“The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.”
Sounds like a random motivational quote, right? But, what if I tell you that this is the only key to success for those who want to achieve their dreams. So, the main question is, HOW?
I had the same question in my mind too, but destiny had other plans for me. Like others, I had dreams too, to be known for something, but I had no idea from where to start. However, as they say “when there is a will, there is a way” and that’s where the realization and my journey started.
“I’m Xanders and I completed my Ph.D. in natural sciences from the University of Cambridge in 2020. It was a rollercoaster ride of how did I do it, but let me tell you my best experience. It was when my research paper got published and cited for the first time after 5 months of its publication. It got me a feeling that my research is benefitting the community; after all the self-doubts and criticism to get into academia, nothing was happier and winning than holding my Ph.D. certificate for the first time”.
Now, coming back to the topic. How did I find my passion for getting a Ph.D. in natural sciences?
As an avid nature lover, anything related to nature was of great interest to me. When kids my age were playing cricket, I used to wonder, why does a ball bounce back when it hits the ground? And in this curiosity, I found the concept of gravitational force. Having a curious mind and a habit of doing research has revealed many natural concepts to me at an early age, and that’s what led me to my passion and I found myself getting enrolled in the Ph.D. program.
To start something and to finish it off are two different tasks. Both can be daunting, but as they say “all is well that ends well” so was my case. But the struggles, I had to go through made me fall into a love-hate relationship with Ph.D.
If you’re in the same boat or about to get in, you need to make up your mind to take these bitter-sweet pills to reach your passion.
THE STRUGGLES OF Ph.D.
- Isolation and stress:
The fear of isolation and stress is very common among Ph.D. students because they have to work alone on their thesis. With deadlines flying at you like bullets, heaps of papers to proofread and submit, and having no one to get it done for you is like a cherry on top. But nothing is easy; all you can do is find a way for yourself to feel better. If I suggest, grab a cup of coffee with your grad buddies and talk about the weather or anything else than academics. After all, you don’t want to end your day by searching for “how to make friends” or “how to feel less lonely” on Google. Right?
- Conflict with your supervisor:
If you’re lucky enough to have an accommodating supervisor, your Ph.D. can become hell a lot easier. But more often, that’s not the case. Supervisors or advisors, are supposed to be guiding you. But what they do is add extra stress to all your worries. It feels like their job is to make your life hell by throwing tantrums and making you feel incompetent. So, you can either admire or despise him. Either way, you have no choice except to deal with him.
- Topic selection difficulty:
Choosing a topic for a dissertation can be tough. In my case, it was like finding a life partner, difficult but not impossible. After all, you have to live with it for a bit longer and you don’t want it boring, right? The only solution is to choose a topic that you’re passionate about, something that can hold your attention, and you’re eager to find out the answers to the particular subject. Still, if you’re unsure about the topic, you can always consult with your supervisor for better suggestions.
- Financial crisis:
Every good thing comes with its sacrifices; so is a Ph.D. Surviving through a financial crisis was a battle that I won by sacrificing a lot of good things. But, there is no problem without a solution, right? Due to lack of finance and being good at research, I took the opportunity to make money through my passion and started giving dissertation help to other students.
Final thoughts:
No matter, how difficult completing a Ph.D. is, it is an achievement that only a few people can get, embrace that. But, if you think you’re unable to get through these struggles, some experts can make your life easier by giving you a Ph.D. Research Proposal Writing Service. But, never give up on your dreams because it is the only key to success!
