Do You Want to survive or thrive on your PhD journey?
These two scenarios are obviously archetypes; no student is completely thriving or surviving (or inhabits the intermediate states of coping or coasting). For many students, a PhD is regarded as one of the most cognitively and emotionally demanding experiences a person can undertake. It is expected to be challenging, to test intellect, resolve, self-reliance, and motivation. However, this doesn’t mean that the journey has to be joyless or overwhelming.
Let’s put some shape on that question. We describe surviving as a treadmill, where the main goal is, at best, just reaching the end of the course; and there appears to be insufficient support and limited academic significance for the project. Your enthusiasm for the research declines over time, as does optimism about job or research prospects. ‘Survivors’ also tend to feel socially isolated, with lower levels of happiness and wellbeing.
Conversely, a thriving PhD is one that leads to growth, development and satisfaction. The candidate evolves and promotes their research into the most meaningful areas, building important academic and social relationships. Thrivers have strong networks that help them resolve most challenges, and their journey feels worthwhile, as they contribute new knowledge to academia and society.
The intellectual challenge of a successful PhD should not be underestimated, but the project also requires psychological, behavioural and relational skills that are rarely taught. PhD Thriving exists to support students in reaching their academic goals and boosting happiness, wellbeing, and success. We provide a range of support designed to help students fulfil their potential and make the PhD journey a positive and memorable experience.
Below, we offer a blend of professional fee-based services and excellent resources freely available to all. For any further information on how we might help make your journey more thriving than merely surviving, get in touch. If you work for or represent a university, learn more about how we can help your PhD candidates here.
How We Can Help
PhD Thriving Newsletter – (Free) This is your starting point for building more skills, better networks, more robust health and wellbeing, and making the PhD journey happier. A free weekly digest of how to thrive on the PhD journey, the Newsletter offers advice and insights into every aspect of PhD life. Including relevant strategies, neuropsychological tools, and curated opportunities relevant to doctoral candidates. The aim of the Newsletter is to provide regular digestible support to help you stay grounded, motivated and connected. It is free to join, and you can unsubscribe at any time.
One-to-One Mindtraining – Mindtraining delivers a suite of neuropsychological techniques that support doctoral candidates in overcoming procrastination, low motivation, anxiety, imposter syndrome, and time blindness. Training takes place online or in person in a confidential, professional, yet compassionate environment. By sharing reliable techniques for regulating emotions, boosting self-efficacy, and improving performance, mindtraining can significantly impact academic success. However, our compassionate, holistic approach supports students’ wider needs and is designed to underpin happiness, wellbeing and success.
Group Mindtraining Sessions – We offer themed mindtraining sessions, both online and in person, to groups of four or more students. Group sessions can cover almost every aspect of university life. Group mindtraining takes the form of either workshops or seminars, depending on the theme being addressed and the number of attendees.
PhD Induction Training – Our induction training offers new candidates an introduction to PhD life and a toolkit of academic, psychological, behavioural, and wellbeing techniques that make the difference between surviving and thriving on your doctoral journey.
- Insider’s guide to research and writing up
- Managing the cognitive load and avoiding burnout
- Managing supervisory relationships
- Performance first
- Letting go and crossing the finish line
- Compassion and wellbeing
PhD Meditation Group – (Free) Join the international PhD community in regular guided meditation led by experienced and trained meditation teachers (Newsletter signup required).
Archived Resources – (Free) Access a growing catalogue of briefings linked to almost every aspect of PhD life (Newsletter signup required).