As with anything, the key to a healthy PhD is an effective work-life balance. It is important to take pauses and breaks during your PhD to avoid burnout and so that you can enjoy what you do rather than viewing it as a liability. Manpreet Kaur discusses how she sprinkles breaks in her weeks and months.
Life as a researcher can be very hectic with long hours in the library or the laboratory. And after all that hard and tiring work it can be all too easy to reach for the takeaway menu or the ready meal. But Giles Penman discusses his experiences of cooking to relieve stress and promote health and wellbeing.
It is useful to have something creative outside of work to turn to when you want to enjoy downtime and relax and recharge. Manpreet Kaur discusses here how writing and sharing poetry has been one of her favourite go-to hobbies since her days at school.
Lockdowns and social restrictions over the past year because of the COVID-19 pandemic have been very isolating, particularly so for postgraduate researchers who often spend long periods alone studying at home. But Giles Penman discusses his positive experiences of looking after a pet while studying for his PhD.
The winter with its cold and bleak weather was hard amid the lockdown. But now, finally, the weather is becoming brighter, and spring is in the air. Giles Penman discusses his positive experiences of enjoying walking and photography in the sunshine.
While you may want to keep your head down and eyes focused on your research, blogger Ellie King talks about the benefits of becoming a rounded researcher, and some top tips on where to start.
Over the past few months, we have been stuck inside for long periods, often by ourselves. We have not been able to visit galleries or attend art classes. Lockdown has been tough without many creative outlets. But Giles Penman presents an artistic solution at an upcoming virtual OnTrack session.
Ever worry about how much work you’re putting into your research? About how much progress you’re making? Blogger Ellie King reflects on her experiences with her work-ethic being both her friend and enemy.
Struggle to stop procrastinating? Find yourself constantly scrolling through Twitter when you should really be working? If you want to get focused and keep concentrating, blogger Ellie has put together a list of the best websites and apps for just that.
The past few weeks in lockdown have been very hard. We are on lockdown inside. The weather is poor outside. And the libraries, cafes, cinemas, bars and restaurants are all closed because of the lockdown. Giles Penman offers a possible activity to brighten our moods at this challenging time.
One thing I really struggled with at the start of my PhD was a big question: am I making enough progress?
Originally published on 4 May 2016.
A PhD can feel like backbreaking work sometimes, but it shouldn’t leave you in agony. How can you avoid aches and pains when working from the (dis)comfort of your home? Sky Herington shares some tips on quick and easy ways to improve your home-working set-up without spending a fortune.
Yes, it is hard to deal with lack of motivation. You might feel this only goes to prove you are not cut out for PhD, you might feel you are letting down your supervisors, your funders, yourself …. But try to stop yourself there.
Originally posted on February 8th, 2017
Do you ever feel like a cat stuck in a tree? Dr Karen Sutherland is here to calm your nerves and tell you exactly, and honestly, how she felt before earning that title before her name…
originally posted on August 2, 2017.
Everyone in the Western Christian world is now wishing each other Happy Holidays. Whether you believe it or not, it is part of many people’s lives and it influences our calendar year. But how is it to spend Christmas in the southern hemisphere, where signs saying Let It Snow abound but the temperature is reaching 40 celsius? Our blog editor, who is currently back home in Brazil, shares her views about melting on Christmas and the breaks we all need to take sometimes.
Exploring the emotional processes involved in both being and becoming academic
Musings of a nutty professor in the making
molding Research in the mainstream
Because there's always room for improvement
The evolving tale of my PhD as it happens
physio.phdstudent.daydreamer
Language, Digital Media and the Family
