Lessons Learned in a 4-Year PhD Journey
Delve into the insights gained during a 4-year academic pursuit, including the importance of journaling, maintaining a timeline, and organizing a database of readings. Learn how to stay on track and manage overwhelming moments effectively.
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PhD Tips and Tricks Alexia Revueltas Roux 4thyear PhD student @alererou
Welcome new academic warriors Let s do a quick exercise: Write in a post-it: 1. Why did you decide to do your PhD? (any answer is valid) 2. Write down 1 or 2 fears of things that may go wrong
Lessons Ive learnt throughout my 4 years Academic Lessons Keep a journal of your PhD: what you did in the day thoughts around the work you did that day reflections of articles you read through the day things you need to work on the next day(s) How can it help? Keep track of your thinking and writing through time Gets you in a writing zone No pressure of what you write and gets interesting ideas to return to
Lessons Ive learnt throughout my 4 years Academic Lessons How can it help? Have a timeline Helps you plan long, mid and short-term For the 3 years Helps you be more realistic with your timings (over/under estimation) (divided by months) Per year (divided by months) Helps you notice everything you have accomplished over time general overview Helps you adjust your time in a short-term period Per chunks of 3-4 months (divided by weeks) with more specific tasks Helps ground you when you feel overwhelmed
Lessons Ive learnt throughout my 4 years Academic Lessons Keep a database of the papers/books you have read to refer back to them Summarise main point of each reading: literature, methods, population, results How can it help? Helps remember key points of each reading Good reference document to use throughout your PhD Helps keep track of everything you have read You can update constantly
Lessons Ive learnt throughout my 4 years Academic Lessons I use OneNote to keep track of notes, thoughts divided by topic How can it help? Keep everything in one place on the cloud Easy to search for keywords Unlimited space for pages
Lessons Ive learnt throughout my 4 years Supervision Lessons Always be honest with your supervisors: About your feelings around your research If you disagree with them in something, say it! they can help you (guidance, refocusing, It helps with your thinking managing) clarifies both of your thinking/rationales, identify other topics/perspectives and how to Ask them questions whether you are address them, defend your work. unsure or to confirm something About the things you don t know or haven t you will either have great discussion or be done all on the same page. helps your supervisors with tracking where you are
Lessons Ive learnt throughout my 4 years Supervision Lessons Ask to record meetings if you need to Helps to manage the stress of writing everything down and lets you ask and Keep a meeting brief/summary after every meeting answer with more freedom *What you have done before meeting *What you want to discuss/need help with Speak up if something doesn t feel right *Feedback to other supervisor, to peers or to the *Next steps PGR director *Actions (and by whom)
Lessons Ive learnt throughout my 4 years Personal self- care lessons Try to set yourself a regular working schedule Yes, this also includes breaks. Rest time is just as important as worktime (weekends, holidays, week-days off). Do not isolate yourself. Talk to other PhD Students about the bad days and also the good days. Get a hobby that brings you joy Do not compare yourself to ANY other PhD student Everyone s research is different and it will take different times at different moments.
Beware of the Monster Imposter Syndrome! * Mine is called Hugh ** Everyone has felt it (some more than others) *** Easier to detect by others! **** Nothing it says is true
Into the land of uncertainty Embrace it but be kind to yourself It s all about the skills you acquire Every mistake increases our chance to learn and make progress You are here to train and improve your research skills not to be a perfect established researcher It is a marathon, not a sprint
I Hope you enjoy the ride even though temptations will arise!
