I grew up in rural Namibia and didn’t become acquainted with technology until my senior year of high school. One of my teachers told us to go to the computer lab to apply to universities, assuming that we were all tech-savvy, but I had never been near a computer. That experience of sitting in front of a computer and not knowing how to use it led me where I am today.
After finishing undergraduate studies and working in central banking for over a decade, including various IT roles, I began a PhD. This journey has been one of the most difficult, terrifying, and rewarding endeavours of my life to date, and I learned a lot.
If you are contemplating or currently working on a PhD, then these tips are for you.
Savour the highs and back yourself
I’ve discovered that when I’m at my best, working on my PhD can be an enormous boost to my confidence. Sharing and receiving feedback on my work from scholars at international conferences helped to strengthen my conviction that I can complete this undertaking.
It’s helpful to keep that feeling tucked away, for the times when your confidence dips and you feel that nothing is connecting – that’s when self-doubt can occasionally take over. Remember that it’s normal to sometimes think, “I don’t think I can do this. I should just give up”. Even with positive feedback from my supervisors and peers, I sometimes still doubted the worthiness of my PhD ideas, and I’m glad I had the great experiences to keep me going.
Take guilt-free breaks and get outside
The following is ironic, given my research is around the context of personal productivity and wellbeing. For a while, particularly during the Covid-19 lockdowns and protests, the isolation had a significant impact on my mental health, and contributing to this was the fact that I was constantly buried in my work, reading papers day after day. This was obviously not good for me. I was always stressed out and despite working the majority of the time, I wasn’t being productive. The anxiety spiralled, and taking a break only made me feel guilty.
I now take a few hours each day to do other things that I enjoy. In my spare time, which I have found is so important, I enjoy hiking, running, and I also do some volunteer work. And New Zealand is a traveller’s paradise. So, when I have the time, I enjoy taking some vacation time and exploring the country. It gives my brain a chance to have a break, and I can return to work feeling refreshed. I am also loving Wellington. I may never understand its weather, but I feel safe here, and the coffee is excellent!
Take care of yourself – all the way through
PhD life can be full-on. In my case, the intensity of the research meant that I neglected self-care, sometimes allowing self-doubt to take over. In addition to taking proper breaks, it is so important to get enough sleep, spend time with others and let your brain think about other things sometimes. Your research will thank you for it. I have learned the hard way that you should prioritise self-care from before Day 1, and it will make a huge difference to your overall wellbeing on your doctoral journey.
Make sure you have a strong support system
One of my biggest pieces of advice to any fellow PhD or future PhD students: lean on your community. Your supervisor, peers, academic staff and faculty staff are a vital network, and they are there to help. Keep in touch with your friends and family, and make time to see them where you can. I learned first-hand that the research and writing process can be hugely challenging and the University has support services available to help, from counselling to academic support. You can also join the Postgraduate Students’ Association or other clubs that can help you broaden your peer group and social experiences.
Doing a PhD is a life-changing experience. As I continue my work, I feel excited about what the future might hold, and I believe there will be many opportunities linked to the research work that I am doing.
My number one piece of advice is to make the most of this amazing journey – prioritise self-care and make sure you have a strong support system.