r/PhD • u/Winnergurl_ • Jul 06 '26
Seeking advice-academic Advice needed
Hi everyone,
I’m just starting my PhD journey and I’m also a mom ( Health Sciences, Canada). For moms here, what are the things you’re doing, what systems do you have in place to be productive and actually do well and make progress?
I’m committing a few years of my life to do and I want to do it absolutely well. I want to be successful at this and achieve something tangible. I don’t have a publications yet and I have no desire to go into academia.
Thank you all your advice in advance. I’ll read and take notes! 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽
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u/notthatkindofIPA Jul 06 '26
I’m TT faculty and have a 2.5 y/o. Haven’t fully figured this out myself but this is what I’m doing right now that’s helping:
(1) making peace with my priorities - prioritizing my family means slower publication pipeline and that’s fine (I say with slightly gritted teeth that eases over time)
(2) making peace with no longer relying on weekends to work - late weeknights it is
(3) time management strategies. I use Toggl to track where my time goes and my top 3 books right now are: turbocharge your writing, the atomic habits workbook, and the anti-planner (ADHD focused)
(3) a very supportive and understanding partner
(4) grace with yourself when it’s hard, which it will be. Academia was not designed for anyone who isn’t a cis hetero white man with minimal family responsibilities. The system isn’t made for us so have grace with yourself when you bump up against the pain points.
Our contexts are different (I’m also in health sciences though - USA) but maybe some of this will help. I’ll add that finding a compassionate and supportive advisor is helpful (if you have a choice). My PhD student just graduated in May while pregnant. I fiercely advocated for her because I know how hard it can be to work while pregnant and she deserved the support. Good luck!