By Jack Sharpen New Year's Tricks It’s been less than a month and I’ve already broken the sacred oath. Two casual sips into an IPA and dry January, one of my few new year’s resolutions, was over without realising. These promises we swear to ourselves every solar cycle are often inspiring, motivating and (on my … Continue reading The Four Humours of Wellbeing
Category: Wellbeing Resources
Sound of Silence: the benefits of doing nothing
How learning to do nothing is great for your wellbeing, and tips on how to achieve in a busy bee city. The Prequel As a kid, my parents taught me a rare skill: How to be bored. This was the time when the pinnacle of my home hi-tech was Windows 95 screensavers and printing pics … Continue reading Sound of Silence: the benefits of doing nothing
What do you do all day?
There are over 4,000 postgraduate research students at the University of Manchester, each with their own story to tell. Sharing knowledge and experience can be important professionally – whether it’s collaborating on a multidisciplinary project, or getting a unique perspective from outside your own bubble. There are also important benefits of social connectedness for our … Continue reading What do you do all day?
How to manage stress as a PGR student
By Tarnjit Sidhu @TarnjitSidhu Starting university as a postgraduate student can be a difficult time for many people. After finishing university for the first time around, you probably feel established and have a routine in place. So starting a new degree can be a daunting time. Where is my timetable? Why is no-one checking if … Continue reading How to manage stress as a PGR student
Perfectionism and Me
“What is your biggest flaw?” .. “Oh, well I am just SUCH a perfectionist!” Undeniably one of the most cliché and eye-roll inducing answers to this classic interview question, declaring yourself a perfectionist is often viewed as a humble brag. Most people think perfectionism is just admitting everything you do has to be just right, … Continue reading Perfectionism and Me
“It is what it is”
You may have noticed that since Monday 3rd June, 2019 between the hours of 9pm and 10pm Sunday – Friday, the world seems a strangely quiet place. The answer to this lies in ITV2’s summer scheduling which importantly includes the return of love island. For those of you unfamiliar with the show, the premise is … Continue reading “It is what it is”
The importance of language and insinuation in student/supervisor relationships
The imposter syndrome is a common issue that affects a large number of young people and seems to be particularly prevalent in academic institutions. From my own observations and experiences, this most likely arises from the constant reminders of the pressure that comes from remaining within academia and therefore forcing students to attempt to live … Continue reading The importance of language and insinuation in student/supervisor relationships
The trouble with committing: changing the way we talk about suicide
*This article discusses suicide, please take care of yourself when reading and see various avenues of support at the bottom if you are affected by any of the issues discussed* Author: Leanne Cook I work as a Research Assistant in suicide research at the University of Manchester, which puts me among a group of people … Continue reading The trouble with committing: changing the way we talk about suicide
How to Tackle Your New Year’s Resolution?
Author: Jason Chu We welcome 2019 with the usual chant - New year, new me It's time for that New Year's Resolution. This age-old tradition dates-back to Babylonians entering the new year by promising to their gods that they would return borrowed objects and to pay their debts. Today, it is more concerned with an annual … Continue reading How to Tackle Your New Year’s Resolution?
Mindfulness in a PhD World
“You can’t stop the waves but you can learn to surf” - Jon Kabat-Zinn Author: Katie Davies Mindfulness is… hard to define! There are many definitions of mindfulness but Mark Williams and Danny Penman sum it up well: “Mindfulness is a very simple form of meditation… A typical meditation consists of focusing your full attention … Continue reading Mindfulness in a PhD World