Reflections on the First Year

#1 No one knows what they’re doing!

I'm a perfectionist and holding myself to such a high standard is probably what has got me to this point in academia. However, I have had to learn to be kind to myself and that I won’t be good at some things first time.

“Settling in and working out what on earth your project is even really about for the first few months is perfectly fine. Also, it's perfectly okay to need some help from your supervisor - you have nothing to prove to them, especially early on, and they're there to help.” - Sam.

“The biggest surprise I've found during the first year is the amount of pressure. Luckily my supervisors are great and super supportive. If I could give any advice, it would be to really ground yourself and learn to manage your mental health and Imposter Syndrome. At the end of the day if you’re doing a PhD, you were the best suited applicant. You were good enough then and you are good enough now.” - Lynn

#2 You are going to make mistakes

As part of that learning process, you’re going to get things wrong sometimes. This year I made a poster and my supervisors returned it with lots of comments which I took to be criticism and silly mistakes. My supervisor helpfully reminded me “you’ve never made a poster before, how would you know what to do? If you could already do it all, you’d already have a PhD!” A PhD is a learning process; you don’t need to know everything straight away!

"I've made lots of mistakes that have cost both time and money. However, my supervisory team have been supportive and we try to work on ways to avoid mistakes in the future. Be prepared to have these difficult moments and don't be as afraid as I was to inform your supervisors, because it happens to all of us." - Callum

“Initially, I had a limited understanding of my project, but through encountering failures I began to discern the correct path. Embrace failure as an inherent part of the research process and as a valuable learning opportunity.” - Nasim

“Be ready for changes. Planned work may take longer than expected and adapting to it will make it easier to move on. Sometimes outcomes do not align with your expectations, but always look at the other side as you’ll have picked up new skills and techniques.” – Hardeep

#3 Get comfortable reading A LOT

When I pictured my PhD, I pictured lab work (I think looking back I may largely have based this image off Amy in Big Bang Theory!). I didn’t anticipate how much time I would spend reading textbooks and articles. But reading is the only way to get to know what work has already been completed in your field, what the best techniques are to use, what questions we are still trying to answer and where your results fit. Building time into your week to keep reading is important, not only for writing your thesis but in building your understanding.

“Be organised and try to read papers related with your topic every day. You have more time than you think so don’t panic, try to learn and travel as much as possible!”- Suleyman

“Using project management techniques such as GAANT charts, time blocking and the pomodoro method can help you to focus, manage your project and make progress. It may take time but as you settle into your PhD programme and new way of learning, you will find what works best for you.” – Oyin

#4 You need to look after yourself

Coming straight from my Masters, I was used to short-term projects followed by long universities holidays. The PhD doesn’t work like that. Research spans over years and set holidays are replaced by annual leave. It’s the equivalent of changing from sprinting to marathon running.

I’ve had to learn that not every day is going to be super productive. Listening to your body and being kind to yourself is key to ensure that you enjoy your PhD and are able to keep going.

Also, when you take time to rest you will often find inspiration strikes! I’ve had some of my best research ideas in the swimming pool or on a run!

#5 Relationships are everything

Your supervisor is the one who develops your skills as a researcher, challenges your thinking and keeps you on track. They’re your tether to reality while you float through the black hole of research, so maintaining and prioritising that relationship is important.

Equally building strong relationships with your lab mates, PhD students in your department and at other universities helps to put you in a community of people who know what you’re going through. On the days I‘ve felt stressed or overwhelmed it’s been this community that’s picked me up. The quote goes that it takes a village to raise a child – I would argue it takes a village to raise a PhD student too!

Looking back on my first year, I’m so proud of all I’ve learnt both in the lab and in myself. I’m still learning (and will be for a long time) but I am on my way to becoming an independent researcher! To those of you reaching the first year point with me – CONGRATULATIONS!! And for those of you just starting on this journey – welcome to the club! It’s a crazy but brilliant ride.