It’s now 7 months since my PhD begun. So far things are going well over all, however, the data that I have gathered so far does not appear to be in my favour. Certain results are not clear and keep me awake at night.

A lot of time was lost in optimisation and standardization of certain experiments. Many more yet await for me to optimise and standardize them.

In the mean while it is expected by my university to attend a few courses as a part of the program. At the same time we have to carry out teaching assistantships. This has slowed down my experimental progress. I was on a spree until now. Things have to be postponed regularly and find myself annoyed with this and now with this stuff to be done.

I find myself a bit concerned with the reduction in speed.

On a lighter note colleagues are seriously concerned about my health and weight with the amount of running around I have to do. I would be lying if I said I was not a bit worried myself. I have noted that my stamina and appetite has reduced. This prevents me from cooking my own food as I have no strength left at the end of the day to purchase groceries. I find myself constantly using swiggy and Zomato food delivery apps. Naturally I have no time to workout either. In this respect having no personal vehicle is a advantage and a disadvantage.

All I want to do at the end of the day is just sit and relax or sleep as soon as I am home. The fact that the work day for a doctoral fellow often ends after 5 pm is not at all helpful. Luckily I have a strict “no taking work home” policy or else madness would ensue.

This is how PhD life is and this is what I expected. I pity those who have blindly joined for a PhD anywhere in the world. Boy are they going to be in for a ride of their life.

More in a couple of months.