Scientific diving combines the magic of being underwater with the challenge of collecting meaningful ecological data. From learning to dive on the Great Barrier Reef to coral surveys in the Philippines and fieldwork for my Honours project in Sydney, diving has become central to my journey as a marine scientist. It can be exhausting, highly regulated and paperwork-heavy, but few things compare with gathering the data that ultimately drive ecological research and conservation.

Academia runs on writing, but finding time to write is hard. Between teaching, supervision, and admin, writing often gets pushed aside. This piece shares what happened when the BEAM and MAVE labs ran a focused writing retreat, and why a simple mix of clear goals, writing sprints, shared meals, and accountability helped turn writing from a solitary task into a collective habit

Completing my Honours year taught me far more than research skills. It shaped how I work, think, ask for help, build community, and stay curious. I’ve summarised 13 key lessons, along with the insights I wish I’d had at the start, to help anyone considering taking the leap.