Steve Tippins tells PhD students they need to set their own boundaries or burn out. Say no to demands on your time, take guilt-free breaks, and protect space for walks, family, and rest. No one else will do it for you.
Now, when you become a doctoral student, some people feel they've given up their life to this program, or they're a graduate assistant, or a teaching assistant, or a research assistant, and they've got to do whatever is wanted. You have to also protect your energy. You protect your space. No one else is going to do it for you. Look, if I keep asking and you keep saying yes, I'm going to keep asking because you always say yes. But if you say, you know, that's great, I wish I could, but I can't, or yes, I'm available during this time period, and Outside of that time period, you're taking care of yourself. You're doing your reading. You're doing your writing. But you're also taking a walk, talking with your family, playing with your poor neglected dog. You're doing whatever feeds you. And I want you to take breaks without guilt. If you're looking for a community, join our free dissertation help group.
