When I started out my PhD, I swore I was never going to be that PhD candidate who kept saying it's their final year every single year. So here I am, in my final year... again.
I've been saying it's my final year since my third year. And in a few days I'll be officially entering my fifth year. So what makes this year different? My scholarship.
Several months ago I earned a 16-month scholarship, which allows me to do my research and write my thesis without having to work part- or full-time at the same time. The money is adequate, the time is limited (if I don't finish within this 16-month period, I have to return part of the money) so I'm now at a point where I have to shake off everything that took space in my calendar that is time consuming, doesn't bring joy, and isn't related to my research.
The one thing I learned from my previous years and from burning out is to keep the things that bring me joy. I won't block them on a day-to-day schedule, I won't force my self to do them, I'll just let myself do them when I feel like it and surrender to the flow, guilt-free.
1. Speak to professors and supervisors
The first thing I had to do to prepare for my final year of PhD was to speak to my supervisors and professors about my place in research projects and classrooms, things I wouldn't have the time to adhere to anymore.
2. Keep the Gantt chart in mind at all times
Since keeping my scholarship and finishing my PhD on time is of top priority right now, it goes without saying that my Gantt chart is my new bible. Everything I do should lead to the end game. Every step I take should bring me closer to my graduation.
3. Own my days
I can only work efficiently if I create my own schedule, without distractions and expectations from others. Being work-free and child-free at the moment, owning my days is up to me.
4. Bring structure to my days
I've found that spending the entire day at home can get a bit fuzzy at times, especially if I do it for a long time, say, a year. So I'm looking for ways to get myself out of the house, and combine that with some sort of exercise. I know that if I leave it upon me, I'd get carried away and forget to go for a walk, or to the gym, per se. So right now, I'm looking at dance classes schedules that would get me out of my house at specific days and times weekly.
5. Allow for buffer time
Over-packing my schedule and my to-do lists led to burn out. I now know the importance of idle restfulness and have come to accept and appreciate the art of letting things happen and fall into place.
6. Guilt-free pleasure
I won't stop reading books, or binging on Netflix shows, or singing whenever I think no one's listening, or going out with friends, or writing as soon as inspiration hits. And if I want to spend an evening staring at the ceiling, I am open to doing just that.
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