First year as a Ph.D student

Hmmm…

If I can define my first year in one word, it would be “challenging.” It was challenging both physicially and mentally. Life as a student meant no time on weekends and just continue work until you hit a breaking point and force to take a break. Mentally, as one of the oldest student, I kept questioning whether I came to school too late. Moving from Boston to Chapel Hill was another big transition that I didn’t expect to be that difficult. I am natually a city person who gets energized by hustling environment. As much as Chapel Hill is a great city for student, quiteness and easy going of people made me feel discouraged and felt out of place.

Despite all these challenges, my research team and advisor are one of the best that I could ask for. They are very supportive which is the most important quality that a student needs especially in a doctoral program.

I still have no regret of starting my Ph.D. journey. I hope I can make the most out of the training and become an exceptional professor one day!