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My name is Hannah and I am a first year PhD student here in Manchester researching the characterization of girls in the Hebrew Bible in relation to the subject of sacrifice – and I would like to talk a bit about my life as a doctoral student actually. I want to break down some unrealistic expectations often placed on PhD students and why, starting with a very real day in my life.
Refocusing your energy
The stress of these major conflicts would not help your satisfaction. You can face it or ignore it as long as you can, but it will hit you right in the gut whether you like it or not.
If you feel powerless under pressure to do well on your test, consider focusing your energy on something that stimulates your will to learn. Remember the old saying “Jack is a boring boy when he works and doesn’t play.”
How did I become a PhD student?
Hello! My name is Ellen and I am a first year PhD student at the University of Oxford. I am studying for a PhD (or DPhil as it is called here) in English Literature. I also have a BA and MA in English Literature and these qualifications enabled me to undertake research studies. This means I am a full time student after five years (so far)! I can do it full time thanks to a generous scholarship that covers my tuition and living expenses.
I wanted to do my doctorate because I am passionate about studying literature and I like discovering new things and talking to other people about them!
Dealing with mental health as a graduate student
Graduate school can be a tough and isolating experience. You may feel like you’re the only one struggling with mental health issues, but the reality is that many other graduate students are in the same boat. It’s important to take care of yourself mentally and physically while you’re at school, and there are a number of resources that can help you do this.
Here are some tips for managing your mental health as a grad student: – Find a support group: There are many online and in-person support groups for grad students struggling with mental health issues. Finding a community of people who understand what you’re going through is a big help.- Seek an advisor: Don’t be afraid to seek advice if you’re having trouble. An adviser can support and guide you as you progress through higher education. – Take care of your physical health: Proper nutrition, getting enough exercise and enough sleep are essential to maintaining good mental health. Be sure to schedule time for these activities in your week. – Get a Hobby: Doing something you enjoy outside of college can help you relax and reduce stress. Make time for your hobbies and interests!
You control your time
Overall, thesis supervisors give their students great freedom to organize their time. As long as you do the work, it doesn’t matter when you do it. This means that you can adapt your work to the activities more easily than in a structured work environment.
In the UK, for example, university sports clubs usually meet on Wednesday evenings. I know graduate students who use flexible work to take that time off and practice their favorite sport. Similarly, lab colleagues reformed their work to accommodate orchestra practice, and I took the time to host events for student associations and volunteers.