Chapter 6: Tying Life Together

For me, the hardest part about my doctoral program isn’t the amount of reading or writing that I do. Even narrowing my research focus to begin my dissertation isn’t as hard for me. The hardest part is seeing a family member go through the worst moments of their life and you, alone, lack the ability to significantly help without sacrificing other things you also care about. Since enrolling into my doctoral program my life has been a unique balancing act. On one side I have my mother, who is very important to me. On the other side I have my academic priorities and career aspirations. My life story doesn’t allow me to drop either side, or even focus on one more than the other. Before I share with you how I try to maintain work-life balance within my doctoral program, I want you to understand how difficult keeping the balance can be by understanding my past.