Cozy thoughts for when times are hard | PhD Vlog 4

TL;DR

A PhD student shares her experiences of dealing with mental health challenges and finding ways to stay productive while pursuing her degree.

Transcript

hi everyone welcome back to my PhD Vlogs if you don't already know me my name is Morgan I'm doing my PhD in theater and performance studies in Toronto Ontario Canada and this is just a series where I take you into my life as I complete that process I am hoping to be done this year the goal that I set for myself back in September was to defend by th... Read More

Key Insights

• 🧑‍⚕️ Mental health plays a crucial role in a PhD student's productivity and confidence in engaging with their work.
• 🉑 Each individual's experience with their PhD journey can vary, and it is important to acknowledge and accept one's own unique experience.
• 💦 Finding a balance between leisure activities and academic work can be beneficial, as different mediums of storytelling can inform and inspire research.
• 🤳 Self-help books can provide support and guidance in managing personal struggles and maintaining motivation.
• 😨 Setting realistic goals and prioritizing self-care is essential for long-term success and well-being in a PhD program.
• 💍 Engaging in leisure activities with intention and purpose can contribute to personal growth and creativity.
• 🏑 Networking and connecting with peers in similar fields can offer valuable insights and recommendations for academic resources.

Questions & Answers

Q: How does the PhD student prioritize her mental health alongside her academic work?

The student is aware of the importance of being mentally healthy to engage effectively with her PhD work. She takes breaks when needed and chooses not to work on her PhD during periods of poor mental health.

Q: Does the student feel pressure to achieve specific goals each week?

The student acknowledges that setting specific goals and expectations for herself can sometimes lead to feelings of disappointment. As a result, she consciously avoids setting goals on certain days or weeks when she is not in the right mental space.

Q: How does the student find balance between leisure activities and PhD work?

The student believes that engaging in leisure activities like playing video games and watching movies or TV shows can be valuable in terms of learning and finding inspiration for her research. She emphasizes the importance of being present and intentional while indulging in these activities.

Q: Does the student find reading self-help books beneficial?

Yes, the student finds self-help books helpful and expresses her enthusiasm for the genre. She believes that these books provide valuable insights and reminders to support herself through difficult times.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The PhD student reflects on her progress towards her dissertation deadline and acknowledges that while she hasn't met all her goals, she has completed the first chapter.

• She discusses the impact of mental health on her ability to engage in her PhD work and highlights the importance of feeling confident and mentally healthy to be productive.

• The student outlines her plan for a productive day, which includes relaxing activities like playing video games and reading self-help and academic books relevant to her research.