If PhD were a sport, it would be more comparable to a marathon than a sprint. A PhD tenure typically lasts at least three years, and often more. As a PhD student, most of you experience the pressure to put in long hours at work to increase productivity and keep up with ever-evolving research fields. As a result, you might often neglect both physical and emotional health, which is detrimental to your productivity and can even result in a burnout. However, more than just focusing on finishing projects one after the other, look at it as a PhD life experience. It is a fantastic opportunity to grow holistically as a person, follow lifelong interests, or find new perspectives to enrich one’s life. To stay productive and make your PhD experience a sustainable one, it is essential to carve out time for socializing, establishing a support network, and taking care of your well-being without feeling overwhelmed. Here are a few tips to maintain a healthy work-life balance and maximize your life experience during your PhD journey:
- Bring structure to your PhD like a regular job: The PhD experience often lacks a firm schedule or structure. Take charge and make your own work structure so you can work more efficiently – not constantly. Plan and organize your work to take time out for activities that interest you, e.g., sports, hobbies, exercise/meditation or just spending time with your friends. As long as you are working regularly each week, you can keep a few hours for social activities that add to your PhD life experience, both practically and mentally.
- Create a life outside of work: Although your lab group is like your family, it is beneficial for your mental health to be able to occasionally take a break from work and engage in non-academic pursuits that fascinate you. The PhD life experience comes with its own ups and downs, much like a roller-coaster ride. The ability to switch between work and other pursuits, which build your social network, is helpful when you need a backup plan or a way to relax.
- Take off on weekends and go for holidays: Your life experience during a PhD typically involves working for extended periods of time without a break, but it is essential to give yourself time to recharge your batteries so that you can begin afresh. Take some time off on the weekends to rejuvenate or figure out how you will spend the holidays, then return to your work refreshed.
- Socialize with your lab group and other colleagues: One great way to gain advice and assistance, both regarding your work and your life experience as a PhD student in general, is to talk about your study with colleagues or other members of your group. Not only does this social exchange help you better your research, it also helps you build long-lasting friendships.
- Attend and participate in departmental seminars and events: Attending seminars and events hosted by your department is the simplest method to get to know your coworkers and establish professional connections. Being present for talks and taking part in the subsequent discussion sessions often opens one’s eyes to new research possibilities and career opportunities, and this is especially true even when the subject matter is not your area of research. It is entirely up to you to decide which of the events you want to prioritize attending in order to keep your regular work schedule unaffected.
- Join student run clubs and societies: Make the most of student-run organizations and societies at your institute and university; it is a great way to expose yourself to a variety of new experiences and make connections with individuals who share your interests. There are several online organizations that have been developed specifically to assist young researchers in better managing their PhD life experience.
- Go to conferences and present your research: It can sound scary, in the beginning, but gets easier as you practice. Travelling to conferences and presenting your work to a broader research community can be a great confidence booster. It helps in professional networking which is key to maximize your life experience during the PhD journey. Add a few days off to the end of the trip, if possible, to make it a memorable event during your PhD experience!
Maintaining a healthy work-life balance is vital for your physical and mental health when you are pursuing a doctoral degree. You will be in a better position to deal with challenges in your life if you are able to spend more time engaging in the activities you love. Making time for activities outside of work can also help you ignite your creative fire and come up with out-of-the-box ideas. As a result of all of this, not only will you become a more productive researcher but also one who is more dependable, healthier, and happier.
