Per aspera ad astra

 

Photo by Andrew Ridley on Unsplash

When the Perseverance Mars rover landed in February this year, it marked the culmination of years of planning, building, and dedication by everyone involved. This incredible achievement made me reflect on what "perseverance" means - and how it has shaped my own journey.

I am currently a second-year PhD candidate at the University of Glasgow, exploring the use of Virtual Reality in psychology research. For the first time, I feel a sense of clarity and confidence about what lies ahead. But getting here was far from straightforward. My path involved restarting, re-evaluating, and rethinking many aspects of my life.

It’s never too late

Choosing a life path is rarely easy. Many of us are guided straight from high school into higher education without the chance to reflect on what we truly want. Later, it’s not uncommon to feel trapped in a career path, believing it’s too late to make a change.

After graduating in 2009 with a degree in Illustration and Graphic Design, I moved to London, hopeful and determined to make my mark in the art world. But London in 2009 was a tough place. The economic downturn made jobs scarce, and my dreams of becoming an illustrator began to slip away. Meanwhile, I found myself drawn to popular science books and captivated by characters like Ellen Ripley in Alien and Ellie Arroway in Contact - strong, driven women breaking boundaries and chasing knowledge. I often caught myself asking, What if...?

In 2011, I took a leap. I packed up my sketchbooks, pencils, and Anne Rice novels and moved to Scotland to begin again - this time, studying psychology.

Many students face similar crossroads. Some leave university, change fields, or get lost in between. But one truth stands firm: in our teens, we rarely know exactly where we want to be. And that’s okay. It’s never too late to change course - whether you're 18 or 80.

Initiative and flexibility

As a mature student at the University of St Andrews, I had valuable life experience to draw from. I started teaching graphic design, collaborated on various projects, and became active in student societies. My workspace was divided - art materials on one side, lab reports and science textbooks on the other. I managed both worlds thanks to my initiative and adaptability.

The best advice I can offer: don’t be afraid to ask. If there’s a research project you want to join or an outreach idea you’d like to develop - ask. What’s the worst that could happen? A firm “no” is rare; more often, you’ll start a productive conversation. But remember, flexibility is just as important. Plans change. When they do, you can either stubbornly push forward or take a step back, reassess, and adapt. Choosing the latter often means you’re already moving in the right direction.

Perseverance

I graduated with a BSc (Hons) in Psychology in 2015, knowing I wanted to teach and work in academia. I moved to Glasgow and began applying for PhD programmes. It took several years, during which I worked a variety of jobs - from bridal consultant to project manager. My funded PhD position came about by what felt like sheer chance.

There were countless moments when I felt like giving up. Each rejection chipped away at my confidence. But I kept hoping. And while support from friends and family is vital, ultimately, perseverance comes from within. Never give up - but also be prepared for alternatives. Envision your dream job, then build a roadmap: Plan A, Plan B, all the way to Plan Z. Keep refining your direction. Stay focused on your goals and stay flexible in how you reach them.

Discovering yourself - and learning how to turn perceived disadvantages into strengths - is one of the hardest things you’ll ever do. But don’t be afraid to show how passionate you are about the path you’ve chosen. Find your unique voice and hold onto it. Persevere. And, without slipping into motivational clichés, remember: behind every journal article, academic chapter, and research proposal is a person just like you - someone navigating imposter syndrome, chasing deadlines, and more than willing to help... if you just reach out.