Why you ask? Because of the amount I went through to get to this point. I faced one full year of sheer negativity (May 2011 - May 2012) where I was questioning if research was right for me and if I really wanted to stay in graduate school. In addition to the obvious productivity lost, it runs down other things like confidence, happiness, positive energy around friends and family, ability to network, and basic communication with anyone else.
Luckily, I had enough people in my life who cared. I will never forget who was there for me at my worst, giving me advice, listening to me complain, and being concerned for my happiness. I must say, thank you from the bottom of my heart. I finally made it out the other side.
From May until today, I was fighting hard to prove to myself that I deserve to do research and be a graduate student. I think I finally did that. Yes, the humbling times will continue. But now I'm not questioning my existence as a graduate student, but how to improve.
In addition to fighting, I learned from my mistakes. Here are a few things that I wish I would have read (and trusted) earlier in graduate school:
1. If a project just isn't gelling with you, move on.
Let go of unfinished business. No matter how much you like to check off items on your list, it's just as important to identify when to remove all of those items and add better tasks.
Over the span of two years, I spent time on a project on and off that was going nowhere and I finally got the courage to drop it in June. Over the summer, I finished my project I will be presenting tomorrow. It's amazing how excitement for a project can change your productivity.
2. Take a break if you really need it.
Interning at Google this past winter was a necessity. I cannot thank enough the positive people I worked with at Google for making my job something I was excited to wake up for. It gave me extra motivation to continue in Accessibility research back at UW. Being gone for 3 months gave me the realization that I missed the program, and there was hope for me continuing.
3. Talk to many people, inside and outside of the department. Definitely complain if you need to, but not always.
I don't think I need to say a whole lot here. First, it is a good idea to discover that you aren't alone. If you trust yourself enough to admit your faults, you will be surprised to discover others that are willing to admit the same.
In addition, I spoke with people who I consider successful: those who stayed in grad school and those who decided that another career path was better for them. This helped give me piece of mind that regardless of which decision I made there was hope.
In addition, I spoke with people who I consider successful: those who stayed in grad school and those who decided that another career path was better for them. This helped give me piece of mind that regardless of which decision I made there was hope.
4. Don't be so hard on yourself.
Who cares how many awards, fellowships, good grades, successes, blah blah blah you had in undergrad? You are human, you will make mistakes, even very stupid mistakes. People will understand.
One big mistake I made was expecting so much out of myself. I believe that the pressure made me sink and I wound up not getting much done, other than getting sick and upset. Sleep enough, work on your terms and hours regardless of what others do, and do those extra little things to make yourself happy.
One big mistake I made was expecting so much out of myself. I believe that the pressure made me sink and I wound up not getting much done, other than getting sick and upset. Sleep enough, work on your terms and hours regardless of what others do, and do those extra little things to make yourself happy.
5. Surround yourself with positive people.
Grad school can cause plenty of stress as it is, don't allow for people to add to the burden. I have become comfortable with the people I associate myself with, and it has been a blessing. When I say positive, I don't mean grinning faces 24/7. I mean they unconditionally care about you, and will always be there when you need them the most.
Good-bye "pre-quals slump" :D And as long as I can help it, no more slumps for a while!
