The PERFECT PhD daily schedule and clever habits!
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 12 มิ.ย. 2024
- In this video I talk about the perfect PhD daily schedule and the simple habits that you can use to make your day more productive and make sure you are working towards your ultimate goal - getting a PhD!
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▼ ▽ TIMESTAMPS
0:00- Introduction
0:54 -The importance of a daily schedule
2:15 - In the morning before going into work
6:14 - When you get in
10:39 - Lunch
11:48 - The afternoon
14:53 - Final tips for success
18:29 - Summary
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Andy thanks for the invaluable contribution. the output is very helpful to everyone.
Dear Andy, thanx for amazing videos about PhD degree. I would like to know the following about PhD: how is it different from a regular job in an industry i.e. do your supervisor usually act like your bosses demanding daily results or so ? Are you as a PhD have a more flexible schedule when to come to work and leave ? Do you work alone all the time or have a possibility to cooperate with other PhDs ?
My biggest tips:
- I have a second laptop at the lab JUST FOR MY PHD. I have nothing on it but work related stuff. No games, no social media, no nothing.
- I have a cheap smart watch with a timer function. Whenever I need to set a timer for an experiment, I use that, so I don’t have to reach for my smartphone and end up you social media xD The smartwatch has no social media or notifications. I also love the vibration function as an alarm.
I have deleted my every social media account 4 years ago.
So i think it's also a good option to go for.
My cheapest trick, Use the same laptop with a separate user account with no social media or email notifications (unless emails from the university?)
And you lab has no $1 timers? 🤣
Brilliant
My usual day for the last two years of PhD (when I was not doing fieldwork). For the first two years, I didn't have a regular routine. I started waking up around 5:30/6:00 without an alarm, which helped a lot.
6:00-7:30 - wake up/ stretchy-yoga/ meditate (I don't prefer apps - I have done a few Vipassana courses)/tend to garden if necessary/cup of coffee
7:30-8:00 - bike to the office
8:00 - 4:00 - hopefully, two hours of focused work before lunch, homemade lunch if possible, walk in the garden during/after lunch with or without friends. Catch up with emails, keep up with other tasks/meetings
4:00 -5:30 - bike back home, do groceries when needed
5:30 - 6:00 - 5k run (best part of the day)
6:00 - 10:00 - cook, eat, clean, read/see friends
10:30 bed
And repeat!! :)
Apart from working from home, I almost never worked at home and only occasionally outside work hours. I also deleted most of my social media (minus Linkedin) in the first year of the PhD, which reduced a lot of distraction. During the pandemic, I moved from a shared accommodation to my private one, where I started growing vegetables - which, in hindsight, learning from plants was such an invaluable life lesson.
As a hobbyist gardener, gardening is such a perfect mental health promoting tool. It allows me to completely forget my anxieties in that moment. Picking up an allotment has given me a cheap space (£55 a year) to come to forget about my studies.
I like it, following this program seems productive
Thank you for sharing I will add some of it to my daily program
@@frosty6297 I think they were talking about a different type of gardening 🍃💨
Just accepted into a PhD program... I'm ready.
Aaqq
Congratulations 🎉
Congratulations
Awesome news !!!
How are you doing so far?
Thanks for the content. Doing a postdoc. Personally I’ve tried the morning exercise thing but I think if the most important thing you’re gonna do that day is work then that’s what I like to start with. Wake, make bed and coffee, shower, and sit right down to read papers, etc. I think that sets the tone for my day to the point that when I’m walking here and there I’ve already got things I’m working out in my head. I still like to work out 4-5 days a week but more at the end of the day.
I wish I had found your channel 4 years ago.... I am in my last year and I feel I spent my years unproductive... I wish I had known these ideas... but I am still willing to apply these ideas in my life anyway.. at least for my life after phd.. Thank you for the video.
I had to come back here to say EATING THE FROG HAS CHANGED MY LIFE! Makes my days so much more productive and less stressful. Thanks a million!
That is really great to hear! Well done on making such an important change!
I dont know if its a habit probably more of a superstition on my part…but highly recommend especially the lab goers there, never do laboratory if youre tired, hungry or just mentally distracted (e.g. something stressful at home happened). Also, if youre not in a tight deadline, if you have a lab protocol that needs the whole day, but you messed up in the middle, and repeating would mean overtime- just dont do it and practice to not let the failure get to you and move on. let tomorrow handle this task with a fresh mind, and maybe do some desk work for the remaining hours, or talk to your labmates about your mishap in a light and humored conversation on a coffee break just to help distress. This is where you schedule “failures”. If you think a protocol requires a day to finish, give it 3 days on your schedule
Find this video when I'm unmotivated to work. It's a bit overwhelming when you first start it. Thank you!
Hey Andy, I really appreciate your efforts in making these kind of videos mate. We can see your content is really real and not pretentious. It is therefore very helpful. I will be starting my PhD in Fall this year. I am making notes of tips you have shared over your videos. Just want to thank you mate!
P.S. A video about how you learned coding and overcome research difficulties will be very exciting to watch. Thanks Xx.
This seems like the perfect video to watch on my 8th tea break of the day...👍🏻
Thank you for this video - I am in the final stages of my PhD and am feeling energised by your reminders for a daily schedule! I have tried a lot of these and must remember that they have got me this far so they are going to get me to the finish line too!
Dear Andy.. you are like the supervisor or senior who prevents the freshers from making stupid mistakes.. thank you so much for your help.. wish had i found u earlier but i am glad in my final year atleast i hv u beside.
I’ve watched several of your videos and love them. Thank you for the great advice! I hope this long journey will be less stressful with your tips.
Right now am steeped in preparing for Comprehensive Exams, but I'll be implementing this for writing my dissertation. It's great and very doable, and I love how you've emphasized quality of work time over quantity. I think where a lot of grad students and even academics get lost is in glorifying the amount of total hours they're working and wearing these like a badge of honour rather than focusing on working smart.
Perfect, Andy! Thank you so much for your videos! They've helped me a lot! Specially this one. I've struggled with my PhD daily routine... looking for some ways to set it in a better way.
This came up on my feed and I saved it to watch it. It is like you were standing behind me and grabbed my shoulders and gave me a good hard shake. Such amazing information. It already made me think of things I should be doing to make this happen, and things I have been putting off for ages, like learning software! Thanks Andy you deserve a medal!
Thank you Andy, I'm having lots of trouble with R&D motivation at the moment but since I found your videos I have taken your advice on board and find it is changing the way I'm doing things.
I've watched a lot of your videos and this is one of my favorites: lots of solid advice. Well done! Thanks!
Hi Andy. I was flooded by the papers and books this morning, and so glad to find your channel. Thank you so much for all these helpful and meaningful contents!
Into my 4th of 8 semesters going for my professional doctorate in clinical nutrition. Any nutritionally-dense carbohydrate (fruits, veggies, whole grains such as oatmeal) will be great energizers that boost your immune system and keep you well. Plus knowing that you are doing your body a favor will certainly boost mental health!
Eating meat in general makes me feel heavy and sleepy. It‘s just too mich fat, especially in the morning
Thank you so much. I think I’ve stumbled on some of these habits but it’s important to hear them articulated. I’m resolved to make them my tools for creating good work! second semester of a four year PhD just started. Trying to not let overwhelm creep in. 😊
I'm so blessed to find this channel at the right time in the right place! Although I won't start my PhD till January, 2022, I've already benefited my life by practicing some advice and wisdom shared by Andy. I will certainly join in Academia Insider soon. Hope to work together with more like-minded friends from all over the world to run through the Phd marathon with joy and success in the midst of difficulties and challenges. Thank you so very much, Andy!
As a 2nd-year PhD student, I can't emphasize enough how lucky you are! Binge on all his videos and apply them to your life from day 1 of your PhD marathon. Andy's videos, especially this particular one literally saved my life. Thanks a bunch, Andy!
Thank you Andy, this is just reminded me of all the good habits I have been doing. I am at the last couple of months of the PhD and this helped me a lot.
Thanks so much! I am not working for my PhD, but I have been in a rut in my debate class. I think these tips and the schedule will really help me get back in my groove. 👍🏼
Thank you very much for your advices!!!!!! You are like a coach for me! Even my professor hasn't helped me so much such as you! Thank you again!
OMG this channel is just pure GOLD
Just what I need for 2022. Thank you!
Thanks Andy for great routine setting advice! As always enjoy your videos mate!!
Masoud, you are a legend. See you soon xx
Im starting my phd proposa your videos are so helpful and sometimes makes my day when i need it
Thank you for such an insightful video. Super helpful for a beginner like me.
I started watching your videos in 2022 when I was doing my Master's research project. Just because of your videos, I was one of the most favourite students of my supervisor. At That time I was watching all your advice and techniques for PhD Students but now I'm a PhD Student. Hopefully, your content will also help me in my PhD Journey. Thanks for the amazing content for PhDs
What a brilliant video! I have been thinking about how to better strucutre my days this year as I begin my write-up so this is excellent. Thanks for the tips! :)
Great video! Super informative and I love the white noise website
Good video. I use google calendar for everything. This really helped me move through mine faster. I set mini-goals along the way and this really helped. I put in any hard deadlines and dedicated time in between to reach them. I just turned in my 1st Revision and waiting for feedback. 256 pages of pain. I actually cried. Almost there! :-)
Honestly, this routine got me through my Honours degree and looking back now, it will definitely get me through my PhD. Thank you for the tips.
Thank you, Andy! Just what I need to hear. 😁
I am experimenting with having no breakfast at all and lunch at 12 and heavy dinner... so far I am feeling better!
I love this, thanks so much.
Getting into the lab and watching this video was my routine for today and I regret nothing
Hi Andrew ... thank you. today is the first day, I missed my walk and meditation first thing in the morning, which I usually get it done by 7:30am. Have ben diligent for the past 15 days. It is over 34 degrees in Wagga and the only way around this is go to the gym!
You are right , i also found a good schedule and habits very helpful. And if I don’t start the worst task of the day it takes my energy thinking about it .
Thank you, Andy 🥰
Love it! Thank you.
Thank you for the tips 😌
WOW! Thank You so much. Appreciated
Amazing video, Andy! Just a small note on the breakfast thing - it obviously depends from person to person! - but only eating fruit is actually counter productive for most body types. It's like eating "healthy" sugar - it will indeed get you up and running but your sugar level will then decrease after an hour or two and you'll feel hungry again/ will feel the need for a bigger lunch. I personally need my carbs in the morning to get me going - as well as gym just before lunch.
Thank you for adding this. Yes, it absolutely varies from person to person. Finding what gives you the right sustained energy in the morning is very important.
You can slow down the absobtion of sugars from fruits by adding greens or carbs. I like to consume all my fruits in the morning, too, just because as the day goes by I might forget. And I've found that adding spinach in a fruit smoothie or oats or even nuts and nut butters in my breakfast alongside the fruits has helped me a lot. Just a useful tip I found out about last year. Listening to your body though is the most important.
Love your videos. Subscribed!
Aww, this is soo good! Thank you so much!
Ive been binge watching your videos in prep for not my PhD but for my honours. I am also hoping to use this information for my PhD assuming all goes acourding to plan. So thank you!
In the exact same boat. Finished my undergrad in psychological sciences literally TODAY so applying for Honours to hopefully start next year and watching all his videos seems to apply so well. Especially because Honours you only have one year so it has to be dialled in. Goodluck with your Honours and I hope you achieve First Class!
@@Daniel_McDougall Thank you and good luck to you too! May your journey be fun and fruitful. So far Andy's videos have been a life saver. Especially videos about time management and planning.
I have just started my PhD.
Hopefully I'll learn a lot from video.
You are my fav on high education literature and guide. :)
Thank you Andy.
your videos are perfect.... Really very helpful
So hyped to start my phd next year
Thanks, sir, it's a nice advice
I would like to so thanks for your great contribution for PhD students.
Thanks Andy!
I have been just accepted to PHD program :) Wachaing your videos had helped me a lot to prepare for the admition phase. thank you a lot a lot!!
Best of luck!
Thank you Andy!
My pleasure!
That was really helpful! Thanks a lot
You're welcome!
Thank you !
Thank you
Biggest tip is get yourself an advisor who is not to well known, who will be there at least most of the time when you need him/her, and don't ever show your advisor your data untill you have yourself secure the first authorship.
How do you get to know whether you are gonna get first authorship
Also I am confused whether to spend more time in lab or go to lab whenever I have work bcz I like reading in library rather in my institute
This is gold. Thank you Andy. I’m currently working on creating the best schedule for tackling my Masters dissertation and this helped a ton.
I'm so pleased that this helped, Mutombo! good luck with your Masters dissertation and remember to make a small step towards your goal every day!
Helpful tips... Thanks Prof
My pleasure!
the 1.5 hour writing blocks are a good idea
6 months away from submission. Been regularly weight training 2-3 times in the gym for just over a year now. Single best thing I started doing for my mental health without a doubt. Wish I discovered it sooner. At the moment its the only part of my routine I actively enjoy and look forward to.
amazing advices i'm in the 4th year of my Phd all true
Starting a Phd straight after my undergrad soon thank you so much for your videos!
Would love to have tips on starting my phd after undergraduate studies
Great advice. I wish I found this video 10 years ago when starting my PhD. I think you can apply the same schedule for established scholars, just add an extra block of admin or meeting with students somehow.
Great video
Hello Dr. Andy thank you 🌟
thank you Andy, your videos are very helpful. could please make a video about how to write a good timetable in our PhD proposal
Thank you.
you are a life savior
Thank you so much! Great tips!
Actually for me music-for-studying on TH-cam is the key now)) For ex, I choose 2-hours playlist, sit and work till it ends. So helpful. Especially Dark Academy playlists))) But it doesnt matter.
Hey I love your tips
Wow your content is great !!!!
Hi! Morning routine sounds fab. But I'm a part time PhD student. Any advice or maybe a video idea for you? Thanks!
Thank you Andy for useful videos. Though, I am in the final stage of PhD, I have been struggling in time management as I have accepted a Govt. job as a high school teacher. In India, to get a Govt. job means a secured future and I chose that first. But, I want to complete my PhD as well. By next year i.e., 2024 before 12th December I have to submit my thesis, at least pre-submission is to be done. I am finding it a great challenge!
Weightlifting I find to have meditative properties and plus makes me better and improves my ability to control my muscles. Running is not the only exercise out their. :)
Thank you for this video, I'm a master's degree student writing my thesis. ☺️
For military morning running in team and sing song while running and excercise after to relax muscle stress.
Thanks for the great vid, Andy. Could you do a video comparing research doctorates to professional doctorates? In the states, that would be comparing a PhD to a JD, an MD, etc. I’m in an American law school working on a JD (Juris Doctor), and I’m fascinated by how what I’m doing stacks up against a PhD program.
Professional doctorates don't really exist in Australia
My tips regarding nutrition:
Fruit and veg, mushrooms with some eggs and some FULL fat dairy/cheese with a coffee gets my brain going sharp and keeps me full well into lunch where I will have some carbs (because I workout after work) and if I'm working out in morning carbs at dinner! Also GO FOR A WALK OUTSIDE
Haven’t submitted my MSc dissertation yet. I’ll submit at the end of the week. And start applying for a PhD 🙀🫶
Your videos are great!
I'm starting my PhD in Comparative Literature in September at the ripe age of 50, and your videos are a big help.
The 1.5 hrs of deep focus would be reading and writing in my case, am I correct?
Also, about what time to you recommend shutting it down for the day?
How is the phd going ?
@@shadebadmos It's going well. A lot better than I imagined it would. I just have to put my reading, note taking, and writing into overdrive to finish on time. Thanks for asking.
@@abuyousefali best of luck. I just started this October. I am 47, my research area is in Human Computer Interaction.
@@shadebadmos keep your head down and grind
You guys are so inspirational, keep up the good work!
Some really insightful ideas from the perspective of organisational design too. I would add that people flourish more when everyone around them is choosing excellence and it could be in the design of the work place to push people for it in terms of defined work processes like everyone is at office at 9 AM and participates in one hour of focussed work with noise reduction earphones and are not allowed to talk to each other. Once this culture is established, organisation could achiever much higher productivity growth. The company though needs to make this initial investment of running this design until compliance.
Man amazing, do you provide one-on-one consultation for current PhDs?
These are amazing tips. I have been in the corporate world for 7 years and I have the habit of checking emails every second.. I didn't realize until I watched this video. I am going to stop doing it .
Its been 15 days I have been going to my LAB for my PhD program. I am quite overwhelmed
I'd like to add though there are definitely moments that 'eating the frog' is effective, there are also suggestions for people like me with ADHD that you should start with quick dopamine fixes. Simple tasks that give you the energy boost to get started.
For me the gross anxious activity IS the emails 😂
I really love the realistic and more importantly, ACHIEVABLE daily goals you laid out. 2-3 hours of REAL hard work daily will put you a head of the curve if you choose to follow it religiously. Thank you for not pushing the 12 hours/day myth.
There's quite a lot of research on why eating only fruits in the morning is beneficial actually, and in many more 'traditional' diets this is a common habit. It has to do among others with the fact that fruits in combination with other foods (e.g. wheat) start fermenting more quickly and produce weird effects. A quick google will lead you to more info!
Another app thats really helpful for productivity is Forest. You set a timer anywhere between 10 minutes - 2 hours and you can't use your phone throughout, so definitely helps for when you're feeling unmotivated and need some focused time.
Thank you I just downloaded the app
your channel is very useful please also talk a bit about the international PhD students that use English as the second language. Please provide some advice to us on how to dealing with the tasks and also improving our English over the course of the PhD.
I'd say, do not aim to be a native speaker. You are going to make errors when you speak and write. So don't get discouraged when you make mistakes.
2. Trying thinking/analyzing your work in English. It won't be easy especially if you are used to thinking in your native language then translating into English.
3. Watch and listen to English. Watch your favourite movies in English, read your books/articles in English, listen to the radio/podcasts in English. You will have to make a conscious effort to switch your life to English. This will be hard! But doable. Remember you might not have much time to learn English so by integrating English into your life, you'll get better. Hang out with English speakers as often as you can rather than spending all your free time with mates from your country.
That's my two cents on this.
Thank you for the video! Really good tips!
How would you recommend organising when you work part/full time apart from doing your PhD? In my case, I work 8h at least 3 days a week and only have two extra days and the weekends for my PhD. I usually try to rest on the weekends not to burnout but only 2 days for my PhD is becoming craaaazy and almost impossible 😅
Thank you!
bbrrrr! I don't do schedules, just the thought of it makes my teeth itch. I have a beautiful procrastination schedule, get up think about making my bed, then I decide to make a double espresso first, shall I do some work? sit in front of the computer and suddenly remember that I MUST do my washing/ironing/shopping/nose picking/daydreaming etc etc ....ad infinitum...