The importance of tea

Fancy place to have tea in Cape Town

Despite the fact that I am an accomplished gusher, there is no way that I could gush sufficiently to portray how much I have appreciated my friends through the whole PhD process. Not only for their constant support, subtle (and not so subtle) ways of making sure I am eating properly and saintly patience with my whining (which I have made into a full on public affair with this blog) but also because when I found out I have to resubmit - they unanimously blamed the examiner and not my own inadequacies (even if they privately thought it they didn't let me know because they are really nice people).  

It isn't sunset... but it is a good view

There may be disadvantages of staying at one university for all your studies, but I plan on ignoring them and count myself lucky to have been at UCT through undergrad, Honours, MSc and PhD. This isn't just because it is the best university in South Africa - which it is - or that it means I haven't had to move from my lovely flat with a stunning sunset view, or that I can proudly say that my campus has been a castle in this movie (there is an element of tongue-in-cheek there) or that I love that I know almost everyone in the department (I really do love that), although all that is true, but it is because I have made some amazing friends here - and crazily enough, some of them have been with me since the first week of undergrad...

Fancy Michelangelo tea goodies - not a
feature in the department

I very clearly remember the absolutely terrified feeling I had when I realised that I had moved to a whole new town - straight out of high school - and didn't know a soul. My parents driving away, leaving me in front of the ugliest building I have ever been in (which would be "home" for the year) was one of the most daunting, loneliest moments in my life. So, I can imagine that starting a PhD (or MSc) at a new institute, must be even more scary, particularly since you might be put in a hole-in-the-wall office with no one to chat to.

Admittedly this was the end of year
function, not tea, but how cool are
these cakes?

So, this is why I advocate attending tea... Big departmental welcome functions are a little intimidating if, you are like me, and can only really handle speaking to a handful of people at a time. If your department has a tea time, it means that you can meet the handful of stalwarts that go to tea every day and hopefully make some friends. Hopefully, if you become a tea regular, people will notice when you are not there and come find you where you are hiding under your desk. I can not emphasize enough how important it is to have people you can count on during your PhD, because there will be times when you feel sad, and sometimes all it takes to make things better is knowing there is someone you can whine to or go to the pub with. (I have awesome friends all over the world, all of whom make my life more wonderful in many different ways, but I specifically mean people in the same town because that makes drinking together easier)

Proof - Tea is the Source of Happiness!

Obviously, when you move to a new town and want to meet new people, most suggestions would include getting a hobby or joining a team sport. So do that too, if you have time and are passionate about something, but if you find you have too much work to do, or not interested in sport (that's me) try going to tea. (Or, do pilates at the Studio Group... because it is awesome and they notice when you haven't been for a while, and isn't that what we all want, someone to care if we are around or not?) If nothing else it gives you an excuse to stand up from your desk and drink some yummy tea!!!

Fancy place to have tea in JHB
(Westcliff)

If your department doesn't have a tea time, suggest it to the HOD -  not only is it a good time to meet people, it can also foster collaborations, provide a platform for intellectual discussion and a place for people to stay in touch with the greater workings in the department. It is a small suggestion that might result in meeting some new friends, that could make all the difference to how much you enjoy your PhD... I know that I couldn't do it without my awesome friends and the happy moments I have had with them (and the yummy meals they have shared with me!)

Or... since I am babbling as a result of free sugar at a workshop this morning... maybe you should rather read this article on how to stay sane during your PhD...

OH and Happy World Penguin Day!!!!

Student T Tests

Kirstenbosch gardens have some lovely spots for
thinking about nothing other than the sounds of
the birds and insects 

I have some amazing and generous people in my life and have recently been spoilt with extravagant gifts for my birthday and am frequently spoilt with delicious dinners. One of the most frustrating things about being a (poor) PhD student is that I can't return the gesture.


When I am in Cape Town, many of my friends are in similar situations as I am. This means that they understand the erratic hours, the lack of finances and the occasional existential crisis. They send me job adverts, and I return the favour. They understand the power of a well-timed chocolate or glass of wine (or dinner invitation).

We do PhD's (in biology) because we believe ourselves to be passionate about the environment, sustainability, knowledge and the constant desire to gain a little more understanding of the world - and - because we weren't sure that we could get a job in biology without one. We are (mostly) stumped by the idea of tax returns and marvel at the prospect of owning property (although it does happen) or having a pension plan (not that that doesn't keep us up at night).