In this reflective article, Gemma Rides shares her PhD experience so far and provides advice for new PhD students. She discusses the importance of talking to supervisors and other students, getting into a routine, celebrating small achievements, and remembering that a PhD is more than just writing a thesis.
This article takes the reader on a journey of a doctoral student, from applications, interviews, and building a relationship with supervisors, to coming full circle by mentoring other students starting out and facing challenges. The writer shares their advice and their own personal experience of each stage, including their fulfilling mentoring work promoting awareness of mental wellbeing among PhD students.
Dr. Chris Thompson discusses the pros and cons of completing a PhD abroad based on his experiences in Germany and Australia. While working with professional footballers and embracing new cultures were highlights, he also discusses the challenges of culture shock, loneliness, and personal struggles with mental health.
Discover how Vanessa Corcoran, a historian with a focus on medieval witchcraft, pivoted her dissertation topic to the Virgin Mary after immersing herself in coursework on medieval religious history. Learn how her decision was received by her professors, the challenges she encountered, and what inspired her to make the shift.
