It’s been 939 days since I started my PhD. My planned thesis submission date is 493 days from today. I still have plenty of time, right? Since my sojourn in the Valley of Shit/Tunnel of Doom last summer, I’ve managed to make solid progress on research and writing. My trusty (and, more importantly, healthy) new work…
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My workday always begins with this mug. When I take my first sip of coffee, surrounded by the fairy lights and motivational postcards of my workspace, my brain knows that it’s time to get writing. I write until my thoughts get foggy. Some days I can do three or four hours; other days I manage…
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If archaeologists dug up my PhD experience and interpreted the residual layers of rock and artefacts to figure out how the process evolved over time, the phase I’m currently living through would be known as ‘The Writing Age’. Right around the time I published this post about burning out, something clicked in my brain. I…
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It seems I’m already halfway through my PhD. I’m not quite sure how that’s come around so soon… Year 2 has been a busy one so far. Things have really started to get going on the research front, and I’ve thrown myself into all sorts of different side projects as the months have gone by…
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A couple of weeks ago, I completed (and passed!) my Mid-Year Review. A Mid-Year Review (sometimes known as an ‘upgrade’) is a compulsory part of my PhD programme. It takes place halfway through the first year of doctoral study, and involves submitting a sample of written work (mine had to be 5,000 words in length, plus 2,000 words…
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Stratford-upon-Avon is a fabulous town, studded with a glorious selection of independent cafés, restaurants, and coffee shops. During my time as a student, I’ve spent a lot of time in coffee shops. I tend to work pretty well in these sorts of environments: there’s just enough noise and activity to make my surroundings feel interesting, but…
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I’m generally not one for New Year’s resolutions. I am, however, very much into finding ways to improve my work and lifestyle throughout the year. I enjoy reading about ways to increase productivity, and I tend to spend (too much) time browsing through Pinterest looking at things that’d make my home, wardrobe, or food more exciting. This…
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My Masters year at the Shakespeare Institute is proving to be something of a learning experience. Not only have I found myself immersed in the relatively unfamiliar world of English literature, I’ve also had to figure out how to deal with multiple-essay deadlines. This time last year I thought having two essays due within the same week was…
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Until a few years ago, the Easter holidays meant a break from whichever academic institution I was in at the time (school/college). The prospect of a few weeks without classes was an exciting one, and I always looked forward to it: I could spend time with my friends, sleep in late, and – very importantly…
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It’s been a good couple of weeks. Last time I posted here I was shamelessly procrastinating from essay-writing, and I’m very pleased to say that all three of my Christmas essays have now been submitted. It was definitely a tad stressful getting them finished, but I’ve since been enjoying a bit of normality. I had…
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Ella Hawkins 