Daniel Morse

Research Associate, Cardiff University

BSc (Hons) Biomedical Sciences, PhD (Dentistry)

How I spent a whole academic year

The year 2017 was always going to be a pretty stressful year for me. It symbolised the culmination of four years of hard work, continuous mental angst with the imposter syndrome, and the feeling of “why must I do a PhD?” Here, I’d like to share a couple of highlights of what actually happened through the year.

Looking back on my PhD as a postdoc

It wasn’t too long ago that I finished my PhD. I vividly remember feeling elated that I had completed the journey, and also the feeling of relief that I am free from the long hours, constant thoughts about experiments and data, the worry about not making enough progress, and the ever-present imposter syndrome. 

PhD motto: If you think it, you can do it

Back in school, one Mr. Alan Bootle gave me a very important lesson on believing in myself, having confidence in my abilities, and believing that I am better than I think. This positivity has really stuck with me ever since and is a motto that I live by in everything I do, including PhD life.

Graduation week is here: I did it!

This week is the culmination of almost 5 years hard graft, some very long days, long stretches without days off, and blood, sweat, and tears. It's graduation week! I was finally able to celebrate all the hard work and fantastic support I’ve received over the years, by dressing up in what I thought was the best graduation outfit in existence.