PhD Exams Considerations
It’s good to be back!
If you are anything like me, you have spent the last few weeks cramming for exams, staying up late to finish readings, and maybe even pulling an all-nighter or two. But now that it is (finally) over, what should you do with all of this newfound free time? Here are a few suggestions…
1) Get some sleep: You probably haven’t slept well in months, so take advantage of your newfound free time and catch up on some much needed Z’s.
2) Treat yourself: Whether it’s going out to eat at your favorite restaurant, taking a trip to the spa, or just buying yourself a new book, do something to reward yourself for all of your hard work.
3) Take some time for you: Now that you have some free time, use it to do things you want. Maybe there’s a hobby you’ve been wanting to start, or a place you’ve been wanting to visit – now is a perfect time!
After months of stress and late nights studying, I know adjusting to having some free time again can be tough. But hopefully these suggestions will help make the transition a little bit easier. Congratulations on making it through exams – enjoy your well-deserved break!
It's okay to take a break.
After a long break from Ph.D. exams, it is essential to ease back into the work groove. To do this, I like to engage in hot yoga and other mindfulness practices; this helps me stay centered and re-adjust quickly. It is also important to avoid stressors that could derail my focus. For example, cannabis may be a tempting option to decrease tension levels, but ultimately it can inhibit productivity in the long run so I recommend staying away from it for better success with workflow. Ultimately, taking a break is completely okay-- and even beneficial-- when done right!
You're not alone
Coming back from a long break after Ph.D. exams can be overwhelming. But you’re not alone in this journey - who on your team? Seek out solidarity, find others whose challenges mirror yours, and take solace in knowing that everyone goes through it. Whether you do an internet search for similar forums or decide to talk with someone close to you - the only important thing is that you don’t go through this alone. Life isn’t made any easier just because we stumble, but together we can progress on the path forward.
Get organized
After a long break for Ph.D. exams, it's time to get organized! Throwing yourself back into the swing of things shouldn't be too hard when you've got EndNote around; it will help functionally and mentally get your workflow going. EndNote allows you to keep all those references in one place, saving you the frustration of trying to find that perfect citation. Additionally, review your coursework so far – this will give you an idea of where you need to focus your energy and kickstart that much-needed motivation to tackle any remaining challenges.
Don't procrastinate
Now that you’re back from a much-needed break after your Ph.D. exams, it might be easy to fall into procrastination. Stay alert, and be aware of how the passage of time makes achieving those goals seem harder and harder - making procrastination become an evil companion. But worry not! Stay gentle in the process; being kind to yourself when aiming for progress recreates self-motivation so that it becomes easier and more powerful than laziness. Don't give in to procrastination; create opportunities as you go!
Take care of yourself.
After a long break, it can be quite tempting for you to jump right back into the thick of it with your dissertation. You are more than capable of meeting that challenge. However, it’s important also to take a moment to assess what you need and make sure that you allow yourself the time and space to stay calm and rest. You still have quite a journey ahead of you with your dissertation, and taking care of yourself is essential if you want to enjoy the process. So relax, take some deep breaths, and allow yourself to flow instead of burrowing deeper into the chaos too soon. You got this!
In the end, it’s totally up to you to decide whether you take a break or not. Re-entering workflow after a long break can be tough, but with some organization and self-care, you will find yourself back on track in no time! The organization is vital for success since it helps prioritize tasks and makes sure nothing gets forgotten. It also eliminates clutter from your head, helping reduce stress from everyday life. Lastly, don’t forget to take care of yourself both mentally and physically. Taking the necessary breaks to recharge, reflect and appreciate the little things around us is important. Mattew McConaughey once said, “As life goes on, things get more complicated — if you prepare and arm yourself with the right tools, then you can handle anything that comes your way - so stay focused...stay wise." So here is my call to action: Self-care is key to success! Make sure that you take time to relax and rejuvenate throughout your journey. You have what it takes to make it, so stay focused and positive! Good luck!