Tag Archives: study

Communicating in an Academic world: 101

It’s taken me almost two years to finally figure out how to respond to emails from those in the Academic world.  During the first year of my PhD, email correspondence was fraught with misunderstandings, bruised egos and then meetings to clear up the misunderstandings.  Email communication is tricky especially when you don’t know each otherContinue reading “Communicating in an Academic world: 101”

We have ALL experienced racism

With all this media hoopla lately on discrimination, I’ve been thinking a lot about my own situation. Upon deep self-reflection, I know for a fact that I’ve been treated differently because of who I am and how I look.   So who, may you ask, am I? I would say that I am a smallish whiteContinue reading “We have ALL experienced racism”

The second year slump: keeping motivated mid PhD

The first 14 months of my PhD were like a crazy rollercoaster that amazingly left me standing solidly at the end of the ride.  There were so many ups and down with moments of pure joy and immense concern.  Within this first year I was able to see two ethics applications approved, conducted four research projects,Continue reading “The second year slump: keeping motivated mid PhD”

Post data collection reflections

I can’t believe it’s been 4 weeks since I returned from Nepal.  In some ways it has gone so quickly with all the holiday festivities but then again it feels like a distant memory.  I have this slight anxious feeling in my chest that I’m going to forget all the amazing moments, feelings and storiesContinue reading “Post data collection reflections”

The magic of saying ‘oh, OK’

At the beginning of my PhD journey  I had the most amazing ideas for my research project.  A little naive and idealistic, I thought that everything would fall into place and I could fulfil my dreams.  As I started to plan my projects reality sunk in and I had to compromise on some of my ideas.Continue reading “The magic of saying ‘oh, OK’”

What doesn’t kill you makes a good story

I have now completed my first full year as a PhD student and wow… has it been a learning experience on so many levels. So many highs and lows, ups and downs, wins and losses. Looking back over the year I feel a small sense of pride that I have made it this far andContinue reading “What doesn’t kill you makes a good story”

Time for review and reflection

At my University, it’s that time of the year where PhD students meet for their Annual Performance Reviews.  While some of the paperwork may seem like an unnecessary time waster, it’s actually been a worthwhile task for me.  Sometimes it’s easy to get stuck down in the day-to-day grind making you feel like a mouse in aContinue reading “Time for review and reflection”

Riding the PhD rollercoaster

I know it’s been said before, that doing a PhD is like being on a  rollercoaster – so many highs and lows, ups and downs.  These moments of extreme can very easily happen in the same week, day or even hour.  This past week I was feeling very satisfied with myself, being able to checkContinue reading “Riding the PhD rollercoaster”