How to Hack Your Daily Routine to Make Your PhD an Epic Experience

When thinking about a PhD, it is of utmost importance to remember that it is much more than just an academic degree; it is an experience that involves many processes and transformations, both personally and, of course, professionally. Despite this, if you are working, have a family to care for, and still make a great effort to study remotely, you may experience more than once that you can’t go on.

Did you know that the solution to this could be simpler than it seems? The answer lies in hacking your daily routine and, in this way, seeing the difference in every hour, hours that will become strategic allies to make this process an epic experience full of learning for your life and motivation techniques for doctoral studies.

Prepare a routine

How to keep passion and success alive after earning your PhD?

Routines will always be a great support so that you can start and gradually mark your achievements. So, at the moment when questions arise, such as: “Is there a way to organize so many responsibilities?” “Can I continue building my career online without neglecting my work?” “Will my energy last all these years of research?” The answer is yes.

It is a fact that 43% of PhD students over 35 years old have commented that the biggest factor they face before starting and while enrolled is the ability to manage time properly. But at the moment this wonderful balance is achieved, and they organize themselves at the beginning, they have a 32% higher probability of completing the program within an ideal timeframe compared to what was initially planned.

Likewise, one of the tricks to improving productivity in your doctoral studies and getting started may be to map out your 24 hours throughout the week. For example, try to keep a record of each activity in your day and the amount of time you spend on that activity, then define the time slot in which you can study without having to neglect essential elements. This should include everything: work, meals, breaks, family, and, of course, leisure. This simple exercise will be similar to creating a map in a video game before starting a new game.

Apply hacks to increase your productivity

If you are studying for a distance learning doctorate or have considered the idea, it is important to bear in mind the time it takes, the seemingly endless reading, and that unpleasant feeling that there is not enough time. Even so, with a few adjustments, you will be able to modify your routine and turn it into a driving force that will enable you to move forward. And with this, strengthen time management for doctoral students like you. Here are four ideal tips for hacking your daily routine and experiencing the epic adventure of a PhD.

1. Strategy in the mornings can be a powerful ally
People who work on intellectual projects with a high level of complexity in the first hours of the day are able to endure 20% more compared to those who do it in the afternoon. According to the University of Toronto, in 2021, for this reason, it is recommended that you reserve at least three hours per week for writing and analyzing the most important topics. Implement these daily habits to succeed in your doctoral program.

2. Improve concentration through sessions
This has been called the Pomodoro technique and consists of working for five hours, but also applying five hours to rest. This will help increase retention by at least 18%, according to Cognitive Research, 2020. In the PhD process, this type of micro-mission is a way to make progress without becoming exhausted before reaching the goal.

3. What happens in your daily life can also be academic
Simple things like listening to an audiobook related to your field while commuting or doing household chores could be of great support. For example, you could listen to a scientific podcast or some related news. All those habits are tips for your doctoral study routine. Apparently, small and not very visible, they can add up to 5 hours of additional learning for your week.

4. Promote a gamified environment
Doctorate and gamification: turn your research into a game that motivates you. A perfect approach is to create a board with your progress, for example: chapters you have already written, articles you have read, and submissions you have completed. Highlighting each one will allow you to motivate yourself and dare to move forward.

After graduating, focus on a postdoctoral routine as a lifestyle

Many doctoral students who graduate may feel that obtaining their degree will return them to a kind of normality, but on the contrary, all the knowledge they have accumulated about how to hack their routine becomes part of the competitive advantage within the lifestyle of doctoral students on a permanent basis. Keep in mind that you should maintain your productivity blocks. Those that were previously dedicated to your thesis can now be used to publish articles, write a book, or take the lead on a project at your company.

Likewise, don’t forget to treasure networking as a weekly habit. Reserve a fixed hour each week to communicate with classmates or colleagues, attend an online seminar or two, or socialize in communities surrounded by interesting topics like the ones you handle. ResearchGate (2023) reiterates that academics who have a networking routine after finishing their PhD have up to a 40% higher chance of participating in international projects.

Finally, do not forget to share your knowledge and experiences with others through mentorship and teaching. This will help consolidate your knowledge level and give you greater recognition.

Cal Newport’s hacked routine, a motivating example

This is not only about a PhD case, as researcher and author Cal Newport, a professor at Georgetown University, offers a very practical reference with the creation of his books called “Deep Work,” which consists of a guide on how to reorganize pending tasks by prioritizing those of greater complexity over simpler or superficial ones.

Newport understood that concentration blocks would help him advance much faster, for which reason he applied three-hour blocks of distraction-free concentration. At the same time, he could see incredible results, completing his PhD in computer science with impactful publications and good reviews for having done it in the estimated time. Likewise, he demonstrates how the technique of hacking the routine is an excellent academic tool to achieve results that help you build your purpose and productivity strategies for researchers in your field.

Hack your routine and achieve success!

Learning to manage your time will undoubtedly help you optimize your doctoral routine, allowing you to transform the challenges you face during your doctorate into unique opportunities. What's more, by hacking your routine intelligently, you will not only have more time, but you will also be able to better organize your priorities and turn your academic path into a journey of success.

According to UNESCO, 2% of professionals manage to complete their PhD, but don’t worry, because with the perfect hacks, you will be able to stand out and belong to this group; moreover, you may be more recognized or considered to participate in special projects or studies. So dare and build your legacy today!