July 26, 2016, by Lisa Chin
So what’s it really like?
This post is written by Helena Song Sook Yee, PhD candidate, School of Education.
It has been a roller-coaster journey so far. Being in an academic position and having to be responsible to a home with two young kids while working on the PhD is no easy feat. Many times I felt like giving up, thinking if pursuing a doctorate is worth all this agony. I don’t need to be called a Dr. to make meaningful impact in this world, that’s for sure, I often whisper to myself. But God has other plans. I am to continue the good fight, to finish the race, to keep the faith.
My turning point was when I met Professor Pat Thomson (University of Nottingham, UK) when she was here in UNMC. I had the privilege of meeting her one on one for a short chat. The conversation was ordinary but open and honest. It was life changing for me as I was finally able to talk about my fears and concerns openly. I was struggling with changing of supervision at that time but the few words that she spoke gave me hope. Though she was not in the position to do anything, I felt I was cared for and listened to as a PhD student at Nottingham. Since then, I have been following Pat’s blog, Patter (patthomson.net). It was refreshing to read and learn about solid and meaningful practical advice and strategies compared to hollow methods and techniques. I particularly resonate with the real stories of the struggles that other doctoral researchers go through.
There was this particular guest post: http://patthomson.net/2016/02/25/the-phd-supervisor-as-mentor/ that spoke to me deeply. The writer shared her struggles, the importance of supervisors being mentors, about how desperate she was at the final lap of her PhD but finally she made it! After reading this post, I was near tears because I understood and experience the emotions involved. The good news is at this point of my PhD journey, I found my mentor — the supervisor that didn’t give up on me despite my lack of progress. She is giving me her all and for the first time, I felt I could really do this and I am going to make it. For that I am truly grateful and thankful that she continued to believe in me especially even when things didn’t look promising. This trust she has in me has given me great courage and renewed motivation. I might not have a good start but I know I am going to have a beautiful finish.
To other fellow doctoral researchers, don’t give up, you are almost there!
-
Post a comment
