Pursuing a doctorate degree in your subject of specialization is nothing short of a roller coaster ride complete with its ups and downs, twists and turns. And just like a roller coaster ride, it can be a lot of fun.
Experts have classified the PhD life cycle in a number of phases and every one of them holds true of almost all aspirants. The first phase begins as you start your PhD and you are filled with optimism and enthusiasm. After all, you have worked hard to find the the right PhD, the right subject want to specialize in and with the university you had in mind from the very start. Just like when you start something new, you feel great. However, as the months wear on, be prepared to feel the enthusiasm give way to realism.
As you enter the next phase of your roller coaster ride of PhD, you are bound to feel the pressure as everything may not be working out as you had envisioned. At this phase, most candidates feel overwhelmed and lost in their field of work.
The second phase of realism plunges into even darker territory with what is known as the crisis phase. In this phase, you might be inclined to think of yourself as a failure. With no end to your problems or a solution to your thesis in sight, your PhD experience could feel like an uphill task that just takes too much efforts with zero results.
If you are one who is in the crisis phase of your PhD, be assured that this too shall pass. However, a lot is upto you. Be sure to prune the negativity surrounding your thoughts and bring your issues in perspective to work towards a solution. As you start identifying the roadblocks and know where to seek help to remove them, you would find yourself towards the best part of your PhD.
As you land on the last phase of your roller coaster ride, you are once again optimistic but this time you are armed with knowledge. You know exactly where your research stands and how you can use your work to get the maximum mileage. More confident than ever, you know that you can contribute in your field no matter how big or small.
Remember that no one said that a PhD is going to be anything easy and just as in a roller coaster, all you need to do in hang on.
