Welcome to your weekly encouragement note!
Academic advisors are rarely able to provide the level of support students need, and that’s why so many graduate students struggle.
As your alt advisor, our work together is my top priority! We’ll develop personalized strategies and systems of support so you can make progress at your own pace even when your advisor is no help!
Your joy is valuable because academia doesn’t have room for joy.
And I mean joy that isn’t attached to achievements.
Of course you’ll feel happy when you win a grant, publish a journal article, or get an A in class.
But what about when your favorite song comes on? Or when you see a funny meme? Or when your friend tells a joke that has you spitting out your water? Or when you finally get to connect with someone because you haven’t left your living area in days.
Your joy will help you stay sane while you pursue your degree. Don’t deny that part of yourself that craves joy. It will only hurt you in the end. Make room for yourself. Becoming a student means developing your scholar identity. How can you do that if you follow academia’s template and reject joy?
Be you. Without sacrificing yourself. Compromise? Maybe. But don’t let it take away or hide elements of yourself. Have joy without the surveillance of your academia looming over your head. Your voice and joy are needed. You’re doing amazing.
Checking in with y’all, how are you doing? Let me know in the comments!