makes me want to ask what you were putting off doing so you could make this graphic
YESSSS!! I just finished my SLPD and I can confirm my accountabilibuddy was who got me through my culminating project/thesis. We met almost weekly. Supported each other through our projects and all other personal and professional shit along the way. I also used pomodoro techniques, therapy, and meds. But the accountability partner was definitely the money maker. Could not have done it without her!!!! Going to be sharing this with our program at Northwestern to encourage future cohorts to do the same!
I finished studying a couple years ago but this definitely spoke to me and as I read the results to my partner I could so clearly say what I used to do/not do which is interesting.
I also identify the ways I used to procrastinate now better than when I was studying which is probably a combination of maturing and not being in that environment.
Great research topic and work!