u/RainyGloomyy

So I'm 25 M, graduated masters 2 years back and am doing another masters through distance course. After graduating my full time main masters I cleared state level eligibility tests during masters itself. Being studious to point of lacking any personal life my motivation to study fell dramatically after feeling I should have time to myself. But I am not scoring any good jobs while my friends are cracking it.

Realised the stare eligibility ain't worth much should score the national one but failed 3 attempts in row. Due to job, lack of motivation and just this general out of school feeling I'm struggling to study. How do others here who are now adults and studying only for interest or these competitive exams study along with work life or just the general wishing to also out of book life for first time

I struggle putting on weight but am showing some decent progress. I to gain wasn't going hard on exercise since I gain slow and lose fast but once I was stabilising on 62 with 63 kgs being fine as a goal for becoming healthy for me I started exercising more to shape myself properly and immediately went back to 58-59.

Any advice? I go on walk, exercise in morning then yoga before sleep. I have diary such as cheese, paneer for protein also eggs and chicken. Being Indian roti and rice daily by default

Myquals are MSc, MSW ongoing and in admission process into PhD

I only have a single paper published but it's in a local bad journal. It's been 2 years since graduation and I'm almost in the PhD program. I have bunch of ideas and a few on editing stage. But it's so tough to find any reputed free journals and then them not taking forever for a single response.

I have papers that are in review hell for 2 years to a point I pulled them back and decided to get in phd program to take my guide help for them. It's annoying and discouraging.

I'm tired with my love for research fading. The good research jobs need publications with one paper getting one mark in the criteria which adds to the anxiety. If a single paper takes years if I want to do good work and publish in good journal how am I supposed to get a job as a young scientist without burning money over journals that don't give anything in return.

I'm sorry if I come out whiny I'm just overwhelmed as a newbie in academia and wish for guidance

Although never with complete dedication I have given 3 attempts with one as a trial during masters of CSIR NET. I haven't even cleared phd cutoff. I joined job after masters itself and cleared state qualification in masters itself so I was never dedicated enough I would shamelessly admit but seeing my friends clearing all exams and going ahead is making me feel depressed.

Everyone is casually rejecting IITs to go abroad and I'm still in application process of PhD in a local college and on contract basis in a college. I feel utterly depressed. I had non existent personal life in college and still have nothing going on. I feel maybe clearing CSIR NET will help a little with my self confidence and career. What should I do? How should I prepare?