Thread by @davidawinkler

I like to think of PhD programs as the different stages of air travel.

Make sure your seat belt is fastened and your tray table is in the upright and locked position.

All clear for take-off into this 🧵

1. Choosing a Destination ✈️

𝘾𝙝𝙤𝙤𝙨𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙖 𝙥𝙧𝙤𝙜𝙧𝙖𝙢. Perhaps it’s a place you’ve never been before, or a place which you’re excited to return. You talked to those who’ve been where you’re headed. Whatever the case, decisions are surveyed, weighed, and made.

2. Uber to the Airport 🚙

𝙏𝙧𝙖𝙣𝙨𝙞𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣. You’re headed in what feels like the right direction, but you’re not in the driver’s seat. You check your belongings to make sure you haven’t forgotten anything—chances are, you probably have.

3. Checking In 🧳

𝙊𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣. Wow! Lots of people everywhere. It seems like you’ll never find the people going to your destination. Everyone seems to be navigating really well on their own—yet, surely they are nervous too…right?

4. A Long Line at Security 🙄

𝘾𝙤𝙪𝙧𝙨𝙚𝙬𝙤𝙧𝙠. You might spend longer here than you anticipated. You meet interesting people, read compelling articles in line, and learn more than you expected. The time passes by both slowly and quickly, because you know what’s to come.

5. TSA Checkpoint 🛃

𝘾𝙤𝙢𝙥𝙧𝙚𝙝𝙚𝙣𝙨𝙞𝙫𝙚 𝙀𝙭𝙖𝙢𝙨. You hope your credentials are enough to skate through unscathed, but sometimes you get the full pat down. Either way, you have to make your way through the screening process—as vulnerable and exposing as it may be.

6. Finding Your Gate 🤷‍♂️

𝙍𝙚𝙨𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙘𝙝 𝙌𝙪𝙚𝙨𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣. It’s hard not to get distracted as you make your way to the departure gate (after visiting Brookstone you just HAVE to go to Cinnabon). If you’re like me, your gate might change a time or two. And hey, delays happen.

7. Departure Gate 🎟

𝙋𝙧𝙤𝙥𝙤𝙨𝙖𝙡 𝘿𝙚𝙛𝙚𝙣𝙨𝙚. An escalator, a moving sidewalk, maybe a transit ride between terminals, and you’re there. Some others may board first, but that’s okay, you’ve got a seat. The gate agent checks your boarding pass—green light, good to go.

8. Boarding the Plane👨‍✈️

𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝘿𝙞𝙨𝙨𝙚𝙧𝙩𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝘾𝙤𝙢𝙢𝙞𝙩𝙩𝙚𝙚. You board the plane and realize YOU are the PILOT responsible for getting to the destination. You’ll need to rely on the experience of your co-pilot and flight attendants. We’re all counting on you.

9. Take-off 🛫

𝘿𝙖𝙩𝙖 𝘾𝙤𝙡𝙡𝙚𝙘𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣. A lot is happening all at once. You’re simultaneously flipping switches and reading notes from what feels like a lifetime ago. You hear from air-traffic control confirm your runway and destination, but wish they would say more.

10. Turbulence 💨

𝙀𝙭𝙞𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙞𝙖𝙡 𝘾𝙧𝙞𝙨𝙚𝙨. There’s always a little rough wind. But who knew there would be this much?! Flying isn’t always easy. You get nervous, but you reassure yourself. The plane may shake and rattle, but you’re in control.

11. Landing 🛬

𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝘿𝙚𝙛𝙚𝙣𝙨𝙚. The landing gear is down as you make your final approach. The anticipation of everyone on board is palpable. Sometimes the landing is a little bumpy, other times it’s as smooth as glass. But hey, you’ve landed. Sigh of relief.

12. Baggage Claim 🛄

𝘾𝙤𝙣𝙛𝙚𝙧𝙧𝙖𝙡 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝘾𝙤𝙢𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙘𝙚𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩. This part takes a little while, but it’s worth the wait. You are reunited with some of the things you brought with you, but you’ve also changed and added to them during your journey. You made it. Congrats!

Thanks for flying PhD Airlines! Just remember, you have many choices when flying, so take your time. You’ll make it to your destination when you need to.

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