Gemma Rides (She/Her) is a PhD researcher and Teaching Associate in the Department of Psychology at Royal Holloway, University of London. She is interested in the relationship between adolescents' social media use and mental health. Her PhD research is focused on understanding the links between adolescents' online social communicative behaviour, in particular their use of likes, comments and shares, and levels of anxiety and depression. Follow Gemma on ​Twitter: @Gemma_Rides

PhD Abroad: How to Navigate Intercultural Interactions 

Are you studying for a PhD abroad? Are you worried about integrating meaningfully into your PhD life in a different country? In this article, Dai Wenqi explores how to socialise and adapt to a new culture during your PhD abroad, providing advice from her lived experiences to help you enjoy your doctoral life to the fullest. This includes respecting and engaging with the culture of your host country, learning the language (but forgo the pressure of perfect fluency), and leaning into your unique personal charm.

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Floundering First Steps: The First Month Of Starting A PhD

Starting a PhD can be daunting at the best of times, but even more so during a pandemic. In this article, Olivia Eve Arkley shares her experiences and advice for making the most of the first month of a PhD, including practical tools and mental skills to aid completion. She also discusses the importance of becoming part of the academic community and carving out your own place within it.

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