‘Well, everyone was quite positive about the article. But I was so annoyed by the comment of one co-author, I have been dwelling on it the whole week.’ Do you recognize this? Undoubtedly. Big chances you also suffer from the negativity bias: the brain is hardwired for negativity and so…
At University – and in our society – intelligence is highly valued and the emphasis is on thinking. From a young age, it is instilled to think critically. You learn how to dissect things, not how to assemble them. We mainly learn to think non-constructive instead of constructive. You will…
Do you have the idea that you are a fraud? That even though it seems that you are able to do a PhD, you still have the feeling that you are not capable of doing it at all? Or does it feel that, despite the clear opinion of your supervisors,…
Maybe it is the time of the year, maybe it’s the era, maybe a combination. Fewer students have finished their PhD the last couple of years. One cause is Corona, stress is another one. I also hear from many PhD students that they are at the end of their tether.…
In the Netherlands we have the expression: ‘Idleness is the devil’s pillow.’ Meaning that by doing nothing you gain nothing. I disagree! Why? Really simple: it is so important to recharge, not do anything, relax, recuperate. Because the more energy you have, the easier your PhD will flow. Are you…
2022 has begun. 2021 was for many PhD students a really hard year. Almost 2 years in the middle of a pandemic has left its mark. And one day for sure can be harder than the other. Is this day an awful day? Do you know that laughing is a…
