Notes From My First Year of a PhD

Picking up new skills (and panicking a little along the way)

A big part of the year was learning completely new techniques and optimising protocols that made almost no sense when I first read them. There were definitely moments of panic as I attempted to figure out the best buffer solutions for various antibodies or how to get certain chemicals to actually dissolve. Slowly, things started to click and I fell in love with lab work all over again.  

Stepping outside my comfort zone

A big part of this year was doing things that pushed me well beyond what felt comfortable at the start. One of the biggest moments was giving my first invited talk on PTSD models and mechanisms. I was definitely nervous but it ended up being genuinely exciting talking about something I care about with people who were actually interested. Running journal clubs for Masters students was another highlight. Preparing for those sessions made me think more deeply about the papers. The discussions that followed were always thoughtful and full of good questions. All of these experiences were a little daunting at first but they also helped me grow in ways I didn’t expect.

The people who made it possible

This year wouldn’t have been half as fun without the people around me. I’m lucky to be part of a supportive lab where someone is always willing to help or cheer you on when you need it (and yes, the steady supply of chocolate cake definitely helped too!).

Looking ahead

This first year has been intense, frustrating and a bit of a whirlwind but I’m genuinely glad I started this journey. I’ve learned more than I expected — not just about science but about patience, problem-solving and resilience. I know there will probably be more dropped samples as I navigate the years ahead but I’m excited to keep going!

So, if I had to give advice on how to make the most of your PhD, it would be this:

Do:

• Ask for help — no one expects you to know everything.
• Don’t take mistakes too seriously — experiments go wrong and that’s normal.
• Celebrate small wins (preferably with chocolate cake).
• Take risks and put yourself out there — getting out of your comfort zone is scary, especially when you feel like the ‘newbie’ in a sea full of experts, but it opens up so many fun opportunities you might not even know exist otherwise!

Don’t:

• Expect perfection — no one ever had the ‘perfect’ PhD. Things fail, plans change and that’s part of the learning process.
• Compare yourself too harshly — everyone’s path is different.
• Lose sight of why you started — the exciting moments make the hard ones worth it.