1. Starting Your PhD Graduate Training Unit Dr. Jen Winter

3. Why have you chosen to do a PhD?

4. “ In the first few months, you may feel like a fraud. This is normal.” PhD in Maths, completed summer 2008

5. What is a PhD? Scholarship Apprenticeship Training

6. Scholarship 3-4 years Original Piece of Research Meaningful addition to knowledge Publishable Quality

7. “ Remember that a science thesis is just a collection of figures showing data. The text merely describes the data (results), why it’s important (discussion), and what you need to know to understand it (introduction).” PhD in Biology, completed Winter 2007

8. “ It’s only a PhD. ” PhD in Comp.sci., completed Spring 2007

9. Apprenticeship Responsibility/ Integrity Independence The PhD is the process of producing a researcher as well as a piece of research

10. What are the Skills and Qualities of a good researcher?

11. Training Competent in research skills Employability skills Challenging your personal and interpersonal management skills as well as your intellect

12. A: research skills and techniques B: research environment C: research management D: personal effectiveness E: communication skills F: team-working and networking skills G: career management Joint Statement of Skills

13. Your Supervisor and You

14. “ Getting on with your supervisor is infinitely important. (My dad told me this, but I didn’t listen. I wish I had...)” MPhil in Maths, completed summer 2007

15. What do you want from your Supervisor? What do you think they want from you?

16. “ Formal supervisory meetings, at which substantial discussion of research progress and plans takes place, should be held at least twice a term […] A meeting with the supervisor, if requested by the student, will take place within one week, as far as practicable.” University Policy on Research Degree Programmes

19. It is considered good practice for the student to draw up a record of formal supervisory meetings for approval by the supervisor. This should include the date of the meeting and a summary of the content of the meeting and of future actions to be performed. University Policy on Research Degree Programmes

21. “ Don’t rely on your supervisor to push you. Learn to push yourself.” PhD in Philosophy, completed 2002

22. Note-taking

23. “ Write up your research as you go. Nothing is worse than trying to decipher 3 year old notes.” PhD in Maths, completed summer 2008

25. Ways to Organise the Mass of Information Chronologically by publication date Thematically Chronologically by when you accessed it By Chapter of your thesis Alphabetically by 1 st Author

28. Project Planning

29. “ Plan to finish in 4 years, and if you finish early treat it as a bonus.” PhD in Comp.sci. Completed Winter 2008. “ Start the ground running with the intention to finish in three years.” PhD in Biology. Completed Winter 2007.

30. What are you going to do with your time as a PhD student?

31. 0-6 months : survey literature and learn to use relevant tools 6-12 months : deepen understanding of the 'problem' and devise solutions 12-18 months (halfway!): engrossed in research 18-24 months : begin to wind up data collection 24-30 months : complete solution and review recent literature 30-36 months : written thesis, ready for viva One Way to Get it Done Recommended by Vitae

32. “ There will be times when it will be considered ‘normal’ not having any progress for a month, but not having any progress for six months may be a worry.” PhD in Comp.Sci. 4 th year

33. Slumps

35. “ The PhD is a very lonely process. There will be no one but you who knows a lot about this subject and sometimes even your supervisor will look at you with ‘blank’ eyes when you are explaining what you did last week. Make sure you love tackling problems alone.” PhD in Comp.sci. 4 th year

37. “ Post-It of the Week” on a blog by a current PhD student. www.zoeadokierski.blogspot.com

38. Sources of Support

39. “ Socialise with people from your department and college. Join societies and practice some sport. Focusing only on your PhD burns you down. If you do it, by the end of your first year you will be sick of your PhD, depressed and tired.” PhD in Comp.sci. Completed Summer 2008