This collaborative blog feature contributions from Rati, Marta, Amy and Timothy.

The journey of a PhD is long and full of ups and downs. At times, there comes a feeling of not progressing in work and it is natural to lose the motivation. Utlimately, it is important to acknowledge whatever small progress we make, whatever small achievements we have, take periodic breaks to rejuvinate and talk to fellow PhD students.

One thing I have found useful in avoiding the feeling of not progressing is to set small goals for each week like reading one paper per day or writing 500-1000 words in a week. Setting small and easy to achieve goals is very important. It imparts a sense of productivity and a sense of progress, however small.

Additionally, it’s important to make sure not to burn out mentally. A PhD is not a race, it’s a marathon, and it’s important to  remember this and maintain a good work-life balance. I usually try to maintain a regular schedule where I work with full focus on the weekdays and then take a proper break over the weekend. Lastly, one of the most important things I have discovered during my PhD is that everyone on this journey is in the same boat, and is going through the same situation. So it really helps to talk to other colleagues and friends in the cohort when I feel stuck.

Rati Sandeep Choudhari

For example, your research may not produce the results you were hoping for, or you need to modify your research methodology causing you to fall behind your project schedule. Add to this the stresses of having to balance work and social life. As a consequence, you might experience feelings of self-doubt, imposter syndrome, anxiety and lack of motivation. You are not alone.

Marta’s top tips

Here are some tips that I found really useful for reconnecting with myself and my research:

• Make sure you take some days off from work. We all have days when we are on top form and others when we just cannot seem to focus on the task at hand. It is totally normal, we are human!
• Break your research goals down into smaller tasks and set yourself some achievable deadlines. It’s easy to lose motivation when you have an endless to-do list.
• Be realistic about how long you will be able to concentrate. I use the Pomodoro technique which involves setting a timer during which there are no disruptions of any kind. At the end of that time, you take a short break. For example, 50 minutes of focus and 10 minutes of break.
• Talk with your supervisor about your concerns and share your experience with other PhD students. You will realise that you are not alone in experiencing these difficulties. Having a support system in place can have a significant impact on motivation levels during the course of a PhD journey.
• Be prepared to adapt your research plan as you go along. Stay flexible in your approach.
• Look after your mental health to avoid burnout and stay motivated. Having a set routine, either daily or weekly, with dedicated time for research and relaxation, can really help. Take the time to reconnect with your passion for sports and hobbies. Don’t feel guilty about investing time in something other than your research. Ultimately, taking time out will be really beneficial for your research.
• Celebrate your achievements, however big or small they may be. Make sure you treat yourself and bring some joy back into the journey.

Marta Zingale

Marta’s messages of positivity.

Amy’s quick-fire tips:

• Attend a relevant conference/seminar/programme – it can help revitalise and re-energise you;
• Reach out to someone studying a similar subject area or at a similar stage in their PhD for solidarity;
• Take a break (having a few days off can pay off massively in your health and writing!);
• Change task – getting stuck in your writing? Read that book you’ve been meaning to get round to;
• Read something by someone you admire at the top of their game to inspire you.

Amy Todd

If you cannot timely tackle this problem, you may end up with procrastination, lack of progress, forcing yourselves to extend your PhD, and eventually mental health problems. Hence, successful PhD students must find a way out and refuel themselves until they reach the finishing line.

The first thing I would recommend you to do is to build up a sense of accomplishment. By setting a dozen of short-term and easily achievable tasks, you can break down the PhD thesis into a more manageable project. Once it has been divided into different parts, it will be easier to gain progress, and, in turn, build up your confidence to keep working.

Next, it is necessary to take some rest and recover yourselves. Any person has a limit. No one can keep marching forward without becoming fatigued. Thus, it is reasonable to have some leisure time to replenish your energy, which has been heavily consumed by research.

Last but not least, a close company will be helpful in bringing motivation to you. They can be your supervisors, other PhD students, your family, and people outside of the university. Even though you are the only one who is responsible for your doctoral project, this does not mean you have to live completely on your own. If you are drained at a certain moment and feel you have to retreat from your project for a while, speak to someone you trust and seek help from others. You need not bear the entire emotional burden on your shoulders.

Timothy Cheuk Yin Chan

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