…And 5 Things That Served Me Well
When I first entered academia, I thought I was walking into a meritocracy — a world where hard work, intellectual brilliance, and dedication would naturally be rewarded. I was wrong.
Here are the five things I wish I’d known when I started my academic career and five lessons that might just make your path a little smoother.
1. Academia is a strategicocracy, not a meritocracy
When I started, I assumed the smartest people, the hardest workers, and the best teachers were the ones who got ahead. I believed that quality would be self-evident. But academia rewards strategy, not stamina. The system runs on overwork, overcommitment, and constant demands. There’s always more to do than there is time. So the people who succeed are the ones who are strategic about where they place their energy.
They focus on high-leverage work: the activities that move the needle on their careers. They understand that “doing everything” is a trap, not a virtue.
2. Work in the institution you’re actually in — not the one you wish you were in
It’s easy to fall in love with an idealised version of academia. One where everyone collaborates, workloads are fair, and good work naturally rises to the top. But every institution has its own culture, politics, and hidden hierarchies. If you want to thrive, you have to understand your university’s real operating system; how decisions are made, what’s rewarded, and what’s quietly ignored. Wishing things were different drains energy that could be used to work effectively within the system or to plan your escape from it.
3. Work allocation is not about equity
This one took me far too long to learn. I used to believe that workload was distributed fairly and that leaders had a clear overview of who was doing what. In reality, your head of department is juggling a dozen hot potatoes and they’ll hand them to whoever seems available. Not because they’re malicious, but because they need the pain to stop.
If you say yes to everything, you simply become the easiest person to offload onto. Learning to say “no”, calmly, clearly, and without apology is one of the most powerful skills you can develop in academia.
4. A PhD doesn’t train you to write as an academic
This might sound shocking, but it’s true: PhD writing habits don’t translate into the professional writing life. As a doctoral student, you have unlimited time, a single project, and someone giving you feedback. None of those conditions exist in your academic job. If you don’t develop new skills around writing process, planning, and consistency, your productivity will stall. Learning to write strategically, that is, to create, refine, and elevate your work through structured drafting is the foundation of a sustainable academic career.
5. Build your intellectual network early
The most successful academics don’t work alone. They have a network: a circle of trusted peers who share ideas, read drafts, and collaborate without judgment. This network keeps your research alive when your department feels like a desert. It offers accountability, intellectual stimulation, and protection against burnout. You need colleagues who get your work and who will tell you when it’s brilliant and more importantly, when it’s not there yet. Build those connections before you need them.
The personal traits that helped me thrive
When I look back, there are a few qualities I brought into academia that helped me stay sane and progress fast. I had strong boundaries. I didn’t open email before writing, and I protected my time fiercely. I understood that academia was a job, not my entire identity. That distinction gave me freedom. I also grasped, fairly early on, that time management isn’t about being busy, but rather, it’s about being strategic. Knowing what matters and executing it efficiently.
The takeaway
Academia can be thrilling, infuriating, and profoundly meaningful — but it isn’t fair, and it isn’t designed for your well-being.
If you can accept that and still choose to engage strategically, protect your energy, and invest in your writing and networks, you can build a career that’s not only successful, but sustainable. Because thriving in academia isn’t about doing more. Instead it’s about doing the right things with clarity, courage, and intention.