PhD diary
A journey as a doctoral student between 2017 and 2020. I keep these posts because, looking back from my early days, I can see how much my perspectives have shifted as a reminder of the learning journey.
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Wrap up of the final year of my PhD
This year has brought a lot of tough, new challenges, one after another. I am very grateful that my family and I have been able to stay in good health and have normal lives, apart from staying home. Despite all the difficult circumstances during the ongoing outbreak, as a PhD student, I was able to read more
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The first book chapter
My thesis corrections were approved. I submitted the final version and concluded my PhD at last! I’ve taken an exciting step in research. I was invited to serve as an editor on an academic book early this year, and I have submitted a manuscript for one chapter. My former supervisor is the lead editor, and read more
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New office and classroom
August has been a time of transition between completing the final elements of my PhD programme and starting full-time work in a new environment. I finished the editing for my final thesis submission, completed all the paperwork for my full-time employment, and set up my work-from-home office and ‘virtual classroom’. I bought a new, 27-inch read more
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I passed my PhD viva
The past seven days have been very special and unforgettable. I am proud of myself for successfully defending my thesis and for passing the viva with minor corrections! I am writing many thank you messages and emails every day. I feel deep, deep gratitude for the people who have supported me over the time of read more
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My memories of Lac Léman
This is a short, personal note about my memories of Lake Geneva or Lac Léman, the second-largest freshwater lake in Europe. In 2013 and 2014, I was living in Montreux, by the lake. I would wake up at 6 am and get a fabulous view of the lake from the windows in my room. The sunset read more
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“Doctor, we spoke the same language.”
Five years ago, I read an old French book, “Docteur, pour la première fois, nous avons parlé le même langage” dit Christina (“Doctor, for the first time, we spoke the same language”, Christina said). The book tells a true story of a female in-patient, Christina, in a hospital ward in France, describing dialogues with her read more
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Needn’t worry about future
There are three weeks left until my PhD viva, and my stress level is rising every day. I have now read four general viva guidebooks and re-read my thesis. The guidebooks are helpful, and it’s nice to read many different variations and stories. The format of the viva seems to vary depending on the institution, read more
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Five weeks to go until my viva
My preparation for my PhD viva has officially started. On my desk, I now have a Wiro-bound copy of my thesis, sticky notes, index tabs, highlighters, and a couple of guidebooks on viva tips. I first added index tabs on each section, and I have been re-reading the thesis while creating a page-by-page summary. At read more
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