Course Motivation, Well-Being, and Balance During the PhD

The workshop A1006/02 Motivation, Well-Being, and Balance During the PhD is being offered by the Graduate School of Health, Aarhus University, fall 2026.

Criteria for participation: University degree in medicine, dentistry, nursing, or Master’s degree in other fields and/or postgraduate research fellows (PhD students).

Requirements for participation: PhD student

Aim: 
The workshop is conducted in English and combines short presentations, dialogue, and practical exercises.

Pursuing a PhD can be both intellectually rewarding and personally demanding. Throughout the workshop, participants will identify factors that challenge their well-being, work-life balance, and productivity, and explore practical strategies for preventing and managing these challenges.

Learning outcomes: 
The workshop provides participants with an opportunity to reflect on their own experiences, exchange perspectives with peers, and investigate concrete strategies to support both performance and well-being.

Workload: The full workload of the course is expected to be 4 hours

Content: 
The first part of the workshop focuses on motivation and well-being, including:

• Psychological factors that support motivation and well-being, as well as the conditions that strengthen or undermine them.
• Practical approaches to balancing time, energy, and resources in ways that support both academic ambitions and personal well-being.

The second part focuses on preventing stress, including:

• How to recognize early signs and common responses to stress.
• Practical strategies for preventing stress and maintaining sustainable performance.

Instructors: Sanne Schou, psychologist, sanneschou.dk. Works with psychotherapy, supervision, counselling and management. Co-author on publications about vitalizing conversations.

Venue: Aarhus University, Aarhus

Participation in the course is without cost for:

• PhD students enrolled at Graduate School Health

Course dates:

• 19 November 2026 12:30 - 16:00