Shit I find instead of doing my PhD

Accessibility design phd. candidate | Casual Academic | Accessibility expert | Quirky earring collector | Illustrator | UX Designer | Australian

[shitifindinsteadofdoingmyphd]

Hello!!

Welcome to my little slice of Tumblr.

I'm Libby, an accessible graphic designer currently doing my phd. in accessible design in Australia. I'm bright, colourful and quirky and love to info dump.

This is a studyblr if you didn't know 😊 I'll mostly be sharing the ups and downs of being a phd student. I'll also share my experience being a design phd student as most of what I've seen is in STEM.

So sit back and enjoy my quirkiness! Feel free to chat. I'm the human equivalent of a golden retriever and love a good chat.

[shitifindinsteadofdoingmyphd]

Day… 1158 of the PhD.

I feel as if I’m slowly descending into madness… the physical representation of my anxiety is manifesting as heart palpitations which is not fun… there’s only 121 days until I submit and yet I do not feel close to being ready.

I picked up teaching and marking to make more money because the world of adulting is expensive. But that means what little cognitive load I had spare is now consumed by the demands of students. At least it’s getting colder because I get to sit with windows open and feel the cold wrap around me so I feel more awake.

I just want to pause time and nap. And unfreeze it like no time has passed.

[shitifindinsteadofdoingmyphd]

Day 1121 of the PhD

For the past I don’t know… month? One of my colleagues who I share a space with has been hiding tiny 3d printed ducks around my desk for me to find. As of today I officially have 30 tiny ducks… the unsolicited duck army grows!

[shitifindinsteadofdoingmyphd]

Day 1082 of the PhD

As I’ve entered my final year of the PhD, I am overwhelmed by the amount of reading and writing that I still have to do. Feels like my life is just this but I can feel the end! I am getting closer to getting everyone to call me Dr.

I sense coffees, location changes and stress on the horizon for the foreseeable future! But honestly… wouldn’t have it any other way.

[shitifindinsteadofdoingmyphd]

Day 1,067 of the PhD!

I have officially drafted 3/5 of my exegesis! One chapter is going through first round of feedback and the other two are getting edited for round 2 of feedback. I can see the light at the end of the tunnel but I still have so much to do!

[shitifindinsteadofdoingmyphd]

Day 1,021 of the PhD,

Getting close to the Christmas break and I can’t wait! Been struggling with the PhD so have been trying to romanticise some moments to keep me going!

[shitifindinsteadofdoingmyphd]

Day 984 of the PhD…

Some shots from the last few days! I was lucky to attend the Disability Tech Summit in Sydney. Also got some shopping in which was great! Can’t say no to stationary 😂

[shitifindinsteadofdoingmyphd]

Day 968 of the PhD…

Been a bit stressed lately so decided to curl up on the lounge in the office to write today. Helps that it was cooler and raining because that’s my favourite combo. I was so productive.

I managed to get myself a little bit back on track which was great! Hopefully by the end of the week I will be back on track with my writing!

[shitifindinsteadofdoingmyphd]

Day 952 of the PhD…

My creative piece for my PhD is officially complete! Now to just finish writing chapters for the next 10 months until submission.

PhD gods give me the strength!

[shitifindinsteadofdoingmyphd]

Day 921 of the PhD…

Who doesn’t love creating a “murder” wall for their research and then going to the book fair? Because this has been one of my favourite days in the PhD. So important to find your people in the PhD, they have helped so much.

[shitifindinsteadofdoingmyphd]

Day 907 of the PhD

Just finished the HDR festival that my university runs. It’s like a mini conference for us to practice presenting etc. And because that’s not enough work for me I’m running workshops for my research all week! One down two to go.

I also love studying in Australia when the weather is like it is right now. Slightly chilly but sunny. So relaxing!

[shitifindinsteadofdoingmyphd]

Day 876 of the PhD…

Decided to have a cosy study session with my friend today to have a break from the office. Definitely giving cottage core vibes! Also getting so much reading done. Should have the chapter outlined fully by end of week.

[shitifindinsteadofdoingmyphd]

Day 856 of the PhD…

I’ve hit that point in the research where you hit a bump in the road and just spiral… these workshops I’m organising are doing my head in! So hard to recruit, just when you think you’ve got it! Boom!! Something happens. But today I actually feel like I’m moving forward so next week should be good. Only 14ish months till I submit…. I can do this!

[shitifindinsteadofdoingmyphd]

Day 833 of the PhD

I have officially submitted my first abstract to a conference. I hope I get accepted, I’m so ready to share my research. Feel like I finally understanding what I’m doing. Such an odd thing to say since I’m submitting next year… but this PhD has evolved so much!

Now that the abstract is done… it’s time to go back to writing the exegesis and designing this thing!

[shitifindinsteadofdoingmyphd]

Day 785 of the PhD

There’s something about editing your chapter in physical form. I was getting stuck and confused trying to edit on the computer so created a Frankenchapter which is flowing so much better! One chapter down another 6 to write!

[shitifindinsteadofdoingmyphd]

Day 772 of the PhD

Feel like I’m in a good space with my writing. The next couple of months are going to be intense but I’m so excited to see it unfold. Really loving my PhD again.

[shitifindinsteadofdoingmyphd]

Day 744 of the PhD…

Had a shitty week so far so finding the small things to keep me going!