This is not an all-encompassing rule, but rather a set of rules built around my experiences during my Ph.D. journey.
- Aim for a well- balanced life. Time allotted for friends, family, and colleagues, recreation, sports, movies, reading, writing, research, vacation, and even teaching is the best bet for productivity.
- Revisit schoolwork- writing, texts, research, experiment, at least 15 minutes every day to keep your ideas fresh.
- Meditation/Prayers are not overrated. Hold your beliefs so dear to your heart. You will need them on this journey. Make sure you are believing in something, at least.
- Do not do grad school alone! Find a community. The journey is lonely enough.
- Prioritize savings; any day could be a rainy day.
- Take advantage of the numerous resources available at Rice: CCD for career advice, CLC for writing assistance, DOERR for leadership training, Wellness Center for counseling, and the Rec Center for recreation. The list is endless.
- Actively participate in school activities to make friends, hone your leadership/ followership skills and to build networks for the future.
- Attend academic conferences and workshops to get abreast of current trends in academia.
- “You can’t Make Old Friends”- sang Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers. Maintain contact with your friends at home; do not sever it, so that whenever you go back home, you will always have your friends. It is very important to maintain contact back home so that you will miss the moon while chasing the stars. You really cannot make old friends.
- “Study to show thyself approved”- says a verse from the Christain Bible. You made it this far, only to throw away everything you have worked for. Work very hard.
- If you are an international student, try to be abreast with all international policies. Never miss an OISS email or workshop. You do not want to be caught off guard.
- Always be grateful. Appreciate any effort anyone renders to you. Never feel entitled. I mean, they could not have cared, but they did. Be grateful.
- Give back. If you have ever received help, learn to give help back to anyone who asks for it. It is not just the order of life; it is the unspoken rule for success. One good turn deserves another. “Freely you have received. Freely shall you give.”
- If you ever fall, rise again. Never remain on the fall. Pick yourself up and keep going, ask for help. Make sure you keep going.
- They say Opportunity comes but once; however, when you miss one, stop dwelling on it, learn your lessons, and move on real quick! There is a myriad of opportunities ahead of you. Prepare better and harness them all. The more you try, the more chances you have not to miss at least one. Howbeit, the show must go on!
- And YES, life can be very fair. Remain positive. Never give up! The world is full of possibilities. Rule your world, as GLO, a popular giant network provider in Nigeria, would say.
From your favorite big sister- Osy.
Osinachi Okafor
Art History
4th Year Ph.D. Candidate