I made this #infographic to represent my journey in #gradschool at @UMassChemEng @UMassAmherst. When you're in the thick of things, It will be hard to see the light at the end. Everyone around you will keep telling you that but most of the times it will seem #impossible!
Year 3, 4, and 5, I went through multiple cycles of #depression. I cannot put a finger on anything specific of why that happened. What I realized though, is that every time I came out of that cycle, I found enormous amounts of hidden #energy and #strength.
I realized that the reason I was able to continue and come out of depression in the first place was the #kind and #supportive people I was surrounded with including my immediate family! Sometimes help came from most unexpected sources, so don't count anyone out while you're in it
So you must cultivate this #habit of including most people into your journey during the PhD and possibly for entire life! However, what enabled me to reach new heights despite hitting #rockbottom was the infinite source of strength and energy that was internal not external!
So instead of looking for #distractions when things are rough (and they will be!), see if it is possible to look inwards and find the source. I also understand that that will be the hardest thing you'll have to do, and that is where you'll need #mentors who you can #trust blindly
These mentors don't need to be #academics or related to your PhD in any way. But they must understand you emotionally. In some cases they can even be your #therapist! Ultimately, the one person that can get you through this mammoth challenge is you! Good luck!
Again if you have any #experiences to #share or #concerns feel free to reach out to your trusted people or me any time you're #comfortable! @PhDVoice @PHDcomics @PHDConmonSense @HaphdS @PhDspeaks #AcademicTwitter #AcademicChatter
Can we “@threadreaderapp unroll” this🙂
In addition, if you find it hard to open up at the moment use this link to provide your feedback and share your experience anonymously here! docs.google.com/forms/d/1z4nvD…
Also, never be shy to bring your #wholeself to #work! It will always make you feel alive when you have to end up spending long hours in #Laboratory while getting those time points, writing those #manuscripts, and spending nights to write those #grants! make lab your #happplace😇
