That feeling of being on the verge of a deadline and having
barely scratched the surface of the required work is terrible. The feeling is
so awful that you question, "Why didn't you plan and manage your time
better?" at that point when you realize you will not be able to make
it. On the other hand, researchers have many deliverables; at the very least,
students are juggling working on papers, presentations, proposal submissions,
and study plans. Many in the Ph.D. community are probably also teaching,
mentoring, or conducting peer review work. Aside from the intellectually
compelling task, researchers must manage a slew of administrative and
logistical concerns in addition to their primary research duties. Furthermore,
unexpected delays may leave researchers with much less time than expected.
1. Break down your to-do list into manageable chunks
No task is assigned without analyzing the actual time required to complete it. So technically, you can achieve what is required of you in your Ph.D. community within the duration you have. It may appear to be a considerable lot of work, but you can commence lightening your burden by splitting it down into smaller, more manageable chunks.
2. Take some time off
It may be counterintuitive, but how can taking time off allow you to be more productive? To begin with, knowing that you will have some time off in the future brings immediate relief to most. Consciously taking some time off, like completely stepping away from e-mails and phones, can significantly change the overall cognitive processes, creativity, and productivity.
3. Set important milestones
Some institutions hold examinations, also known as progression milestones for their doctorate students, at specified periods throughout their program. Similarly, setting important milestones is to find out roughly what needs to be done at each level from your supervisor or senior Ph.D. peers in your department. For instance:
When should you do your fieldwork/data collecting?
When should you undertake analysis?
When should you write your first chapter?
These essential elements will help you understand where you should be at each level. You may then reverse the process to figure out what you need to accomplish and when to attain those goals.
4. Be honest with yourself
It is imperative to be realistic and honest about your working patterns and speed to guarantee that you can work at a continuous, steady rate. Don't set yourself a target to write a 3000-word essay in two days if you know it takes you an entire day to write 500 words. Doing so will not only set you up for failure, but you will end up also putting a lot of strain on yourself.
Your mental health will deteriorate, and being a part of the Ph.D. community will become a source of anxiety for you. Instead, try to give yourself additional time than you consider you need when organizing your work schedule. This extra time will allow you to deal with any unforeseen challenges that may emerge while working more pleasantly and methodically.
While sticking to your plan and timetable is crucial, it's vital to not be too hard on yourself. Acknowledge that there will be moments when you are driven and days when you are unproductive. Overall, it's critical to stay focused on your long-term objectives and to reassess your strategy to see what's working and what may be improved. Each person has their unique work style, so not all of the above suggestions and methods will apply to you; nonetheless, in the process, you may end up discovering a few that you connect with. When you implement these suggestions, it is bound to enhance productivity.
To be a part of the Ph.D. community, contact us at payen@eiasm.be today.