Explore the world of doctoral research and academia with insights, tips, and guidance for prospective and current PhD students. Navigate the challenges and rewards of the doctoral journey.
Starting a PhD is a monumental task, demanding personal and academic growth and creating panic about where to start. In this article, a PhD student breaks down the most important things to bear in mind when starting your PhD, making the project your own, and even enjoying the ride.
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This article details the experience of a Professional Doctorate student (and full-time working parent) suddenly becoming aware that she has ADHD – being given a new, neurodivergent lens through which to see herself, and the additional challenges (and solutions) that it brings to a PhD journey. The article offers solutions for coping with a neurodivergent brain in a world generally designed for neurotypical ways of functioning.
This article discusses the dark cloud of boredom that doctoral students may experience during the long PhD journey. It explores some possible causes of boredom, such as social media leading to comparison and disinterest in our own lives, and provides tips on how to handle it – aiming to inspire and encourage you to have a wonderful research journey ahead!
Read Andrea’s journey in forming a group of inspiring women who, after struggling in their PhDs, created a support group that changed their lives. Through celebrating successes and creating a safe space, they pick each other up and help each other achieve their goals.
In this motivational article, the author reflects on his mental health journey of realising teaching wasn’t his dream job after all and starting over in an academia-adjacent career. The article highlights the value of clear boundaries between work and home, of prioritising mental health in academia and beyond, and of being brave enough to choose another road when you reach a dead end.
Onur Cem Aygın shares advice for PhD researchers based on his doctoral journey.
Pillalamarri Srikrishnarka shares 10 tips he wish he knew before starting his STEM-based PhD program at the Indian Institute of Technology, Madras. A final year scholar, Pillalamarri emphasizes networking and time management, he provides useful links to other resources.
Anxiety is a debilitating condition that can make the simplest of tasks difficult, let alone a PhD. This empowering article follows Jake’s experience with anxiety during sixth form and university, and how once he discovered research he began to view anxiety as a superpower to keep his PhD pushing forwards. He shares anxiety-reducing techniques for when it gets too much, including affirmations and breath control, and emphasises the value of accepting anxiety in your life.
Onur Cem Aygın shares advice for PhD researchers based on his doctoral journey.
