10 Ways to be a Good PhD Student

#1 Figure out how you work best

One of the most important things you can do as a PhD student is to figure out how you work best. Depending on how much flexibility your project allows, this could be in small chunks over a long day or one big chunk in a shorter day. You might prefer to visualise your ideas surrounded by lots of notes or work better in a tidy space.

Everyone is different. The sooner you crack your own code, the better. If you’re going to study one thing for at least three years, you need to establish a rhythm.

#2 Take an active role in your supervision

One thing that a lot of new students overlook is the opportunity to take an active role in their PhD supervision.

It’s likely your supervisor is a busy person, possibly mentoring multiple students. They can’t hold your hand throughout the process. If you want their advice then you need to reach out, instead of waiting for them to contact you. They are a wealth of knowledge and experience, so use them!

#3 Listen to your supervisor’s advice

Which brings me onto the next point: to listen to your supervisor’s advice. They may not be the expert on your topic (it wouldn’t be your topic otherwise) but they have done this sort of thing before.

You don’t have to agree with them one hundred percent of the time, but you should listen and take on board what they are trying to say. Their suggestions might benefit your PhD now… or further down the road.

Equally, after some thought, you might decide that their advice would not be appropriate for what you want to do. That’s fine too. Talk to your supervisor about why you’re making the decisions you are, and they might understand your thought process better.

#4 Create your own opportunities

One thing you will find as a PhD student is that there are ample opportunities out there, but they’re not always going to land right in your lap. Make sure to stay connected with your academic community to find out when conferences are searching for papers, or other opportunities are available.

Your supervisor won’t always nudge you to write a paper or present at a conference, so take it into your own hands.

#5 Do not get too distracted from your thesis

With that in mind, it’s important to not get too distracted. In the end, you wont pass the viva exam without a solid thesis, so that’s where you should be focusing most of your energy. Writing additional articles and papers is great, but those publications and presentations won’t be much use if you don’t finish your PhD.

#6 Join in with your academic community

Connecting with your community doesn’t always mean attending and presenting at events. You might decide to join other PhD students on pub nights or events within your own department. A PhD can be quite lonely at times. Being able to connect with other people in a similar position can provide you with extra support and keep you on track.

#7 Remember your “why”

Another important thing every PhD student should do is remember why they’re doing the degree in the first place. Doctoral research is hard. It can be isolating, frustrating and there can be long periods of no payoff. Sometimes you need to step back. Remembering why you’re doing all this in the first place can be a great starting point to reigniting your passion.

#8 Don’t compare yourself to others

Aside from loneliness or burnout, it’s also easy to believe you not performing as well as other students around you. Maybe one has written more of their thesis than you, or another has just been published. Everyone works at their own pace and prioritises different parts of the process. You should never compare the way you work and your niche research project to someone else’s. You might as well compare oranges to apples.

#9 Ask questions

Many new students are often fearful to ask questions because they don’t want to come across as stupid. Believe me when I say that nobody will think this. You’re probably asking a question that someone else was already thinking! As a PhD student, you’re not expected to know everything. While you’re surrounded by departments full of academics with knowledge waiting for you to absorb, take advantage. If you have a question, ask it!

#10 Take breaks

My last suggestion for being a good PhD student is to take regular breaks. Sometimes there’s an unhealthy work culture bred in academia that convinces people that they must work 24/7. This is completely and utterly untrue. The best students are the ones that are able to function. And in order to function your brain needs suitable rest periods, a good night’s sleep and some fun on the weekends.

You are not and never should be a work machine. Maintaining a healthy work-life balance is the best way to make it through your PhD years.