Day in the Life Series #1: Emil Dzhunushaliev (MSc, SPDP)

“Stressful, enjoyable, worthwhile.” That’s how Emil Dzhunushaliev sums up his graduate school experience so far, three words that certainly resonate with almost every student’s journey through the demanding, unpredictable, and often deeply rewarding world of academic research. Emil is a second-year MSc student in Social, Personality, and Developmental Psychology (SPDP) and a member of the Motivation Influences and Social Cognition (MISC) Lab under Dr. Julian Scheffer. His work touches on complex and rather topical issues right now including political psychology and intergroup social empathy. But behind the long hours of research, coding, and data analysis, Emil relies on a daily rhythm shaped by discipline, structure, and small but meaningful moments that have allowed him to succeed in graduate school.

Emil’s Workday: Where Structure Meets Constant Change

Unlike the cinematic portrayal of grad students rolling out of bed at noon, Emil’s mornings start with purpose and efficiency. “My morning routine typically starts with getting ready to head into the office and preparing some coffee to take with me,” he says. His meal-prep already completed in advance helps streamline the start of his day, breakfast and lunch are already packed, allowing him to get his day started and out the door smoothly.

By 10 a.m., Emil is usually in the office, settling in for a day that can take many forms. He typically stays until late afternoon, but within that window, no two days look the same. “I may have a document that I need to get to my supervisor on one day, a study to run on the second day, and data to analyze on another,” he explains. Research timelines shift constantly, and deadlines are responsible for determining his structure, which is why flexibility becomes essential, but so does organization.

To stay grounded, Emil relies heavily on scheduling. “I note down everything in my calendar,” he says. “From deadlines to commute time, almost every minute is accounted for.” Emil explained that it’s also a great way to visualize where his time is going and ensure nothing important falls through the cracks. It also helps him rebalance when one responsibility begins to overshadow another.

Balancing classes, TA work, and research is a constant challenge. Emil is honest about this: “Balance is hard; it’s something I still struggle with on occasion.” Over time, he’s learned that clarity of priorities is essential. Research comes first, not because classes don’t matter, but because producing knowledge is the core of graduate education, everything else must align around that.

From Undergrad to Grad School

“It’s entirely different,” Emil says when comparing undergrad to graduate school. “In undergrad, you need to be a good student; in grad school, you need to be a good researcher.”

That distinction is more profound than it first appears. As an undergraduate, success is often defined by grades, studying, and mastering course content. In graduate school, the expectations shift dramatically. Creativity, independence, long-term project management, and resilience matter more than your GPA.

This transition was a significant adjustment for Emil. “I had to scale back how much time I committed to classes,” he says. “It was a big shock at first.” Yet it’s also the part of grad school that pushes students to grow, to see themselves not as learners receiving knowledge, but as contributors creating it.

Along the way, Emil has developed skills he didn’t expect. “I didn’t anticipate how much coding research would involve,” he admits. Knowing R helped, but learning Python became essential for the complexity of his projects. It was difficult at first but “has already paid back dividends.”

Doubt, Support, and Motivation in Grad School

Graduate school is not just academically challenging; it can also be emotionally heavy. One of Emil’s struggles has been uncertainty about the future. “It’s hard to know if you want a career in academia or industry,” he says. “Or if you even need a Master’s or PhD for what you want to do”

These questions are common among graduate students, but Emil emphasizes the importance of transparency. Being open with your supervisor allows them to support you through career uncertainty rather than navigate it alone.

This is why when motivation dips (as it inevitably does) Emil leans on discipline. “There will be moments of low motivation,” he says, “so discipline is key. Even when you don’t feel like it, you have to do work.” He even adds a crucial insight: while feelings influence actions, actions also influence feelings. Taking even a small step forward can lift motivation more than waiting for motivation to strike.

The Human Side of Grad School

Despite all the stress one may face in grad school, Emil says the most rewarding part of grad school has been the friendships he’s built. Many students move far from home for their programs, and forming meaningful connections helps transform a new city into a community. 

Outside of the office, Emil enjoys movies, video games, and weekly badminton matches with friends, a ritual that marks the end of a long, demanding week. 

And in true grad-student fashion, one of his most memorable moments is getting ethics approval. “What a long process!” he says, laughing.

Looking Ahead

Emil is still exploring exactly what career path he wants after his degree, but he knows he wants to continue doing research, potentially outside academia in the public or private sectors.

What he does know for certain is that graduate school, despite its stress and uncertainty, is shaping him in ways that feel deeply worthwhile.

And that’s the story behind his three-word summary: Stressful. Enjoyable. Worthwhile.