Welcome to the PhD Life Blog
Real voices. Real research. Real life.
Doctoral research is one of the most challenging, surprising, and rewarding journeys a person can take — and this is the space where we talk about all of it, honestly.
The PhD Life Blog is written by and for the Warwick doctoral community. You'll find personal stories, practical insights, and candid reflections from researchers at every stage of their journey — from the first bewildering weeks of a PhD to the triumphant (and nerve-wracking) final viva. No polished press releases here; just authentic voices from the people living and breathing research every day.
Who is this blog for?
Whether you're a current postgraduate researcher navigating your thesis, a member of staff walking alongside PGRs on their academic journey, or an undergraduate just beginning to wonder "could I do a PhD?"— you're in exactly the right place. These stories are for anyone curious about what doctoral life really looks like from the inside.
So pull up a chair. There's a lot to explore.
Want to contribute your own story? We'd love to hear from you — get in touch with the Doctoral College to find out how to get involved.
Creative activities to boost your wellbeing
Trust the process
The main problem I personally face when starting a new creative project is the fear of blank canvas that stems from perfectionism: if I can鈥檛 do it perfectly, I feel like not starting at all. But then I remind myself that the goal is to enjoy the process and discover something about myself, not to create a masterpiece straight from the beginning. Sometimes I even ruin the blank canvas on purpose just to cover it up later and feel relieved from this fear of imperfection.
When you take up a new creative hobby, the learning process itself is capable of healing your soul from daily worries. The act of creation helps you be grounded and present in the moment and connect to your inner feelings, so don鈥檛 underestimate it in case the result doesn鈥檛 appear as great as you envisioned it to be. Consider this to be a therapeutic exercise that gives you time to clear your brain and works like a meditation and try to overcome your fears of not making everything perfect.
No need for expensive supplies
A thing that stops a lot of people from trying something new and creative is getting the materials. Nobody wants to ruin a pretty sketchbook or buy costly tools for only a couple of uses. But as someone who tried tons of different hobbies out of sheer curiosity (and a desire to prove myself that I鈥檓 capable of recreating that thing I saw on Pinterest) I can confidently say that you don鈥檛 need professional quality materials for your first steps. Good supplies don鈥檛 have to drain your bank account: there are always plenty of cheap reliable options available in the shops, and don鈥檛 forget art supply swaps and second-hand markets that are around every now and then. For some creative projects you can even upcycle or recycle what you already have at home or can easily find outside in the nature. And, of course, there are plenty of resources available in various community spaces: you could visit a free Arts centre workshop, an occasional creative retreat in the Uni library or a craft session in your local community centre.
Friendly bonding or self-discovery
As always, there鈥檚 no one-size-fits-all solution in regard to creative practices, and there are benefits to whatever style you choose. If you prefer to try your new hobby out on your own, it can allow for better concentration and leave more space for self-discovery. It is also a great option if you鈥檙e too shy to show your unfinished work or feel uncomfortable working around others: no pressure, take all the time you need! However, if you decide to include your friends in your newly discovered creative passion, you can opt for a group workshop or class which tend to be cheaper (and it鈥檚 also easier and less wasteful to buy art materials in bulk). And, of course, if you鈥檙e a people鈥檚 person, you can get a lot of fun out of bonding with good company over a hobby.
What are your favourite creative activities? Let us know at doctoralcollege@warwick.ac.uk or on X @DC_Warwick