Embarking on a six-week research period is more than just an academic endeavour—it’s a journey of personal growth, adaptation, and discovery. It’s been an exercise in change for me, both in terms of setting my schedule and adjusting to a new way of life and my research. One of the things I was told was the best part of the Laidlaw programme going in was the people, and I am so lucky to have found amazing new flatmates through the programme, from settling into a new living situation to balancing self-care with productivity, each week brought its challenges and successes. Here’s a reflection on the process, the lessons learned, and how the experience shaped both my research and my approach to independent living.  

 Week One: New Beginnings  

The first week was all about adjustment—moving into a new house, meeting my flatmates, and getting accustomed to a different rhythm of life. Amidst unpacking and settling in, I met with my supervisor to refine my research goals and was able to properly meet the Duke scholars who were visiting for their research, as I was serving as their social ambassador. This was a new role for me and I had a very positive experience with it, it was amazing to meet people from another part of the world who had a very different undergraduate experience so far than we’ve had in our seaside town of St Andrews. The excitement of fresh beginnings was palpable, but so was the slight overwhelm of juggling new responsibilities. Still, the week set the tone for what was to come: a blend of academic rigour and personal growth.  

 Week Two: Finding a Routine  

By the second week, I began establishing a routine. Balancing research with the realities of "adulting" became a priority—learning to cook proper meals, keeping up with hobbies, and ensuring I wasn’t just surviving but thriving. Cooking has always been one of the more daunting parts of living outside of halls for the first time, but this was an added and welcome challenge that enriched my free time and made me feel more on top of things as I was able to fuel myself and my research better than I had anticipated. The preliminary stages of my research were intense but immensely motivating, I initially had some trepidation about finding enough information for such a niche research topic but quickly found I could write a novel on my subject, which had me thinking about future ambitions for publication or revisiting this research for my undergraduate dissertation or possible postgraduate writings. I also found other small wins through getting back into exercise and making time for hobbies in a way I’m not always able to in term time, I’ve been working on playing the guitar a lot and have learned how to become a better musician from my flatmates, which reminded me how important it is to learn from the people around you, not just academically but in any skill you undertake. This was the week I realised that research isn’t just about the hours spent reading or writing; it’s also about maintaining a sustainable lifestyle that fuels productivity.  

 Week Three: Health Scares and Self-Care  

The third week threw an unexpected curveball: health concerns that forced me to slow down. It was a stark reminder that research (and life) don’t always go as planned. While my motivation to work on my research while I was anxious about health issues was lower, it provided a welcome distraction in the interim before I received confirmation that I am fine. Nonetheless, I had to prioritise self-care while maintaining a positive outlook. This week taught me resilience—that progress isn’t always linear, and sometimes, taking a step back is necessary to move forward.  

 Week Four: Social Connections and Research Progress  

Week four brought a much-needed boost. A ceilidh (a traditional Scottish dance night) and socials with other Laidlaw scholars provided a sense of community. I had never been to the Ceilidh at one of our local bars before, so I was able to see a new part of our three-street town, which proved to be a lot of fun. Meanwhile, my research findings were coming together, I had found most of the research I needed to start writing (of course, with the expectation that I’d find more information I needed as I went along), and I hoped to have a full draft by the end of the six-week research period. Though that goal proved too ambitious, the progress was encouraging, and I had to learn to manage my expectations a bit in spite of my excitement to get everything done.

 Week Five: Managing Expectations and Reconnecting  

By week five, I had to rework my expectations. Research doesn’t always fit neatly into timelines, something I had to accept with a bit more difficulty, given the very rigid and high-pressure expectations I usually set during the school year. This week I had the privilege to return to Brussels (where I used to live for three years) and spend a few days reconnecting with people that have meant a lot to me and that I haven’t had a chance to see in well over a year. This provided a welcome break and I was even able to attend the US Embassy’s Independence Day celebration and volunteer to support the event, which was a lot of fun and presented new challenges in it of itself, as I was doing work I may not have expected. The chance to see people who have supported me and helped me grow into the person I am today (not to mention the people who were there for me when I was applying to St Andrews) was incredibly meaningful and reminded me how important it is to have a support network – turning to peers for help is always a great option, but sometimes looking to someone with more life experience proved invaluable as well, both for advice with my academic work and my personal growth. The break refreshed my perspective, and I returned with renewed focus.  

 Week Six: Celebrating Small Wins  

In the final week of the research period, I embraced the philosophy of celebrating small victories. Working in coffee shops, dedicating time to hobbies, and acknowledging the progress made—even if it wasn’t as much as I’d initially hoped—kept me motivated. I’m currently working on my writeup and am about halfway done, and while I’ve reworked a lot of my structure and have taken more time than planned, I am really happy with how it is going so far. Research is a marathon, not a sprint, and every step forward counts.  

 Looking Onwards: 

With the formal research period over, the next phase involves refining my write-up. I’m also trying to take some time away from research without pressure, as I am going on a birthday trip to Bucharest to visit a friend and I’m really excited to explore a new corner of the world. This research experience has been transformative—not just in terms of academic output but in learning how to navigate independence, setbacks, and personal growth.