The motivation boost I've been needing! PHD WEEKLY VLOG | My PhD and Me | Summary and Q&A

TL;DR

A PhD student shares the excitement of publishing a paper and discovering a new compound, but also experiences productivity struggles and health issues.

Key Insights

• 😑 Collaboration is a crucial aspect of academic research, and the author expresses gratitude to their collaborators.
• 🪘 Publishing a paper is an exciting milestone for researchers and is the result of a long and often challenging process.
• 👶 Discovering new compounds is a primary objective in natural products research, and the author's success in solving the structure of a new compound is significant.
• 🧑‍⚕️ Productivity struggles and health issues can affect the progress of a PhD student's work, but finding ways to stay motivated and overcome obstacles is essential.
• 👨‍🔬 Writing a thesis is a complex and non-linear task, requiring patience, research, and careful organization.
• 😨 Taking time off and prioritizing self-care is crucial for maintaining mental and physical well-being during the stressful process of completing a PhD.
• ❓ The author's ability to adapt and make progress despite challenges demonstrates their resilience and determination.

Transcript

laughs hello good morning I am starting the Vlog on Tuesday with some very exciting news so the paper that I've been speaking about for quite a long time now is finally published so I will put the link down below I'm actually at the printer printing it off to show my lab colleagues and we have a wall where we put all of our papers so I'm going to p... Read More

Questions & Answers

Q: How long did it take the author to finish their paper?

It took the author and their team 12 months to complete the paper, but the effort paid off in the end.

Q: What type of compound did the author discover?

The author discovered a new compound from a marine invertebrate, which is a significant achievement in their field of natural products research.

Q: How does the author approach writing their thesis?

The author takes a non-linear approach, working on different chapters depending on their mood and progress. They prioritize experimental sections and find introductions challenging.

Q: How does the author deal with productivity struggles?

The author experienced a morning of paralyzing lack of motivation but managed to regain energy and accomplish a lot in the afternoon. They also struggle with guilt when taking time off but recognize the importance of self-care.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The author's paper has been published after a year of hard work and collaboration.

• They have successfully solved the structure of a new compound in their research.

• The author experiences a productive morning followed by health issues that affect their productivity.