My PhD Experience

Just a few days ago, another one of my dear sister friends asked me a question I have been asked on several occasions . . .

She asked, “How were you able to combine all the stuff you did while running your PhD program; being a wife, mother, blogger and obviously committed to church and other activities during that period”

I felt strongly to share my experience through this post in order to encourage you.

Here’s the thing: Of course I am just like any other person. I don’t have some super powers hidden somewhere. I believe that some of the things I will talk about in this write-up should help if you are worried about what running a PhD program looks like and if you can do this.

If you desire to do this, get your mind prepared by the fact that running a PhD program is not ‘beans’. If you study in a place like Nigeria like I did, you will understand how tough it could be.

. . . A place where you have to go from laboratory to laboratory to get your research done because you are not likely to get all the facilities in a single institution.

Or is it about the times when you are almost through with an experiment that is power dependent and the power holders decide to seize the power thereby leaving you with a totally wasted day and no other choice but to run your analysis again whenever the powers that be are benevolent enough to restore the power. Reagents, materials, time and energy resources all gone down the drain.

I experienced all of that.

Are you considering undertaking a PhD program?

That’s a great idea, I must say.

But before you set out to pursue a PhD degree, please be sure you should. You need to be really convinced that you should pursue it so that you can stand the test of time because you will most likely be faced with difficulty along the line.

In my case, one thing that really helped me push on relentlessly was the fact that I glued my eyes on the goal. I told myself I wanted to be a doctor by a certain age so I ran with that.

There were times I cried out of frustration but I never allowed those down moments linger for long. I was swift to swing back into action thanks to certain values/resources I tapped into which I believe you will also need:

• Resilience

• Patience

• Strong Determination

• Planning and being organised

• Positive mindedness

• Good support system. (You will really need this because of the down moments. Then, especially if you have a family to take care of)

I and my ‘support system’ had to make a lot of sacrifices which in the end paid off.

Of course being able to run a PhD program in a public university in Nigeria and finish in record time despite the horror stories some PhD students have to tell could only have been by God’s grace.

The God-factor is the most important for me, as far as I am concerned. The Holy Spirit was always there to encourage me. God touched the hearts of men and women in order for them to favour me. He provided the massive resources I needed. He gave me unusual inner and physical strength.

Ask God for help and He will send His marvelous help your way.

You can do all things through Christ who strengthens you!

Yours might not even be a PhD. Believe that you can succeed in whatever you set your heart upon to do.

I wish you God’s best!