Читать книгу Fulfilling the Potential of Your Doctoral Experience - Pam Denicolo - Страница 21

Undertaking a doctorate is a life-changing event that will impinge on all aspects of your private and public life; it is not just an intellectual effort. This latter, erroneous, assumption is sometimes compounded by an expectation that it can be separated entirely from other aspects of life. We suggest that it is more helpful to recognise how much your doctorate will consume your being, thinking, time and energy (even in part-time mode) and prepare yourself and significant others accordingly. It is vital that you have a network of people who are prepared to provide support, succour and sanity in the years to come. When planning your actual studies (see Chapter 3 about contingency plans for the unexpected), it is important to factor into your timetable space for family events, both those that are predictable and those that may surprise or shock – bear in mind that life happens while you are absorbed in your project. You may need, also, to prepare your loved ones for the rather more distracted version of you. (Two images spring to mind as one of us types: my child stood before me with hands spread across my book: ‘Stop reading, Mummy, come back to us,’ and a beach, sunglasses, sand castles and a pile of books!)

It is wise in the run-up to starting your studies to complete any major household projects, such as do-it-yourself or other large domestic projects. Indeed, you may need to negotiate some frequent lapses in attending to regular chores; while engaged with your doctorate, mowed lawns and tidy houses can fade into insignificance. Nevertheless, mindless tasks or chores often do have a way of freeing up thinking, solving problems and aiding complex thoughts, so do not dismiss them totally.

In all your excitement and pride about beginning a doctorate, you might be tempted to tell all and sundry. We recommend that you are very clear about how long the whole process takes and/or restrict the news to your nearest and dearest – only because of the frequency with which we have overheard remarks such as: ‘I dread meeting the postman, who keeps asking if I am a doctor yet!’