If you’ve ever wondered what a day in the life of a PhD student looks like, you’re not alone! Between research, writing, and the occasional existential crisis, every day looks a little different. The PhD journey evolves over time, with each stage bringing its own challenges and routines. As a second-year PhD student in the Department of Humanities and Digital Sciences, specializing in Cultural Studies, my current focus is on preparing my research proposal. In this blog, I’ll share how I structure my days, stay motivated, and balance productivity with well-being to make the most of my PhD experience.
Planning the Day
To maximize my efficiency, I plan my day in advance, usually the night before. This allows me to focus better in the early hours of the day. My schedule is structured around reading, reviewing, and writing to ensure a balanced approach to my research. I typically begin with critical readings, integrating key insights into my PhD proposal. Despite having a structured plan, I always leave room for flexibility. Some days, motivation fluctuates, or unexpected tasks arise. In these cases, I practice conscious postponement. Rearranging tasks within the same day is manageable, but consistently delaying them for weeks can be risky!
Work habits
PhD studies are a long-term commitment, but I believe small daily habits contribute significantly to overall success. In the humanities and digital sciences, reading is fundamental, but it should be strategic. I make small summaries and take notes while reading, which helps me recall important points quickly. One method that works for me is the Pomodoro technique, where I work for 50 minutes and take a 10-minute break. Longer breaks might include coffee, quick tasks, or some stretching. Understanding what helps you reset mentally and physically is key to maintaining focus.
Trackings progress
Keeping track of progress is crucial, especially when dealing with research that involve multiple theoretical perspectives and methodologies. I document my daily tasks to provide clear updates in my supervision meetings and track my own development. While documentation can be time-consuming, it holds me accountable and enhances my discussions with my advisors. I use a combination of digital tools and handwritten notes to log my daily challenges, and next steps. This habit not only improves my organization but also makes it easier to reflect on my work, identify patterns, and adjust my approach when needed.
Work-life balance
Not every day looks the same. I believe a successful day is one where realistic goals are set and achieved. Some days, I work intensely for nine hours, while on others, I manage only two. What matters is maintaining progress without burnout. I set three key priorities daily to avoid feeling overwhelmed by an endless to-do list. The flexibility of humanities research is both an advantage and a challenge without strict deadlines, projects can easily stretch longer than planned. This is why setting internal deadlines and working in structured phases is essential.
Based on my journey so far, I hope this gives you an insight into what daily life as a PhD student in Humanities and Digital Sciences looks like. Graduate school offers flexibility, but the key to success lies in managing your time effectively. While staying productive is essential, maintaining personal well-being is just as important!