What I do outside my phd

TL;DR

The video provides an overview of how a research assistant balances academic work, research projects, and personal hobbies during her PhD journey.

Transcript

hi guys welcome back and if you haven't been here before my name is ava i'm a research assistant at kings and i'm doing a phd at ucl so today i thought i'd talk a bit about what kind of things i do as hobbies academically and kind of just not academically for me outside of my research system and phd role i do think that this is going to decrease mo... Read More

Key Insights

• 👨‍🔬 Unpaid research experiences can be valuable for gaining skills and enhancing academic profiles.
• 🛟 Balancing personal hobbies and social life with academic pursuits is challenging but essential for overall well-being.
• ❓ Engagement in creative activities can provide relaxation and a sense of achievement.
• 😀 Use of technology, such as mental health apps, offers opportunities to apply academic knowledge in practical settings.
• 💬 The impact of supervisor or reviewer comments can sometimes affect the timeline of research projects.
• 🎮 Maintaining consistency and improving personal hobbies, such as creating YouTube videos, can provide a sense of fulfillment.
• 😘 Reflecting on gratitude and engaging in exercises like meditation can help during low moments.

Questions & Answers

Q: What are the benefits of doing unpaid research outside of a paid research assistant role?

Unpaid research experiences offer an opportunity to gain valuable skills and experience, which can be mentioned in personal statements and boost chances of getting into PhD programs or securing research positions.

Q: How does the speaker manage her research projects while also working as a research assistant and pursuing a PhD?

The speaker explains that she tries to balance her time by working on her research assistant tasks one day a week and dedicating the remaining days to her personal research projects. However, unexpected factors like supervisor or reviewer comments can impact the timeline.

Q: What kind of research is the speaker currently working on?

The speaker is currently working on multiple projects, including a manuscript on cannabis, a meta-analysis on trauma, and another manuscript utilizing health record data. She shares the progress she has made and the stage each project is at.

Q: How does the speaker balance her academic pursuits with her personal hobbies and social life?

The speaker emphasizes the importance of finding a balance between work, hobbies, and social life. She mentions that she enjoys creating YouTube videos, spending time with family and friends, engaging in creative activities like painting and knitting, cooking, exercising, and playing musical instruments.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The speaker discusses her academic pursuits outside of her research assistant role, including working on multiple manuscripts about cannabis and trauma, as well as contributing to a mental health app.

• She emphasizes the importance of unpaid research experiences and the skills gained from them.

• The video also touches on the speaker's non-academic hobbies, such as creating YouTube videos, spending time with family and friends, engaging in creative activities like painting and knitting, cooking, exercising, and playing musical instruments.