I'm just over one year into my PhD and here are some of the key things I've learned.
1. It's a marathon, not a sprint.
I started this PhD knowing that over-working is not going to be sustainable. I overworked in my undergraduate as I had a side job and all the time I had left I used to catch up with work, leaving very little time to myself. I know I need to have my ally time. I need to do creative and fun things with friends and on my own in order to find balance and to recharge. I made a decision at the beginning of my PhD that I would generally work 9-5. If I'm being completely honest, I haven't done this. But not in the way you might expect. A PhD is a job, and because it can be so flexible, it can really be great for finding a schedule that works for you: outside PhD activities, travel time to lab, working from home, life admin, and working around events and holidays. But, last year, I fell into the trap and took advantage of this.
I actually under-worked last year. I found it really hard being in the lab and honestly, quite lonely. I have an office mostly to myself which can be great when I need to smash a lot of work out, but other times very isolating and resulted in a lot of social anxiety. So I tended to avoid it. This year I have realised that being in the lab is really good for my work ethic, and when I do socialise, it's always really nice. I have started the new year with the goal of going in 2-3 times a week, and recently I've been in most days of the week - I've already seen an improvement in my productivity. It's far too easy to fall into a loop of scrolling through casting calls at work when know one is in. So, in addition to this rule and to better balance my film and PhD work, I have promised myself that all film related admin would be done outside of 9-5 working hours and if I take any days outside of the PhD to film, they must be replaced over the weekends!! So I don't work weekends unless I have used days in the week to do other things.
I feel this way I can do all the things I want to do in my 20s without over working myself and still getting enough work done to (hopefully) finish the PhD on time.
Basically, don't worry about the hares, be a turtle.
2. Don't compare yourself to other people.
This is something that everyone does and will always do but we need to hold ourself and our brain accountable for when it compares our own grass to others, because it can feel really shit, so you should actively work to avoid doing that. We all subconsciously compare ourselves to others, but we need to be aware of when it becomes harmful, and make sure you immediately stop and re-wire yourself to be proud/grateful for that person without making it about you and your downfalls. This was hard for me, thinking of people who have already got papers published or been to conferences. I couldn't help feel like I wasn't doing enough or for some reason I was getting behind. But the truth is, every PhD, project, career even, is so different, I needed to realise that I'm working at my own pace, and I will get there eventually. It is also important to remember that everyone has different circumstances in life and you can only ever do your best with what you are given.
This being said, sometimes it can be the case where I am personally not doing enough work, or am struggling a bit more. But thats also OK. It's normal to let life get in the way, have ups and downs, and this will inevitably effect your work. There will always be things that we need to prioritise over work, and sometimes a reality check on when to focus again on the PhD. One thing I really struggled with at university in my undergraduate was the lack of time I had for my exams because of my side job to support myself financially. I was so envious of everyone else who had their whole day dedicated to studying. But I made that up in my head. I had no idea what everyone else had going on.
So really, theres no point thinking about other people. It's best to focus on what you do have and work with what you've got. Everyone is on their own journey and have different personal circumstances. The grass is greener where it's watered.
3. Problems are like weeds. Patience is everything.
You'll spend two weeks stuck on one problem and as soon as its solved another one will pop up and you'll likely spend another two weeks on it. Becoming comfortable with this is something all PhD students will have to learn. It can be really hard to not get bogged down and upset about a problem still not being resolved even weeks later. I really struggled a lot in my first year when things took longer to fix or figure out than I expected, but you get used to it and its important to remember this is a normal part of doing a PhD.
Stay grounded and focused. You got this.
4. Work-life balance is key
As I mentioned before, this can be particularly challenging with a PhD as there are no dedicated working hours. I've learned that sticking to 9-5 is vital - if I put in the hours, then I've done my time for work, and the rest is for me, guilt free!
I use this time for something non-academic, like blogging, Taekwan-do, filming, acting workshops, seeing friends, swimming or just catching a movie.
5. Nothing worth doing is ever easy
I feel like anyone in STEM knows what I'm going to say here. Doing these types of subjects you are constantly learning new and difficult concepts and it can take a while for them to click. Before they do click, you're going to feel really dumb.
But I'm here to say, you're not dumb. It's just really hard stuff. Everyone feels it, and if they say they don't they're lying and don't trust them.
After years and years of pursuing physics, I'm pretty used to this feeling, but that doesn't make it easy. Especially when people ask me pretty basic astrophysics or physics questions and I can't give them an insightful answer. The truth is, there's always going to be stuff you don't know. Even if you spent three months or three years studying it. It's likely you will forget it.
Someone very wise once told me, physics isn't about knowing everything. It's about knowing where to look and find things out, and once you do, it's about having the right tools to understand it.
There will be times when you feel super dumb and wonder why you're here or if you're even capable. I'll just remind you that you are here because you earned it and you are more than capable of doing great things. You just gotta have faith and stick it out.
Summary:
1. It's a marathon, not a sprint.
2. Don't compare yourself to other people.
3. Problems are like weeds. Patience is everything.
4. Work-life balance is key
5. Nothing worth doing is ever easy