Edition #1: The PhD Journey Is More Than Just a Thesis.
Exploring the quiet transformations no one puts on a CV
Hi Reader,
Welcome to first edition of ‘Decoding The Doctorate’. I’m so glad you’re here. This little newsletter was born from quiet conversations, long nights of doubt, and a deep belief that the PhD journey needs more honesty, not just productivity.
Whether you're in the thick of your research, on the edge of burnout, or just trying to make sense of it all, this space is for you. One edition at a time, we’ll unpack the emotional, mental, and reflective layers of doing a PhD.
Because the real outcome of your PhD is not the thesis that you write in 5 (Or more) years!
It is that refined, renewed, resilient version of yourself!
You not only tested models, you tested yourself.
Somewhere between collecting and analysing data, writing chapters, formatting citations, handling rejections and criticisms, ethical dilemmas, you shaped yourself and your identity.
When you learnt patience while dealing with that very intricate, complex data set.
When you had no option but to be disciplined as you pursued writing.
When that ‘not-so-good’ meeting with supervisor and research committee taught you emotional endurance and mental resilience.
When you took 2 steps forward in your work only to go back 3 steps and that taught you to be iterative and adaptable.
When you silenced and said an aggressive ‘shut up' to that unnecessary inner voice in you that said you can’t do and it brought forth that courage and conviction.
And
Every time you kept going despite no visible progress and that took every ounce of your determination and self-belief.
You are the biggest project you undertook in that long PhD journey!
Your thesis tells the world what you studied,
Your journey reveals who you became in process😊
If this resonated with you, consider passing it along to a fellow researcher who might need the reminder too via ‘Share’ at the end. And if you haven’t subscribed already, hit subscribe to stay with us as we keep decoding the doctorate:)
We're in this together.
Warmly,
Mridul
Decoding the Doctorate