#the phd diaries

[lottiestudying]

19.02.2025—studying in bed re-watching the handmaids tale

[homosekularnost]

between the terrifying solicitor and the ex-combat squad member who has killed people i am slightly obsessed with what martha wells is telling us about ratthis type

[thesecrethistori-an]

Ugly, quick class notes (above) Vs organised chaos of a quick brainstorming before bedtime (below)

[skwpr]

Incredibly Healthy Habits For Students

The most commonplace advice on good habits for students. This crucial component of a healthy relationship is not to be overlooked.

1. Don’t over-stuff your backpack.

Unless a professor tells the class to bring a textbook – keep that thing at home/in your dorm. Also, try not to carry too much with you anyway. At most I have a spiral or two, my computer. It’s not only unnecessary, but it’s heavy. It wears you down over time just adding stress and annoyance that you don’t need.

2. Work out every week.

Finding time to run a mile or two, play some basketball, or lift weights is important. It was a huge stress reliever for me and it also made me happier.

3. Stop Putting Things Off.

You know you should be finishing homework instead of going out every night. The crazy thing is, we ALL KNOW what we should be doing. But a lot of us still don’t get anything done. I’m in awe of the number of times I have put off studying or reading. However, every time I come to the simple conclusion that getting it done in the beginning is waaaaaay easier than trying to finish the task later.

4. Socialize.

Involvement in college is a spectrum. One extreme includes hobbits who stay in their dorm or apartment all day and the other includes social butterflies who are out on the town every night having fun with friends. Your goal is to find a happy medium. You don’t want to be closed off but you also want to interact with people every once in a while.

For me, this was the hardest part. I do not like to make acquaintances, but for myself I decided that it would be useful. I stepped out of my comfort zone.

5. Eat Healthier.

This is the most predictable advice I can give you. What you put in your body matters.

6. Drink more water.

Drinking water is one of the most essential healthy habits for students.

7. Know When To Say NO.

If you get your work done first, you will have time to have fun without any grief or regrets.

The most important relationship you make in your life is with yourself. It’s genuinely all a mind game. You have to learn to trust yourself by putting yourself first so that you can enjoy what life has to offer you. Having fun with this grey cloud of regret and worry about work you haven’t finished is just not fun at all. So have fun and be yourself but learn when to say NO. You’ll be forever grateful you did in the long run.

8. Give Yourself Grace.

One of the biggest downfalls for me was stressing out. Stressing over school work, time management, boys, networking, and the list goes on. It’s important to shut all the negative voices out.

There’s only one you so treat yourself with respect. If there are things you need to fix, make a plan and make it happen. If that fails, adjust the plan. No one is perfect and I wish we would collectively tell ourselves it’s going to be ok. Because it will be!

[sentientglue]

attempting to romanticise my silly little academic side quest to articulate the pursuit of a single original thought (writing a phd research proposal)

[archaealice]

Had a workshop in Athens with my lab and got to visit the Akropolis on our last day

[bouquetofgemstones]

4.2.2025: We had a gloriously sunny winter morning today. The majority of the day was spent editing the article. And by editing, I mean I didn't write a single sentence. The main part I need to rewrite is the first paragraph of the introduction, which is also the part I find the hardest. I just don't understand how to start articles. But that's okay, I've now highlighted all of the parts that will need to be reworded and I think I also managed to figure out what I want the first paragraph to be about. I now just need to put that into words.

Listened to: Debussy, Satie, Tchaikovsky

[moltes-musings]

PhD day 917 | I'd just gotten that spring feeling before another round of winter hit. Hope my cozy office nook can carry me through these readings.

[doppelgangerleaverite]

guys i just had a zoom interview w two professors who are interested in possibly taking me on for a phd. it was a rly good call i liked both of them a lot! n their work is super interesting, it's biogeochem on the marine floor looking at sediment and diagenesis (that's the process of sediment turning into rocks) and one of them develops 2d sensors for characterizing sediment content

[re--laaaaaxer]

At the rate I am going right now, I am about 65% in with my thesis progress. Maybe? Or not; I'm really trying my hardest here. It has been stressful recently. I met with my supervisor a couple of weeks ago, and she told me that I could actually finish my thesis and send it ALL in, like everything, from chapter 1 to chapter 6, by this coming December. If that doesn't scream out stressed-out-of-my-mind from peer pressure and anxiety, I don't know what does.

And so, I'm currently jammed in. My head is a bit scrambled, but a little notetaking and a 4-second slow inhale, holding it in and exhaling, will do the trick. All hope is not yet lost. If you ask me, it was never lost in the first place. With the right kind of determination, you only need to know where to find it at the right time and place.

We can do this, guys. Seriously, we can do it. ✊

[macdenlover]

watching this play out over the last couple of years has been incredible

[lottiestudying]

19.02.2025—i understand studying in bed is frowned upon, but if it works for you, go right ahead. studying should make you feel safe and comfortable, and if you feel safe and comfortable from your bed, study there. even just for 10 minutes

[homosekularnost]

[thesecrethistori-an]

PhD Day 17: last night I sent a *risky text* (I was a bit delayed finishing an assignment for my grant proposal and had to admit I'm a bit lost when it comes to sourcing materials) and my supervisor had already replied this morning. One thing I definitely have to learn is to ask for help when I'm unable to figure shit out on my own.

Anyways today I'm going on a trip (when I scheduled it I had no clue that October would be such a busy month) and I'm going to have to pull loonnng nights if I want to meet my deadline

[skwpr]

🔆📝 HOW TO KEEP YOUR LIFE ORGANIZED 📝🔆

1. The 3 most important tasks. Write down the top 3 tasks you need to do during the day. Start your day with them, and then you won't have another day where you've managed the small things and there's no time left for the important things.

2. Make a task list. Every morning, make a list of tasks that you need to do during the day. This list will help you stay on top of your scheduled to-do's and make you more organized.

3. Do only one thing at a time. When you focus on just one thing, the work progresses a lot better than if you do several things at once, jumping from one thing to another.

4. Do it now. If something needs to be done, do it right now. Don't put it off for a minute, because then you'll find other reasons why that action needs to be postponed or not done at all.

5. Clear your workspace.Remove from your field of vision all unnecessary and superfluous things that can distract you.

6. Simplify, simplify, simplify! Find methods to simplify your actions so you can get your things done in less time with less effort.

7. Keep things in order. You don't want to throw things around your apartment or office. Put each thing in its place and then you will not need to spend time looking for them.

8. Sign up for a time planning service. Nowadays, there are many different services on the internet that help you plan and do what you have planned. You will be able to keep your to-do lists under control, work on them through your phone, get reminders on your phone or e-mail and more.

9. Examine your daily routine.Analyze your days. What takes up the most of your time, what you are often distracted by, what activities do little good. Try to remove habits from your life that interfere with your life.

10. Add color. Those who like to work with different colors can try creating a to-do list in different colors so you can see important to-do's at a glance.

11. Let others do.Some to-do's are worth delegating to other people (work or home).

12. Be positive.If you are not able to make your life organized in one day, you should not despair. Try, try, try and you will see that you and your life will start to change.

13. Set goals. It helps a lot to speed up the process of work if you clearly see the end goal you are moving towards.

14. Set a deadline.Understanding that you have a definite time limit on a task, you will be less distracted and relaxed.

15. Encourage yourself. When you finish some hard work, an important task or some project, then do something nice for yourself, maybe even celebrate the event. Positive emotions will help you in the future and make life more joyful.

[venrain]

phd day 100 reflections: first quarter complete

i think there's a lot of negative content surrounding graduate school & the phd...and while i am a first-year (and thus naive and bright-eyed and bushy-tailed), i feel like committing to a phd has been the best decision of my life. it was extremely scary to make the choice due to the negativity you see online - phd students are often poorly paid, unappreciated, and generally exploited - which I cannot deny. but i think multiple realities can be true at once, and my other reality is that every day i wake up passionate and excited to learn new things and do research. i am surrounded by intelligent, curious people who are thrilled to be here (mega nerds), and i have met all sorts of wonderful folks (academia attracts some crazy interesting people). ive had tons of paid travel opportunities (australia, europe, multiple cities across the US). i have the privilege of mentoring all sorts of bright and engaged undergraduates. im lucky to have a great lab and great mentors. currently, im in the middle of finishing up a conference paper for one of my qualitative studies, and it's hard to articulate how much joy i derive from the slog of academic writing - saying that in real life makes me sound insane, which is why im posting here and not elsewhere lol. someone called me a real life hermione granger recently - i was extremely honored. the phd isn't for everyone, but for those on the fence (and are nervous about all the fear/anxiety surrounding such a serious commitment), i want you to know that there are tons of people out there who love it and love their work but may not be sharing it online. it varies - it is very important to find the right place (the right university, and most importantly, the right advisor). because for some of us, this is exactly where we belong.