Overcoming the challenges of academia

In this blog post, I will explore common difficulties faced by students and researchers and how Academic Lighthouse can help to address them. From understanding research methodology to dealing with imposter syndrome, I will provide advice and resources to make your academic work less confusing and lonely.

First of all, although I speak about academic careers in general, we all bring unique strengths and weaknesses to a specific work environment. My aim is not to tell you how to do science "properly", but to help you discover what you need to succeed at this time and place, and share my knowledge about the ways to get there.

Second, a lot of people assume that people who are at the top of the hierarchy at universities are born exceptionally intelligent and that is the main reason why they succeed in their academic career. That is not true. Even the most brilliant minds leave academia if they do not have a supportive network around them. Thus, if you are struggling, it is not because you are not smart enough, but because you need additional resources.

Third, it is completely normal to encounter difficulties. Some people need to manage chronic physical and psychological issues such as depression, anxiety, ADHD or autoimmune diseases. Others have complicated family responsibilities, which can affect the choices they have to make in terms of workload and schedule. And whilst it makes academic work more challenging, it is completely understandable and manageable.

For most academic issues, you only need time and perseverance to find what you are looking for. To begin with, search for literature in the databases available to you. If you are not sure ask the library staff for resource recommendations. If possible, enroll on relevant courses and talk to teachers after the class. If it is an assignment, request as much information from the person in charge as possible, and look for manuals from your university. If you are preparing an application for an external institution, read all the online resources and do not hesitate to email contact people for further information or feedback. If you cannot find a collaborator or supervisor who might give you guidance from your immediate work environment, ask your peers and find academic communities with like-minded people around the world. If you send 20 emails and get 1 response, that means that now you have one more person in your network. It is a success and a step forward.

In my experience, the most common personal issues we face in academia are:
1. A sense of constant overwhelm, when too many tasks are being prioritised at the same time.
2. Working too much overall, or alternating between periods of procrastination and intense work, both of which can lead to burnout.
3. Debilitating feelings of guilt and self-doubt, which are made worse by a competitive and stressful work environment.
4. Isolation and loneliness due to a lack of research networks and encouraging environment.

Lastly, I cannot tell you whether an academic career is worth your effort. All I can say is that you can do it if you choose to. And I am here if you want to talk about it so that we can learn and grow together.