Week 18: The Small Pieces in Life

It’s been a while since I stopped to think about how life is going and how I’ve been feeling about all the changes that come with moving forward. When I take a moment to check in with myself, I notice a mix of emotions: excitement, happiness, frustration, and a sprinkle of tiredness.

Even with all those feelings, I couldn’t be happier to keep progressing. Every challenge brings something new to learn, and each change helps me discover more about myself and what I’m capable of. That’s what I want to focus on this week: making space for the full range of emotions that come with change, while staying open to whatever the next step brings. So lets get started...

Missing The Point:

I think one thing we can easily do is lose sight of the bigger picture in a conversation or experience. We may focus on the details and forget to ask ourselves: Why does this matter to me? What is it about this that I value?

Those questions lead us into a more philosophical way of thinking. They invite us to look beyond what we like or dislike and consider the meaning behind it, how it connects with our values, experiences, and sense of purpose. Taking time to reflect can help us understand ourselves better and see a topic from a wider perspective.

This way of reflecting develops over time, and it can help strengthen both your character and your confidence. When you take a moment to look back on an experience, you may notice things you missed at first: what mattered to you, what you learned, or how your perspective has changed. Sometimes, a little distance is all it takes to see something in a new way.

How can we stay open to a conversation and avoid missing the bigger point? The honest answer is that we won’t always get it right. Our mood, energy, and timing can all affect how well we listen.

Imagine you’ve had five meetings and only five hours of sleep. Then someone comes to talk to you about an idea or a project. You may find yourself focusing only on the details that seem most urgent, while other parts of what they’re saying slip past. It doesn’t mean you don’t care; you may simply be tired and low on attention.

When you notice that happening, it can help to pause and be honest. You might say, 'I want to give this my full attention, but I’m feeling a bit worn out. Could we talk about it later?' If the conversation needs to happen now, try asking a question or briefly repeating back what you’ve understood. A little patience with yourself, and the other person, can make it easier to hear not just the words, but the point behind them but again, you can always talk to them again afterwards to get more information.

In conclusion, understanding the main point takes time, patience, and most importantly careful listening. Try not to rush through a conversation; give yourself space to take in what’s being said and ask questions if something isn’t clear. Making notes can help, too. They give you something to look back on later, when you have more time to reflect on the conversation and what mattered most.

Post Graduating: The Importance Of A Supervisor

I’ve only just started my postgraduate journey, but even before it begins, there’s an important task to think about: finding the right person to guide you through your research. This is known as choosing a supervisor.

An academic supervisor is a university faculty member or experienced researcher who supports and guides a student through their dissertation or thesis. They can help you shape your research, work through challenges, and develop your ideas along the way.

Some people say choosing a supervisor matters more than choosing the project itself. I can understand why: you’ll be working closely with this person, and their guidance can have a big influence on your experience. At the same time, the project matters too. It should be something you’re interested in and motivated to explore.

For me, the choice feels like a 50/50 balance. A research topic that excites you can keep you engaged, while a supportive supervisor who has experience within that field can help you make the most of it. Finding the right combination of both seems like a strong place to start.

As I mentioned before, when I was finishing my undergraduate degree, I didn’t feel ready for my journey to end. I wanted to continue studying because my passion for research was still growing.

I was assigned a incredible supervisor for my dissertation, and I honestly couldn’t have asked for a better experience. They inspired me, helped me become a more thoughtful writer, and encouraged me to spread my research wings. Their guidance showed me how much I enjoyed research and strengthened my desire to keep pursuing it.

It also helped that their research interests were closely connected to topics I was excited about and his experience within this field was incredible. Having that shared interest made the work even more engaging and helped me imagine what I might explore in the future. Looking back, that experience played an important part in deciding to continue my research journey.

That’s when I knew I wanted to keep researching in this field. I felt confident that my dissertation supervisor understood my interests and could support me while encouraging me to stretch myself. Moving into postgraduate study is a new step, with challenges and expectations that can feel very different from undergraduate life, so having someone familiar to guide me made me feel more confident about the journey ahead.

I also chose an excellent second supervisor, whose expertise connected with another side of my research interests. I learned a great deal from them, and their enthusiasm for her work was genuinely inspiring. They was also one of the people who helped draw me to the university in the first place. Having both supervisors’ perspectives and support made me feel even more certain about the path I’d chosen.

At the end of the day, I’m truly grateful to have the support of two experts who are so passionate about their fields. I wanted to share my experience for anyone who is looking for a supervisor or finding the search difficult.

It can take time to find someone whose expertise and approach feel right for you, so try not to rush the decision. Look for a person who understands your interests, communicates clearly, and can offer both encouragement and thoughtful guidance. The right supervisor won’t make every part of research easy, but a supportive working relationship can help you feel more confident as you navigate the challenges. And if the search is taking longer than you hoped, remember that it’s okay to ask questions, seek advice, and keep exploring your options.

Advice For Teens:

Ah, the teenage years, the stage of life when people may expect you to act like an adult while still treating you like a child. One moment you might feel angry, and the next, suddenly sad. It can make you wonder why your emotions can’t just choose one feeling and stick with it!

Yes, I’m talking about entering your teens. It’s a time of lots of changes, new expectations, and emotions that can sometimes feel confusing or intense.

The teenage years bring many changes, both physical and emotional. You may grow taller, notice your body changing, and find that your thoughts and feelings are shifting too. Sometimes it can be hard to understand exactly what’s happening, but change isn’t necessarily a bad thing. It’s part of growing and learning about yourself.

Jarrett (2018) discusses how experiences during adolescence including stress and changes in mood can influence brain development. During this stage, you may find yourself questioning who you are and what matters to you. The people around you can introduce you to different ideas and possibilities, which may lead you in new directions.

One of the hardest parts of being a teenager can be coping with all the changes happening at once. A major shift is becoming more aware of the social world and how other people might see you. You may start thinking more about your appearance, your interests, and the kind of person you want to be.

That extra self-consciousness can feel uncomfortable, especially when it seems as though everyone else has it all figured out. But people are usually working things out for themselves, too. Your interests and sense of style may change as you grow, and that’s a normal part of discovering who you are.

Many teenagers also feel as though nobody understands what they’re going through. Those feelings can be lonely, and it’s important to acknowledge them rather than dismiss them. Even when others have had similar experiences, your feelings are still your own and deserve to be taken seriously.

If you’re feeling this way, talking to someone you trust may help whether that’s a friend, family member, teacher, or another supportive adult. You don’t have to explain everything perfectly just having those chats or even sitting with someone can make you feel a lot better.

Teenage life can be challenging, and everyone experiences it in their own way. I like to think of it as a flower’s final stage of blooming: the changes may feel uncomfortable, but they can help you grow into yourself and discover who you want to be. You don’t have to rush that process. Give yourself time, and remember that becoming yourself is something that happens little by little.

Being a teenager can bring amazing moments, too: making new friends, trying activities you haven’t done before, and discovering the interests and passions that make you feel like yourself. Give yourself time to enjoy those experiences, and remember to look after yourself along the way. You don’t have to have everything figured out to make the most of this stage of life.

Weekly Funny Moment Of The Week: The Bus Incident

I think we can all agree that UK public transport can be unpredictable. Delays and cancellations seem to happen for all sorts of reasons, sometimes it feels as if a duck has somehow wandered onto the tracks.

I had two induction sessions over the weekend. After getting home on Saturday, I was exhausted and fell asleep, thinking I’d sort out my train plans the next morning. I woke up early, as usual, checked the train app and discovered there were no trains running to where I needed to go.

Time for a backup plan. I figured that if I could get to a bus stop with a route to my destination, I might still make it. I asked someone to drop me at the bus station, then ran like a mad woman to catch the bus. Somehow, I made it to the session (late) but still there.

I was relieved to get there, but the whole journey was a bit of an adventure. Public transport, please can we make getting from A to B a little less dramatic?

What does Teamwork Actually Mean?

I felt this topic was important to talk about because teamwork came up during one of my sessions. Someone suggested it wasn’t all that important, and that really struck a chord with me. I believe that being able to work with others is a valuable skill in many parts of life. Whether we’re studying, working, or taking part in a shared project, listening to different perspectives and contributing as a team can help everyone move forward together.

I’m not saying that working independently isn’t valuable. It can help you build confidence, develop new skills, and learn to rely on your own judgement. But working with others matters too. If we dismiss other people’s perspectives, we may miss useful ideas or make it harder to move a shared project forward. Listening doesn’t mean we have to agree with everything; it means being willing to understand different viewpoints and consider what we can learn from them.

Being part of a team can support both your own development and the people around you. Working together can help a group share the workload, approach problems from different directions and communicate more clearly. It also gives you a chance to practise listening, offer your own ideas, and learn from other people’s strengths. When everyone feels able to contribute, the whole team can benefit.

I do understand in some ways why people might feel differently. Teamwork can bring its own challenges, and the dreaded university group projects is a good example to talk about, you’re paired with people you may not know and have to work together to produce something.

Even when a group doesn’t work smoothly, I’ve found there can still be something to learn. You might need to adjust your approach, communicate clearly, divide up the work, or find a way to keep the group moving towards the goal. Those situations can be frustrating, but they can also help you build skills for working with different people. Of course, good teamwork doesn’t mean every group will be easy, it means learning how to contribute and adapt when things get complicated.

Working in a team can also reveal strengths you didn’t know you had. I remember feeling really shy about presenting during one group project, but when it came to planning and organising, I was in my element. That experience helped me see that I had a real strength in keeping things organised and helping the group stay on track. You might discover that you’re good at encouraging others, solving problems, coming up with ideas, or bringing people together. Sometimes it takes working alongside other people to notice what you naturally bring to a team.

In conclusion, I believe it’s helpful to look at both sides of the biscuit. Teamwork has its positives and challenges, and no two groups will be exactly the same. But avoiding it altogether or giving up after one difficult experience may mean missing the chance to learn something new about yourself and others.

Keep trying, stay open to different ways of working, and take each experience as an opportunity to grow. You don’t have to get everything right the first time; sometimes the most useful lessons come from simply giving something a go.

End Of Blog Sign - Off:

This has been my first weekend off in a while, and it feels so good to finally catch up on some rest and relaxation. I hope you’ve been able to make a little time for yourself, too.

As winter approaches, I’m wishing everyone a warm, safe, and peaceful season. And if you can, please look out for others along the way, a small act of kindness can make a real difference.

Until Next Week

Aisha.