5 dumb things I did during my PhD...and 5 smart:
Dumb things first (in no particular order of dumbness) π
βTrying to prove myself
π Like many international and first-gen PhDs in the US, I tried to prove I was smart enough to be there.
π’ This made me feel insecure and anxious.
β You're smart, that's why you're in a PhD program. You don't have to prove anything.
π Like many international and first-gen PhDs in the US, I tried to prove I was smart enough to be there.
π’ This made me feel insecure and anxious.
β You're smart, that's why you're in a PhD program. You don't have to prove anything.
β Trying to do too much
π Because I felt insecure, I tried to overcompensate by auditing extra courses and attending every talk on campus.
π’ There was no time for my family or even my own self.
β Prioritize what's important, and family is very important.
π Because I felt insecure, I tried to overcompensate by auditing extra courses and attending every talk on campus.
π’ There was no time for my family or even my own self.
β Prioritize what's important, and family is very important.
β Fake-working
π I'd spend hours aimlessly browsing Google Scholar and writing unimportant emails thinking I was working. I wasn't.
π’ I'd exhaust myself without accomplishing anything meaningful.
β Work with intent and self-accountability.
π I'd spend hours aimlessly browsing Google Scholar and writing unimportant emails thinking I was working. I wasn't.
π’ I'd exhaust myself without accomplishing anything meaningful.
β Work with intent and self-accountability.
β My dissertation would change the world
π A dissertation is a school project meant to learn research skills. Nobody wins a Nobel prize with their dissertation.
π’ This unrealistic expectation set me up for failure.
β Focus on acquiring skills. Prizes will follow.
π A dissertation is a school project meant to learn research skills. Nobody wins a Nobel prize with their dissertation.
π’ This unrealistic expectation set me up for failure.
β Focus on acquiring skills. Prizes will follow.
β Not asking for help
π Since I'd been raised with "traditional masculine values" I thought asking for help would make me look "weak."
π’ I could've easily avoided a lot of grief if I had the courage to ask for help.
β Asking for help doesn't make you look weak.
π Since I'd been raised with "traditional masculine values" I thought asking for help would make me look "weak."
π’ I could've easily avoided a lot of grief if I had the courage to ask for help.
β Asking for help doesn't make you look weak.
On to the smart things now:
βοΈ Mental health counselling
π I'd struggled with high-functioning anxiety. I knew I wouldn't make it without counselling.
π Counselling helped me grow both as a scholar and a person.
π’ PhD messes with your head. Get in touch with folks who can keep you sane.
π I'd struggled with high-functioning anxiety. I knew I wouldn't make it without counselling.
π Counselling helped me grow both as a scholar and a person.
π’ PhD messes with your head. Get in touch with folks who can keep you sane.
βοΈ Academic writing coaching
π I took regular writing workshops to find a writing style/routine that suited me best.
π This proved to be a great investment. Now I help other folks with academic writing.
π’ Writing is a big part of a PhD. Learn to do it effectively.
π I took regular writing workshops to find a writing style/routine that suited me best.
π This proved to be a great investment. Now I help other folks with academic writing.
π’ Writing is a big part of a PhD. Learn to do it effectively.
βοΈ Instituting a rewards system
π After I figured things out, I stopped punishing myself for what I didn't do. Instead, I'd reward for what I did do.
π I celebrated small successes, and I still do.
π’ Don't punish yourself. Be kind to your own self.
π After I figured things out, I stopped punishing myself for what I didn't do. Instead, I'd reward for what I did do.
π I celebrated small successes, and I still do.
π’ Don't punish yourself. Be kind to your own self.
βοΈ Work-life balance
π After figuring things out, I built a routine: 9:30am-4:30pm work. Family time after that.
π This made me happier and I really looked forward to work.
π’ PhD is a long (very long) process. Overwork will result in a burn out sooner or later.
π After figuring things out, I built a routine: 9:30am-4:30pm work. Family time after that.
π This made me happier and I really looked forward to work.
π’ PhD is a long (very long) process. Overwork will result in a burn out sooner or later.
βοΈ Regular exercise
π I exercised regularly - running and/or swimming.
π During the 5 years of my PhD, I went to see the doctor once, and that was for strep throat.
π’ Exercise. You don't need a fancy gym. A simple exercise mat would do just fine.
π I exercised regularly - running and/or swimming.
π During the 5 years of my PhD, I went to see the doctor once, and that was for strep throat.
π’ Exercise. You don't need a fancy gym. A simple exercise mat would do just fine.
Hope you found the thread useful.
And if you did:
1. Scroll to the top and retweet the first tweet to share it with your friends and colleagues.
2. Follow me @MushtaqBilalPhD for tips on academic writing.
And if you did:
1. Scroll to the top and retweet the first tweet to share it with your friends and colleagues.
2. Follow me @MushtaqBilalPhD for tips on academic writing.
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