How to do a PhD with minimal meltdowns.

I completed my PhD ahead of schedule and (to the untrained eye) with minimal meltdowns. Though meltdowns are a right of passage during a PhD, I thought I would compile some tips that kept everyone convinced I had it all under control. Disclaimer: you are free to have as many meltdowns as you want this is your journey.

• Evenings & weekends are a place of worship. It’s easy to get lost in the workload but the more hours you work the less productive you become in those hours. Have a scheduled start and finish time that you try not to stray from, have a lunch break preferably away from the desk. I’m a physio so I recommend walkies! 🐕. Make sure you have the weekend without working- give your brain a break- sometimes this might not be possible with deadlines but that should be a once ina blue moon situation.
• The P in PhD is for planning. Make sure you have an idea of timeliness, use a gant chart to help schedule activities. Prioritise tasks that can’t wait and need to be done that day.
• Structure, like the cheek bones you’ve always dreamed of. Write out the headings of your chapter(s) and sub headings and sub sub headings and sub sub sub headings (ok you get the idea). This way if you only have 30 minutes to write you will probably tick off even just a sub sub sub heading--and that’s still progress!
• Netflix and chill. Or anything and chill really. Find something that you know helps you unwind. I found exercising useful especially on tough days. When you want to do it the least is when you should do it the most.
• Don’t sweat the small stuff. Or the big stuff. Don’t worry about anything that is out of your control. You’re are one person you can’t have it all under control all the time. You are only responsible for how you react to the situation.
• Write early. Probably the most valuable advice I ever recieved was to start writing early. You will need to add or amend your thesis but being on top of writing will make you the smuggest PhD student in the world. The intro, literature review and methods more or less remain the same. You can add to them and as you have results add them in. There is nothing more demoralising than finishing all your studies and still having a whole thesis to write. There are plenty of opportunities in research where business is slow (waiting for ethics, between studies, while waiting for feedback etc) you can be getting ahead of the game by starting on the writing you will inevitably have to do.
• Never be tired of your own voice. Present your work wherever you can- internally, externally, to your mum, to your cat. It doesn’t matter the occaision- discussing your work is so helpful. It will help articulate your thoughts and the feedback will give you a different perspective when interpreting your results.
• Meet your mentors. Meet your mentors regularly. Monthly is probably appropriate (but depends on your circumstances). And even if theres not much to report, just 10 minutes to touch base will no doubt be helpful. Make a list after your discussion on what you said you were going to do.
• Find yourself. Sadly this isnt an eat pray love moment where you go to bali (unless you want it to be) but rather understanding how you work best. For me I like to set targets on recruitment or writing or whatever it may be. This gives me structure, but thats not for everyone. Figure out how you work best and go with that.
• You can never be overdressed or overeducated. Access all the training that is available to you (if its relevent of course). Each institution is different but training on managing projects and writing are routine and extremely helpful. Even if you think you already know it- developing as a researcher is part of the process and you will not have access to this much training again after so make the most of it!
• Finally, a PhD is hard. Make sure you have the right support system- at work, your mentors, your colleagues, at home. Everyone plays a key role in keeping you motivated, celebrating the good times and getting you through the bad times. Talk through your experiences with all of your support network.

Good luck to you all completing your PhD! I hope you find what works for you and enjoy the journey! You are no doubt smashing it.

@EnyaDaynesPT