The other day, my friend suggested I write a short blog about my PhD journey and share some of the opportunities and challenges I encountered along the way. First, I wasn’t sure how to fit some of the most transformational experiences of these years in a “short” blog—but after all, isn’t one purpose of writing to summarize the key points of your findings? (By the way, that’s one of the most valuable lessons you learn in your first graduate research course, and it’s a good one). So I decided to reflect on some of these experiences and focus on those that truly contributed to my shift in academic perspective and self-realization.
I had to go back in time, starting with my first application to the SFU Educational Psychology program and tracing that all the way to thesis completion and graduation. The more I thought about these stages and the events in between, the more I realized the significance of “mindful decision-making” and its contribution to success and happiness.
But what is a mindful decision? I define it as a decision based on the honest information you have about yourself, your situation, and your life conditions. The more self-aware and self-conscious you are, the more informed decisions you can make. For example, informed decisions about pursuing a PhD can easily be made through self-inquiry questions such as—why am I applying for this program (whatever it is)? How am I planning to do it? How can I engage in various research programs after, and why? Can I work independently? Can I stay motivated when things go out of control? And so on. Basically, you need to be reflective and always think about your thinking—something we refer to as “metacognitive thinking” in educational psychology.
From the very beginning, you need to know why you want to get a PhD and how you are planning to achieve your goal(s). As simple as it sounds, many people do not know whether getting a doctoral degree is the right decision for them. They may want to do it just because it makes them look smart. You’re probably laughing right now but believe me—it’s true. Therefore, even before entering a PhD program, reflecting on the three elements of motivation, interest, and purpose is probably the most crucial step in your decision-making process.
Information from previous students in the field can also be excellent for assistance and guidance. Some previous PhD students’ experiences greatly helped me in preparing for the later stages of the program. For example, one piece of advice—“Heads up! No one’s going to provide constant encouragement and motivation to support you with your work”—was useful information as it allowed me to revise my expectations and focus on self-motivation by setting practical goals, connecting with a higher purpose, reflecting on my strategies, and rewarding myself. Although I received a lot of support from my supervisor for most academic issues that came along the way, for much of my academic planning such as seeking answers to questions of why, how, and when to do things, I was on my own.
Teaming up with knowledgeable and supportive friends and collaborating with them also made my academic journey highly engaging, productive, and fun. A PhD journey is not supposed to be isolated and miserable, full of nothing but challenges, stress, and struggles. You can find people with similar passions and visions and work together. In fact, the feeling of unity and teamwork can be quite inspiring.
That said, you might feel lost and frustrated once in a while. There are always unexpected challenges along this journey—ones you never imagined before. For example, you may work hard to write a research paper, finish it on time, and passionately submit it to your favourite conference. After a few months, your paper gets accepted, and you excitedly contact the Graduate Studies Office to ask for conference travel funding . . . only to receive a message saying there is no funding available for graduate student conference travel, and wishing you good luck.
Let me tell you, it’s not easy to stay positive and motivated under those circumstances. You had dreams before getting into the program. You had one big goal, and that was to immerse yourself in the world of knowledge and inquiry. You wanted to learn, share your knowledge, and make the world a better place. You were excited to discuss your research findings with other professionals in the field and exchange ideas with them.
What do you do when facing barriers like lack of conference travel funding? (1) Acknowledge your anger and frustration, (2) breathe deeply, and (3) speak up. And never, ever give up on your dreams, no matter how hard things get. Find a way. Stay focused and motivated. And most importantly, believe in yourself.
“If you hear a voice within you say, ‘you cannot paint,’ then by all means paint, and that voice will be silenced.” – Vincent van Gogh
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