Doing a PhD is a highly stimulating and intellectually challenging experience, one which I feel an immense amount of privilege to be doing. But doing such a research intensive degree can be incredibly isolating. It is so easy to become so focused on your research that you lose sight of the fact that there’s a big world going on around you. When you struggle with mental illness- these feelings of isolation are intensified. So, I have put together some helpful advice based on my own experiences managing PhD isolation.
- Maintain regular contact with your partner/ family/ friends: This is especially important if, like me, you are living so far away from your partner/ family/ friends. Skype is excellent for this- my partner and I Skype every evening at the same time, giving us something to look forward to at the end of each day. I also Skype my parents weekly. It’s so important to speak to those who know you the best, particularly when you feel alone or are struggling with mental illness.
- Regular visits home: This ties in with my point above about maintaining regular contact with your partner/ family/ friends. I regularly go home, and I also regularly get visits from my partner and my parents. I am definitely at my happiest when I am with my partner in person; it’s also when my mind is at it’s calmest.
- Part-time work: When I am in Bristol, one of my main opportunities for social interaction comes from my part-time job. Because I work for an agency, I meet new individuals on every single shift that I do. Of course, for some this might be an incredibly daunting experience. But I find that it is such a great opportunity to hear about the diverse life-stories of other people living in Bristol. Plus the flexibility of agency work is also great for fitting around a degree. It takes you away from the PhD bubble, allowing your mind to temporarily focus on something else.
- Attending departmental seminars: Even if the paper being given is not immediately relevant to your own research, it is good to go along to these seminars if only to interact with other human beings! Departmental seminars are a useful way of meeting other people working in your department and seeing what’s going on at the university. What is more, these seminars are often followed by a meal. Not everyone is confident eating in big groups, but if you are this is a great way to combat feelings of isolation.
- Pursuing a hobby: Ok, so this is the one that I have struggled with the most. This is simply because, as a self-funded student, I just don’t have enough money to commit to a regular hobby. But, for those who do, the university sports societies are well worth getting involved in, and postgraduates are very welcome to attend. If you’re not particularly keen on sports, universities have lots of other societies that cater to a variety of interests. Be sure to visit Fresher’s Fair to see what they have available, many people feel a bit put off joining them because they are postgraduates but they are for everyone studying at the university. One thing I have tried to do is get involved in volunteering at the local zoo because I love animals, but thus far I have been unsuccessful.
I hope that these tips can be of some help to people who are going through the PhD experience and feeling isolated. And please remember, you are not alone.
OCD, the PhD and Me 