P-PhDF Syndrome

Lulu was sufferring from the "P-PhDF" syndrome until she went and consulted her 'doctor' yesterday.

P-PhDF or Pre-PhD Fear Syndrome:
causes: reading blog "survivngthephd" and webpages on how to survive a phd etc, and after reading, think too much
symptoms: worries, gastric pain, insomnia+panda eyes

So after suffering it for days, she decided to go see Dr. Ed. Why? Because he has gone thru the whole process of phd and survived, and he was and will be Lulu's supervisor (the Boss of I-HMGL), so he will be an ideal person to seek for 'medication'.

And Lulu is really glad that she dared herself to see Dr. Ed. She understands better what it is like to be doing a PhD, what are expected from her part, and what awaits her at the end of the journey. Much more prepared. It was an hour long chat. Most of the time, Lulu was listening, nodding her head, or laughing, asking a question once or twice in between. She can't really recall everything after the chat, but she remembers pieces of advices:

...of course it is going to be difficult! if anyone tells you Phd is a piece of cake or kacang, that person must be lying...

...phd is not really about the intelligence, it is more about the character or personality, the perseverance, not giving up...

...some call Phd as Permanent Head Damage but the word 'damage' is too harsh. Yes, it is a burden that you have to carry with in that period of time, but it is like a mother taking care of her own child...

...don't separate it from your life, but never let it kills you...

...it is not merely education as many have believed, it is one of the journey in life...

...some may start the journey running, then they will jog, walk and crawl towards the end. some may leave the journey in the middle, but some people will just continue walking with broken legs and arms and crawl if they have to, until they reach the end...

...it is like walking in a dark long tunnel, there seems no hope and it is difficult to go on, but at the end, when you see gleams of light from the end of the tunnel, and when you reach there, you'll feel the happiness...

...believe me, the happiness would be so great, it's one of the happiness in life...

...the happiness of completing something, satisfaction of accomplishing it, you feel 'transformed' into another person...

...you'll need to read a lot, equip yourself with whatever knowledge that is related, deep interest, having a good professional relationship with the supervisor, not giving up, some luck, and lots of prayers and faith, yes prayers, and you can make it...

Well, all these seemed to be useful for Lulu. They eased her symptoms a bit. At least, she felt pretty much encouraged now! I trust that she will go on from now on with courage, although she might fall down, she will continue walking until she see the light at the end of the tunnel. And, thanks a lot, Dr. Ed!!!Lulu's really grateful to have you as her mentor.

p/s: if you have a dream or something that you have always wanted to do, go for it! do not stand still just because you are AFRAID to. Even though you might fail, failing is always better than not doing anything. anyway, how do you know unless you try it out?