During undergrad, let’s be honest, although it’s important to pass your assignments and attend afternoon lectures, we want to have the FULL university experience. “Hey, are you going for Dr X’s lecture?” “Yeah, neither am I, we’ll get the notes from…”. And that’s how it begins. It’s all too easy to fall into a routine of not attending practicals and lectures, and leaning on hard-working students to provide you with the material (which is of course unfair), BUT who do you blame when you’ve failed the semester? Your friend who lead you astray, or yourself?

Throughout my years at university, I’ve had my share of fun, but when it came to crunch time, I sat down and did the time, irrespective of whether or not my friends were doing the same. And thankfully, I managed to scrape through my first and second years. At the end of the day, I believe that success during your undergrad degree simply depends on you, and your ability to weigh up your priorities. Making memories with friends during these times is what university is for, BUT it’s also a test of decision-making and responsibility.

Post-graduate studies, on the other hand, are a different story. Entering a new lab with a new team is not the same as completing an undergraduate degree with a circle of friends who you sat next to in class, went out partying with, or shared your notes with. It’s actually quite the opposite. Unlike undergrad, it’s not just about “passing” instead, these are our “growing” years, the years when reality catches up to you and you start thinking of life beyond your student number. Your “company” during these years really does affect your success during your postgraduate degrees, and that’s because your “company” includes your lecturers, your supervisors, your seniors, your peers, and your support system, whether you know it or not, the people around you, always have an influence in your life, be it positive or negative.

I’ve had the privileged of being part of 2 different labs at my university, each specialising in a different field (within the same department). Believe me when I say that the type of people in your lab is vital in determining how smooth sailing your academic journey will be. Fortunately for me, this far, I’ve had wonderful experiences in both labs.

It gets tough. When you are stuck doing an experiment that never seems to work, your supervisor is continuously breathing down your neck, or the most important machine in your lab is backing up, you need those friends around you. And yes, you can come home and rant to your family about your day/life, like I’ve done countless times, but the fact is, that they just won’t understand why you’re frustrated about your bad RNA integrity, or that your cells that are choosing to not grow well, or perhaps even the frustration you’re having time and time again with the key that you’ve got to struggle with to open your lab door. But there are people who can understand your pain: your lab peers, the ones who help you kick the door open.

Of course, I hear horror stories from my friends who don’t share the same sentiments as me. Their stories always end with, “I can’t wait to get out of here, so I don’t have to see him/her/them.” These stories have helped me to realise the power that your academic company has on your degree. Excluding the role that a supervisor adds to this, your academic peer group should be your source of comfort, laughter, and support, especially after a rough day.

Don’t get me wrong, my academic circle isn’t all birds and butterflies, but it’s definitely a circle that I appreciate and look forward to seeing every day. However, it did require some effort on my part as well. Being new in a lab comes with its challenges, which I have discussed in a previous blog, but it’s always up to YOU to decide how you approach the challenge. You can be the quiet, reserved kid forever (totally fine), or you could put yourself out there, your original, authentic, beautiful self. Ask the “silly” questions, annoy the senior PhD students, and build those connections, because it can completely change your experience in academia.

To all my friends that are struggling with peers in academia, take a breath and always remember, ONLY YOU can change your path. Put yourself out there, be friendly, be unapologetically you, and you might just build amazing friendships that will remain with you and make your academic journey fun and memorable. And if you’re on the other side, be kind. Be kind to the new kids, to the new supervisor, the kid who broke the machine, or the one who ruined your experiment. It only takes a few moments of kindness to build a connection.

Life as an academic can be brutal, but with peers by your side, we can all cry together 😊

P.S. Shoutout to GH519, truly smart, kind (for the most part!) and patient people.

Ever since I was young, I have loved reading. It whisked me away to an imaginative universe where everything was possible! Fairy tales were my favorite, and I used to fantasize about being a courageous princess in a lovely gown, dancing with the handsome prince at a magical ball. And then living happily ever after…

I’ve always been fascinated by Snow White, from the initial version published in 1812 as part of the Brothers Grimm’s Grimms’ Fairy Tales collection to the numerous variations thereof. I’ve especially enjoyed Stephan Kalinksi’s retelling of the story, which converted the conventional fairy tale into an inspiring narrative. This version merged the traditional features of Snow White with a radical and modern twist in a world where bravery is valued over beauty, forgiveness is more powerful than retribution, and princesses are pioneers rather than prisoners. It resonated with my personal philosophy and caused me to reflect on some of my academic beliefs.

The fundamental storyline remained the same, but the emphasis was on bravery. Snow White was the protagonist of the story, and she was able to survive (and even thrive) due to her resourcefulness. Her behaviors were described as smart, innovative, and out-of-the-box. Snow White would embark on spontaneous adventures, climb trees, and present speeches, demonstrating an inquisitive attitude, a desire to explore new ventures, and an eagerness to gain knowledge.  Her traits reminded me of academic qualities that I aspire to.

The queen (also known as Snow White’s stepmother) was the antagonist in this story. She still had a magic mirror in this version of the story, and she begged: “mirror, mirror on the wall, who is the bravest of them all?” The queen was envious of Snow White’s bravery and was so consumed by this emotion that she never made an effort to have a relationship with Snow White.  In the non-fantasy, academic world, the same is true. We often become focused in our own interests, publications, and promotions, that we end up in rivalries and loneliness. 

The queen initiated her quest to destroy Snow White after learning from the Mirror that Snow White was the bravest. The Huntsman was ordered to kill her, and initially tied her to a tree.  Snow White was able to remain calm, be mindful, and divert the Huntsman’s attention while devising a strategy to escape. She overcame her challenges and did not hesitate to flee across the dark, magical forests. This is when Snow White stumbled into the dwarfs’ cottage and met some of her greatest friends.

Initially, the dwarfs were guarded and wary to embrace the newcomer, but quite soon they were elevating and capacitating each other, and a joyous spirit of singing and dancing enfolded.  The dwarfs’ relationship with Snow White provided valuable ideas for promoting good relationships in academia:

Look out for fellow academics: Doc is a touch haughty, but he always keeps an eye out for his friends. We can mentor one another and provide opportunities for all of us to succeed.

Give compliments freely: Although Bashful is a modest, self-conscious dwarf, he does not hesitate to lavish praise on others. Similarly, we can increase morale by extending credit and compliments.

Utilize the existing energy: Of all the dwarfs, Happy is the most joyful and entertaining, and his energy uplifts the others. If we have breakthroughs, excellent outcomes, or good news, we can share it with other academics to inspire and motivate.

Everyone has a place in academia: Dopey is widely regarded as the most popular dwarf, even though he does not say a single word. Everyone has a place in academia, regardless of who we are or who our colleagues are. You may not always be treated the way you expect, but you have no way of knowing what the other person’s intentions are.

There are power in a community: Sneezy has hay fever and allergies, and he is continuously affected by them. To deflect his sneezes, all the dwarfs work together. When colleagues in the academic or scientific community support one another, they have a tremendous amount of power and influence.

Use caution when making snap judgments: Grumpy is a cynical dwarf, yet when Snow White is in danger, he is one of the first to help. In academia, collaborations with national and international role-players are crucial, and simple judgments can have a negative impact on relationships.

Schedule time for self-care: Sleepy always appears to be in need of a nap. Maintaining relationships with others will be challenging for an academic who does not manage his or her personal well-being.

As the story progressed, Snow White was confronted with several challenges and eventually fell into a deep sleep. Upon discovering her glass coffin, the prince asked the dwarfs to tell him about Snow White and the story behind the coffin.  I loved that this version of the narrative didn’t include the prince’s kiss, and that when Snow White awoke, she could have a sensible discussion. When she was presented with the opportunity for vengeance, she chose the high road (not to get back at the queen). Instead, she chose to pursue her own ambitions and travel the world. She invited the prince to join her on her new adventure as a friend, acknowledging that they’ll be able to achieve more, together.

This version was such a thrilling, fresh inspiration. As in the Snow White story, I envision an era in which academics strengthens one another in joint ventures for the greater good of science. 

Mirror mirror on the wall, who will I call…?