Thursday, December 1, 2016

Academic Writing

Bonjour!

If I had to give one answer to what I've gained from my journey here, it is how to write a scientific paper. This is the place where I can see a tremendous learning curve. Writing a scientific paper as a foreign student, a non-native speaker simply not simple.

I'm now writing my second manuscript. After the 2nd revision by my co-advisor, I sent out this version purposely to the native English for critical reviews. They both are researchers, although not working closely in my area. I had no idea about their review style, but I do know they are nice people, and they for sure know how to write. Receiving 4 different reviews is great, but incorporating constructive comments into a single paper can be so overwhelming.

I would make the changes based on their comments one after another. I would also take a break in between. I am eager to make this paper to be well-written and has the standard of so-called a scientific paper. Well, at least an inch closer.

Conducting experiments without strong pre-knowledge, and lack of guidance from experts was tiring enough. That said, writing a paper with a time constraint does not make the journey less stressful. If I don't remind myself that getting this degree is a learning process, I would be not be able to appreciate the sluggishness. I do learn something, and I believe I could advise other people how to do the sailing smoothly.

I am grateful that I get a chance to meet a professor whom I'm proud being her student. This professor manifests what are the quality needed in order to be an educator and a researcher. What's more, she is a Muslim. Intelligent, objective, very responsive, down-to-earth are just a few examples of her personality. And she is also one of my internal reviewers. Alhamdulillah. May Allah preserve the professor and the entire family.

Thursday
12/1/2016
8.37 PM