Reducing stress levels and solving mental health problems of doctoral researchers cannot be accomplished only with the help of institutions that support mental health on campus. In addition, it is not up to the institutions that train supervisors to deal with their student groups in dealing with stress. It is also important to understand that stress is the result of focusing too much on performance measurement. Other institutions such as funders, academic institutions, journals, and publishers should also take responsibility for the mental health of researchers in a way that is possible and within their scope.
The first step to solving a problem is to acknowledge it!
1. Time Management
As a researcher, the key to a stress-free research workflow is effective time management. Prioritize your tasks and plan your day accordingly. Set realistic and achievable goals. Don’t overwhelm yourself with too many things to do in one day. Online project management tools like Asana, Trello, ProofHub, etc. help you stay on top of your tasks.
2. Maintain a Healthy and Professional Supervisor‒Student Relationship
Finding oneself alone is quite natural for most people. Try to make new connections with your colleagues and be kind to everyone. Maintaining a healthy and professional teacher-student relationship is essential for the success of any research project. Good communication gives you and your supervisor a clearer picture of your work. Share your honest concerns with your colleagues and supervisor in the most respectful manner. If there is a minimal response, contact your institution’s mental health team to resolve any conflict amicably.
3. Find a Credible Supervisor to reduce stress
Since your supervisor is the person who will guide you throughout your study program and help you face challenges, it is essential that you choose your supervisor carefully. This process of identifying an incredible supervisor can be difficult and confusing. But one trick to dealing with this is to identify a supervisor who is supportive, actively works in your field, has a strong publication record, and can give you plenty of time for advice.
4. Find the Right Research Funding Body
A high level of stress and depression is inevitable during doctoral studies. Instead of just looking for monetary support, focus on maximizing the value of your research.
5. Presenting Negative or In-conclusive Results
If your experiment doesn’t produce the expected results, there’s no shame. An honest presentation of results is what makes you an ethical and respected researcher in society, regardless of whether the results are positive, negative, or mixed. Compare your results and review those using tables or graphs for effective presentation.
6. Writing Your Thesis
When writing your thesis, you are one step closer to completing your doctorate! It’s only uphill from here. So, don’t hold back now and start planning your writing activities. Additionally, define the sections of your thesis and focus on one section at a time. Do not bother yourself with editing and formatting the thesis. First, complete the writing section. Work on editing and then proofreading your essay in the next step.
7. Select the Right Journal
Now that the writing process is over, there’s no looking back from here. But the risk of falling prey to predatory magazines cannot be ignored. Make this process easier by finding a journal that is relevant to your field. Consider the magazine’s impact factor. Use journal finder tools, such as Enago’s Open Access Journal Finder, Elsevier Journal Finder, Springer Journal Suggester, Manuscript Matcher Tool on the Web of Science Master List, etc. After making a list of journals, check their goals and scope to make sure your article is a good fit.
If you want to know about 7 essential ways to choose the right statistical test, click here.
How many times did you get stressed during your PhD studies? Have you ever followed stress management tricks? What do you think about these recommendations for PhD students? What has been your trick for dealing with stress related to your research? Has it been easy for you to maintain a work-life balance? Share your and your colleagues’ experiences in fighting with stress with us in the comments section!