I wanted to do a picture story, but I can’t draw. So I used my friend chatGPT. And yeah, I know that might make you want to switch off, but the basic story underneath is from me and speaks to a few core ideas worth considering when setting off on a big academic journey.
I’m speaking today on a panel for HDR students who are setting off on a big academic journey: a PhD.
I did a PhD. A decent one, in fact. As much as I’d like to remember completing it effortlessly and without falter, the reality is that it was a messy process. And I didn’t do it alone.
Most people who have completed a PhD have advice for those about to start one. Some of that is probably just humble bragging that we survived, but there is good intention there too. We want to spare others some of the unnecessary challenges along the way.
For reference, a PhD is made up of necessary challenges – the ones from which we learn – and unnecessary challenges, which mostly just make life more annoying. Generally, we want to help people minimise the unnecessary ones.
I’m particularly fortunate because my role involves being asked for advice on a range of mental health and adjacent topics. This is fantastic, because I really enjoy telling people what to do. I enjoy not following my own advice even more 😂
Much of my advice about doing a PhD already lives in a dedicated self-care guide. Before you dismiss that as the ramblings of a narcissist, I should add that it isn’t simply a collection of random things I made up. It draws on other people’s experiences, conversations with students and supervisors, and even some published research.
I really enjoy being part of the HDR panel, which is held twice a year. It brings together students at different stages of their PhDs, and I get to hear about their fields of study, their experiences and the different ways they cope and adapt to the challenges.
I was initially going to use this post to summarise the things I usually say on the panel.
But I wanted to do something different.
So, I organised my notes into five core ideas and asked ChatGPT to illustrate them.
Thus, I present my first AI-assisted PhD advice picture story.
If you’re setting off on a big academic journey, there might be a few useful reminders here about making the experience as sustainable, rewarding and enjoyable as possible.
Or there might not be.
I make no promises about the therapeutic value of this picture story. I mostly wanted to see whether (with some assistance) I could make one.
And if you hate corny AI imagery (which I understand), this one may test you. But perhaps stick around for the ideas underneath it.
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Build a base you can return to
At the beginning, the most useful things can seem surprisingly ordinary: notice your time and energy, create a workable rhythm, and look after the basics. You are not designing the perfect day. You are designing days you can keep returning to.
Balance is something you practise
Balance does not mean giving everything equal time. It means learning when to focus and when to rest, keeping different parts of the project moving, and not asking your PhD to carry your whole life.
Look inward and reach outward
When the middle gets messy, pay attention to both your internal world and the people around you. Make room for difficult thoughts and feelings, keep moving toward what matters, and nurture relationships with supervisors, peers and mentors.
Expect some difficult travelling companions
Perfectionism and imposter thoughts often come along for the ride. Keep the healthy striving, but loosen impossible standards, soften the self-criticism, and remember that academic environments can amplify doubts about whether you belong.
Stop occasionally and take it in
There will be difficult stretches, but challenge is not the whole story. Pause occasionally to notice the ideas, people, discoveries, opportunities and moments of growth that are happening along the way. You are not merely getting through the journey; you are living it.