How can we enjoy the process when it’s never easy or enjoyable? The path we take and the process we go through always exert pressure on our minds and mental states. It drains our energy and time—that’s a given. And that’s exactly how it should be. If the path seems too easy, something is definitely wrong with the process.
This is essentially what the educational journey looks like, especially at the doctoral level.
The rising phenomenon of academic jockeying has many causes. Among the possibilities, I predict that a results-oriented mindset drives this shameful behavior. As long as they graduate, as long as there’s a publication, does it matter how it’s achieved? Is the end result all that counts?
In reality, even though the final results, such as publications or dissertations, are graduation requirements, the arduous process experienced during the studies almost always determines whether we can survive in the working world in the future.
Why? Soft skills like attitude, critical thinking, innovation, work ethic, and resilience can only be developed through real-life experiences during the educational process. Such abilities are not automatically granted like a diploma for merely meeting the requirements.
On the other hand, my experience as a lecturer shows that the situations forcing students to take shortcuts, like using jockeys to produce publications for graduation, often stem from poor time management. Although an average doctoral program takes only three years, it’s not uncommon for students to start worrying about publications after two years from the first day of classes. Of course, this is concerning. Therefore, from the first day of guidance with their supervisor, setting a timetable alongside deciding on the research topic should be a priority.
Having a clear timetable at least provides an overview of the stages that need to be undertaken and completed.
And finally, if you want to go to school, why be afraid of a little hardship?
