How to plan your academic year as a PhD student - don’t plan anything until you’ve done THIS!
PhD students, don't plan anything for your academic year until you do this one vital thing…
For PhD students, planning the year can be an exciting time. Whether you’re gearing up for the 1st January or the 1st September, everything seems possible! It’s a chance to start over, to turn over a new leaf, to make the coming year a super productive and effective one - maybe even one in which you FINISH your PhD, wuhoo!
The secret ingredient for a successful annual plan
But, before you get too excited, you need to do one essential thing.
You must look backwards before you start looking forwards.
It's tempting to believe that the arrival of a new year will magically wash away the challenges of the previous one.
That procrastination, which stopped you reaching your goals this year? That won’t be problem, because it’s a new beginning now, right?!
That perfectionism, which saw you messing around with drafts long after they should have been sent to your supervisor? No, you’re not going to do that next year, of course you won’t.
The imposter syndrome, which prevented you from writing a paper for that journal, or submitting an abstract for that conference? It’s going to magically disappear, of course it will, because new year = new you!
Sorry to rain on your parade, but those problems will likely blight the coming year just as much as they’ve blighted the last one UNLESS YOU SPEND TIME REFLECTING ON THEM!
To set the stage for a purposeful year ahead, we must confront the details of the previous year head-on, embracing both the shining moments and the less-than-glamorous experiences.
How to reflect PROPERLY!
Now, let's talk about reflecting on the past year without the rose-tinted glasses and identifying key learnings to carry into the new one. Yes, it involves getting a bit uncomfortable and acknowledging not only the successes but also the areas that may have gone awry. As the saying goes, "Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it."
So, grab a pen and paper.
First, list out all the remarkable things you achieved in the previous year, both big and small. Celebrate those wins. Don't limit your focus to work-related accomplishments; consider personal development milestones as well. Did you improve stress management or navigate difficult conversations better? Note it all down.
Secondly, let's delve into how you achieved those successes and how they made you feel. Identify patterns around your victories – what strategies worked, who supported you, and what was different? These patterns are the clues to future success.
Now, let's confront what didn't go well. What goals went unmet, and why? It's time to explore the red flags and toxic elements that may have hindered your progress. Reflect on personal habits, like procrastination, and dig deeper to understand the underlying reasons.
Your magic formula for next year
After you’ve done this, ask and answer these questions:
What can I do to recreate the conditions in which I achieved my successes last year? What positive circumstances, relationships and habits do I need to take into next year?
How can I prevent the negative things from last year happening again? What things can I put in place now to ensure they don’t hold me back again?
Reflecting on the past year in this comprehensive manner sets the stage for a purposeful year ahead. It's about understanding yourself, recognizing strengths and needs, and preparing for a mindset shift. Take the time to reflect now, tackle the lessons, and stride confidently into planning the next year.
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