#DFEAE9

To whom it may concern,

As a Ph.D. student, one of the primary challenges I faced was the lack of communication and guidance from my supervisor. Throughout my entire project, meaningful discussions about our work were rare, leaving me feeling unsupported and isolated. Despite reaching out numerous times, opportunities for collaboration and guidance were limited. Thankfully, the camaraderie and support from fellow lab members helped fill some of these gaps, but the absence of consistent mentorship took its toll.

Another aspect of my experience was the intense pressure and unrealistic expectations regarding experiment timelines. Requests to conduct experiments often disregarded time constraints, leading to marathon work sessions lasting up to 16 hours without breaks for basic needs like eating or using the restroom. This relentless pace inevitably led to burnout and a decline in my mental health. Unfortunately, when I sought assistance from the PhD office, the response was disheartening. Statements like, "Ph.D.s are challenging, everyone goes through it," seemed to minimize the severity of my struggles. The normalization of extreme stress and emotional turmoil only exacerbated the situation, making it harder to reach out for help.

It's crucial to recognize that while pursuing a Ph.D. is undoubtedly demanding, it should not come at the cost of one's well-being. Mental health challenges are not a rite of passage but a serious concern that warrants attention and support.

Sincerely,

A Burned-Out Individual Venturing Beyond Toxic Academia in TU Dresden