Final Year PhD Student in 3. . . 2. . . 1

#1 Current thought: Time goes so quickly!!

Action: Plan for the final year with goals for each month for you and your supervisor

When I started my PhD, four years felt like a very long time. With a year to go that feeling has definitely gone! Make the most of your final year by setting realistic goals to work towards each month. My supervisors and I have agreed on deadlines for me to submit work, so they know when to expect it and give feedback. This keeps me accountable and on track, and means we all know the goals we’re working towards. As always, build breathing room into your plan for the unexpected but inevitable complications!!

#2 Current thought: I have so much left to do!

Action: Prioritise your remaining work and be realistic about what can be a future direction

I have written before about knowing when enough is enough. Science is never standalone, and work will always lead on to more options, so don’t worry if you can’t do it all. Look through your plans for the final year — work out what is actually realistic to get done and what you need to complete the story of your PhD. Other tasks can become future directions for your research and are great to discuss in the viva as potential next steps. Speak to your supervisor about this and make sure you agree on the priorities.

#3 Current thought: What’s next?

Action: Find your research interests and work out what you’re looking for. NETWORK.

Once you cross into the final year, people keep asking you what your plan is for afterwards. It can be hard to get your head around a world where you’ve finished your PhD, but it’s coming! Don’t worry if you don’t have a perfect career plan lined up (none of us do!!). The best thing to do is work out what parts of your PhD you’ve enjoyed the most and then look at what career options most closely line up to those interests. Starting the job search before you are ready to apply can help you become familiar with the terms being used and open your eyes to what other options might be out there.

Once you’ve worked out what your dream job is, network like your income depends on it (because it does!!).

#4 Current thought: What if it’s all rubbish?

Action: Tackle Imposter Syndrome head on by listing your achievements

Imposter Syndrome is something I struggled with in my first year. I’ve found it really rears its head again as you go into final year, leaving you questioning the meaning of the work you’ve completed. Try to focus on the progress you’ve made and your achievements of the week (no matter how small!). Speak to your supervisor if you’re struggling with this, as well as other students as I assure you that you’re not alone in feeling this way.

#5 Current thought: How do I pull this all together?

Action: Find your golden thread and look at it whenever you write

As you start pulling your separate studies together into the thesis, try to look at the overall picture. What is the main finding of your thesis? What is the golden thread that runs through your research? Try to write each section with this overall message in mind. A postdoctoral researcher told me that they wrote their golden thread on a post-it note and stuck it to their laptop screen so every time they were writing they could see it. I love this idea!

I hope this gives you an insight into the tornado of thoughts going round my head as I start my final year. I am excited for the potential this year holds and the thought of wrapping up all my work into a completed thesis both excites and terrifies me. Focusing on the action points and the things I can control is helping me move forward and cross that final year threshold. Come for the journey, I can guarantee it’s never boring!!

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