The PhD Knowledge Base

Gardening

Dr. Max Lempriere

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Finding balance and routine in your PhD isn’t a one-time thing. It’s an ongoing process that requires careful, diligent maintenance.

Too often, we work hard to put in place healthy routines only for complacency to set in, causing us to let our guard down. Before we know it, we’re back to our old ways and much of the progress we’ve made has been undone.

But having a balanced PhD life is like having a garden – you need to tend to it regularly.

It doesn’t have to be hard work – you’ve already done the hard work by getting the routines developed in the first place.

Instead, maintenance is less commitment, but it’s important nonetheless.

So if you’re finding yourself weary from lockdown and feeling a little off, ask yourself whether you’re doing your gardening or whether you’ve got complacent.

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