Hi Celeste Robert,

According to me failure is the first step in success.. don't worry you may search for the prospective suppliers who would provide a remarkable services. Our environment is a place of hard worker, average worker and the lazy not willing to do anything... So search for the best alternative... through right decision from URS....

My suggestion: start writing literature review/introduction for thesis and call CREPEC, Ecole Poly, Montreal and get info about reliable vendors.

Hi Nanda Gopal Loganathan ,

Thank you for your advice. I will keep working hard and try to find things to keep going forward.

Hi Sridhar Vadahanambi ,

I will try contacting CREPEC to see which vendors they use. Thank you very much for the tip.

Hi Céleste Robert ,

Research, by default, is an experience of periods of success (the ‘Eureka’ moments), mixed with periods patience where things don’t go your way. However, the important thing is that not to get upset with the setbacks but learn to deal with them in a positive manner. By coincidence, my PhD also involved polymer processing and I had to use equipment such as the mini two-roll hot mill and mini-injection moulder. I learned how to use and service these machines and if the workshop were busy and my moulds were going to take longer to be made, I would go into the workshop and make these myself. When contacting vendors to buy materials, always look for more than one supplier. Certain things you will not be able to control, and they will need to take their course to complete. However, during these periods, continue with work that you can control. The main thing is don’t get upset and always look for other options to solve your problems. This is all part of the research process. Remain positive and dont give up!

Hi Mohammed Yasin ,

Thank you for you reply and words of encouragement. It is greatly appriciated!

Best remedy is sit back, listen some music, get fresh, Coz ultimately things work, sooner or later, everybody have its moment. if problem is out of your hand, just close that door of your mind and start thinking about something else for the moment, and get back to problem later on ..

When I started my postgraduate studies in 1978, there was a great song at that time "which was in the top of the pops in Great Britain" and that song by Gloria Gaynor charged me with resilience & readiness to face challenges & to withstand "shock loads". It was entitled "I will survive" expressing continuity in persistence & diligence.

After graduation with a PhD, life for me became much harder & I realized that academic institutions are not places for comfort . There are various sorts of discrimination, nepotism, arrogance, fraud, selfishness, inefficiency, and pretense abounding at such places.

Once there is a "good" diagnosis of what is going on, then a person like you or me can know exactly what position or attitude to adopt. I tried to take it easy , to not be angry, and to come into "peaceful" terms with a given situation. I kept a good rapport with almost everyone around & I have never been biased with any side.

With the above recipe, I managed to succeed in passing 33 years of hardship in my last place of work ending up with too many friends & very few "expected" adversaries.

Here is Gloria with her fantastic song "together with lyrics" :

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wUWPBhKUsKw

Determining the Problem: Identifying the problems that an individual experiences in his or her life is the first step to solve them. To begin with this, you must stop worrying or fear or negative feelings for a few minutes. Problems in order to walk the path solved one by one and stop the harassment that an individual feels

Problem Solving: The following points can be used to solve problems: First, all information about the problem must be collected. After that consideration must be given to the problem of several aspects of analysis and critical analysis in a way away from the hasty judgment; judgment to make them biased as much as possible. Identify possible solutions to the problem and examine them in detail and in many ways; even choose what is most appropriate. Monitor the solution that has been chosen; to observe its results and sort them regularly, and to determine whether they are truly appropriate.

Hi Ahmar Hasnain,

Thanks for the tips. I do love to listen to some good music.

Take care,

Céleste

Hi Nizar Matar,

Great song! I was feeling more of a "Pirate Song" kind of mood, but the "I will survive" is definitely a little more motivating. I agree that a good diagnostic of the situation is always helpful. I sometimes tend to throw myself in a direction too quickly before evaluating all the possible solution. I will keep that in mind. I also agree that keeping good contact is always beneficial, you never know when you might need a hand and who will be there to give it to you. Especially in research, I've found that sometimes the helpful people might not always be who'd you think.

Thank you for your advices, here's the link to my "Pirate Song" if you're ever looking for that little paradisiac place in your head to escape to in moments of hardship:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_eJv6TtpZwA

Céleste

Not relying on others to solve problems Change begins with the person himself, so he has to overcome the challenges he faces by thinking in a good and conscious way, since only the person can serve himself, and solve all his problems whatever.

Encouraging oneself: It is necessary to remind the self permanently that it is capable of coping with various difficulties and challenges, in addition to motivating them by various means

Other factors to overcome life problems There are many factors and ways to get rid of life problems, including: Understanding the disadvantages of chronic stress, such as: headache, depression, anxiety, and insomnia. Connect with friends, and join social support. Doing things that are self-indulgent, and practicing various hobbies, such as reading, writing, walking, kayaking, skiing, and drawing. Take a rest period of about 7-8 hours a day. Exercise, as dealing with daily problems causes stress and fatigue in the body, so prefer exercise exercise, as it promotes the release of nerve neurotransmitters, which improve mood and give a sense of joy.