a thing i hate (h a t e) about the academy is basically no one ever tells you when you're doing a good job. there are lots of points where people pick at you + you have to justify your own performance, but there's no regular point where someone who knows+who matters says "hey youre doing a good job"
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Unsolicited advice: it really really helps to have a few close academic friends (not nec. at your institution) for external support and validation