It is difficult to pursue a Ph.D. without having insecurities. These insecurities can lead to feelings of inadequacy, increased stress, low self-esteem, and even depression.
This article provides you with resources for dealing with your insecurities. It also provides you with general tips that can help build up your confidence level and improve your mental health as a student. Mental health isn't just about the traditional understanding of it as an emotional state but rather an integral part of one's wellness and well-being throughout life's journey, from childhood through old age.
Root Issues Behind Insecurity as a Ph.D. Student
Stress, a well-known trigger of anxiety and depression, should be noted as a root issue for such insecurities. One of the main symptoms of anxiety and depression is a lack of control over stress.
This is because stress affects both mental and physical health in alarming ways. It has been categorized as one of the major contributors to various illnesses such as heart disease, high blood pressure, cancer, and Alzheimer's. Stress is also known to increase the risk of accidents; hence, it has been linked to both traffic fatalities and injuries.
In addition, stress can lead to insecurities because it impairs one's ability to perform at work or school that maintain one's confidence level in life.
How to Manage Anxiety As a Graduate Student?
As a graduate student, you will face a lot of stress in your journey toward your Ph.D. You will have to write a lot of essays and do a lot of research. In addition, you will be required to attend various seminars and conferences.
Some students find it easier and less stressful to do an online Ph.D. program rather than an on-campus program. Touro University online PHD programs are a good example of what can be achieved through virtual learning. It is expected that the more successful you become, the more insecurities you will begin to face.
You may even begin feeling that your work is not good enough and that somebody else can do it better than you. For example, if a student fails an exam or the discussion seminar, then the graduate student may fear that they have failed in their academic career; this is very rarely the case, though!
Working Through Your Stress and Anxiety During Your Research
There are ways of coping with this anxiety. Creating a relaxing atmosphere is one way in which you can deal with the stress and anxiety that you experience in your research.
To create such an atmosphere, you will need to reduce or eliminate all the distractions at home (e.g. television, family members, etc.), eliminate noise pollution (e.g. telephone ringing), and get rid of the clutter. You will also need to settle into your workspace. If you are tense or fatigued, you should make a cup of tea in order to relax your mind and body.
As well as this, you may be required to socialize in order to desensitize yourself from the stress that occurs on a daily basis (e.g. your supervisor meeting with a group of students).
