I am a very regular member of a few research support groups on Facebook since I started my PhD in Malaysia in September 2012. During my time with these groups, I have noticed something which I thought was important to address (it’s a personal viewpoint and it’s ok if you disagree to it).
I have noticed that PhD journey is portrayed as something very scary and un-achievable. Mostly, people share their stories on difficulty of getting a PhD completed which demotivates a lot of people who have just started or thinking to start their journey. I have rarely seen posts that motivate others to go for it or finsih what you have already started. To be frank, this is all about ATTITUDE. If from day one, you take a POSITIVE attitude, there is no way and I mean, NO WAY, you cannot get to the destination.
Luck does play a part in it and sometimes people do have hurdles in their PhD journey but that’s common in every other aspect of life too. It doesn’t mean that everyone will have the same issues or same problems. I can quote my own example. I have finished my PhD in 2.5 years and with 18 publication (12 scopus-indexd; 2 SSCI-indexed) and 7 conference papers with two best paper awards. It was all possible because of surrounding myself with people with positive attitude; those who never let me distract.
For those who always post that they have lost their way and focus, there is an easy way. TAKE A BREAK. Go to some Island, relax yourself and reach out to God. Start after a quick relaxing break and (God Willing) you will be good. Be honest to yourself. It was you who in the first place registered for PhD so you must keep yourself together and push towards the end.
I hope no one takes anything personal. For me, PhD was an awesome journey (Research support groups contributed more to its awesomeness). I hope that these awesome groups can act as motivators for those who are scared of starting the research journey rather than demotivating and scaring them away.
Please share positive stories of scholars around you. Talk about those who overcame the odds and have reached to attain their goal. Stay happy and inspire others.
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