It has been a week since I submitted my thesis, and honestly it still feels surreal. Submitting a thesis is something that you envision since the very first day of your PhD, and the journey from that very first day until submission is long, hard, exhausting, and stressful. But also unique, interesting, and inspiring. The last few months have been […]
The last few months have been particularly busy, I have been finishing my PhD, working full time, marking, teaching online, and running this blog. I promise this post isn’t for your sympathy, it is to be transparent about the difficulties of fitting this much in, but in the same vein showing that it is possible (although probably not sustainable long […]
Time to fix last minute edits- Formatting a thesis is so incredibly frustrating, and there is some formatting that cannot be done until the very last minute as everything continually changes. Set time aside to anticipate those final formatting issues Coffee- DUH Some ‘mindful minutes’- submitting a PhD is a big deal and a weird experience. It is something not […]
Sending an email is an integral part of many of our jobs and while it seems so simple (and often it is) the email etiquette can make the whole thing very confusing. How does one address the person they are emailing? Use formalities (Dr., Professor, Mrs, Mr ?), go with a full name? When is it okay to start using […]
Finishing a PhD is a huge effort, one in which you write and edit approx 50,000-70,000 words, including scientific paper chapters. Don’t get me wrong this task has been incredibly difficult, but what I have found even harder in the last few months of the PhD is the tiny little formatting errors and annoyances. If you are yet to get […]
Since leaving full-time PhD work and getting a job in the industry I have been reflecting upon my time as a full time PhD student. I have realised that there are many things that we accept as PhD students that I’m not really sure we should*. Feeling guilty for not working on the weekend or for not being the last […]
What is my PhD even about? What did I actually find? I don’t even know anymore. How do I have imposter syndrome worse than ever four years into my PhD?!? This paragraph is really well written- maybe my thesis isn’t as terrible as I thought I wonder what my PhD examiners are doing right now? I forget I found that […]
I wrote a survival guide for the last few months of a PhD a little while again and now I am updating it for the last month! Things are getting very close now. Countdown Calendar- This not only clearly outlines what tasks need to be achieved each day but it also serves as good motivation. Mine is on the fridge […]
**In Collaboration** When you work for yourself, or are studying, then getting a work and life balance is something that can be a bit of a juggle. When there are deadlines to meet and assignments to get done, then it can be hard to just think about booking a doctor’s appointment or going to your child’s dance recital. If you […]
As the submission date is nearing I feel like I am both on track and four years behind at the same time. Since the last PhD update a lot has been done: Study 1 is officially published and online Study 3 has been finished drafted-edits needed- and new draft sent to supervisor Study 2 unfortunately has been sitting dormant waiting […]