Conducting doctoral studies is interesting and intriguing. It is also challenging, and an engagement of several years. Research may not proceed well, and funding may cease leading to a need to obtain another job. Therefore, it is important to proactively take care of your well being. The major stress factors according to an extensive (n=6000) international survey done by Nature are uncertainty of career prospects as well as difficulty to maintain a work–life balance.
Tools to support wellbeing
Social support from the supervisors and other members of academic community, intentional limitation of working hours as well stress management methods have been found as effective ways to prevent a burn out.
Therefore, take care of yourself:
- reserve time for family and friends, hobbies, relaxation and sleep
- exercise, learn more about UEF sport services
- find a supporting academic society (e.g. Association of doctoral researchers, ItäVä or ISYY Student Organisation)
You can test your own psychosocial load using the Workload Assessment Tool created by The Centre for Occupational Safety.
Many handbooks have been written about doctoral research project. Read, for example, Rosie Doyle’s and Fraser Robertson’s The PhD Handbook: How to Take Care of Yourself, Your Research Project and Your Future (e-book, UEF library, requires UEF login).
At Varma Akatemia, you will find online courses, webinars, and ready-made study paths that support maintaining work ability. You can log in to Varma Academy by using your UEF email address and the university’s business ID (2285733-9).
Eduhouse offers training, for example, on work-life skills (requires UEF login).
You can also strengthen and maintain your well-being at work by completing the hands-on exercises of the Wellbeing at work for grant-funded researchers workbook by TJS Opintokeskus.
(Work) life crises
You can find information about other providers of help in Kamu. NB! The services of a study psychologist are not available to doctoral researchers.
Support for difficult situations at work
All students of the University of Eastern Finland have the right to study in a safe and comfortable environment. You can familiarize yourself with the university’s guidelines regarding harassment and inappropriate behavior on Kamu.
If you are employed by the University of Eastern Finland, please also refer to the guidelines published on the intranet (requires UEF login).