Anxiety and being an imposter
Look at the 4 floor library, isn't this awesome. Just coming here everyday to a place so peaceful is, I would say, a privilege. Sometimes I wonder...
By Kartik Mandar
7/16/2025Life of an Academia Student
An honest look into what life is really like for students and researchers in academia.
For High School Students: This page is specifically designed for incoming high school students who are thinking of going into research!
Personal Stories & Experiences
Real stories from the academic journey - the successes, failures, and everything in between.
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A day at IIT Indore
Well it's a Sunday but rather than resting, working on " Hard X-Ray Observations of Cygnus X-1 with NuSTAR " paper. I mean not saying the work is not...
By Kartik Mandar
7/13/2025
Starting this website
Well finally after 3 months of work this website is done. I have much more content (like projects, talks, posts), but migrating the postgres database...
By Kartik Mandar
6/24/2025The Academic Journey
Each stage brings its own unique challenges, growth opportunities, and revelations.
Undergraduate
3-4 years
Foundation building, discovering research interests
Key Challenges:
- Heavy coursework
- Finding direction
- Time management
Masters/Research
2 years
Specialization, first research experience
Key Challenges:
- Thesis writing
- Research methodology
- Literature review
PhD
4-6 years
Independent research, becoming an expert
Key Challenges:
- Imposter syndrome
- Long timelines
- Uncertainty
Postdoc
2-4 years
Building research profile, job hunting
Key Challenges:
- Job market
- Publication pressure
- Mobility
Academic Career
Never Ends
Teaching, research, service
Key Challenges:
- Tenure track
- Funding
- Work-life balance
The Financial Reality
Let's talk about money - because passion doesn't pay the bills (but it might barely cover them).
PhD Stipends
In India: ₹37,000-₹42,000/month for PhD scholars (JRF/SRF). Just enough to survive, rarely enough to thrive.
Funding Sources
Multiple income streams keep academics afloat: fellowships, teaching assistantships, research grants.
Long-term View
Academic careers require patience. Financial stability often comes later but can be very rewarding.
Ready to Join the Academic Community?
Academic life isn't for everyone, but for those called to it, it can be incredibly fulfilling. The world needs curious minds pushing the boundaries of knowledge.
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