Tips for PhD Aspirants.

Tips for PhD Aspirants.

Do think about whether you really want to do a PhD. Being a PhD student is not the same as being an undergrad, nor like working as a research assistant. A PhD is extremely hard work requiring a lot of discipline and dedication.

Do choose your supervisor well. The quality of your supervisor will have a direct impact on how much you get out of your PhD and how good (or bad) an experience it is. Don't choose your PhD supervisor because he/she is the leader in his/her field, in fact that's the most likely way to find a bad supervisor. Talk to the PhD students already working in the lab, find out whether they are happy and get information about the supervisor's personality, level of attention (too much/too little?) and how well they plan their projects.

Don't leave the responsibility for your project to others. Don't leave it to your supervisor to tell you how to work, what to read or plan your project. This is your learning experience: Get involved and take responsibility as early as possible.

Do get support from other PhD students. When things get tough, the only people who can understand what you are going through are other PhD students (or former ones!). If there are other PhD students around you, arrange to go for regular coffee/lunch breaks with them. If not, try an online forum such as the Postgraduate Forum.

Don't waste your first year. It is easy to think that you have a long time to complete your PhD, but don't be lulled into a false sense of security… time has a habit of disappearing fast. Start out as you mean to go on. Establish a strict work and study routine, and stick to it.

Don't spend long hours in the lab for the sake of it. Make sure that when you are in the lab, you are working and not just hanging around. Many people spend 16 hours a day in the lab, but they only actually work for eight hours or less. An 8 hour day, with time away from the lab to relax your body and mind will keep you sharp and focused.

Do summarise your results as you go. From the beginning, get yourself into the discipline of writing a monthly summary of experiments performed, results andconclusions and include all lab book references/data/images. The monthly reports will link up to make a story of your research and make your write-up much easier.

Don't underestimate how long it will take to write up. However long you think it will take you to write up, double or even trebling it will be closer to the truth. The write-up is the hardest part of your whole PhD.
Do take every opportunity to practice and learn. Treat your PhD studies like an intensive training program. Listen to and learn from those around you, take every opportunity to try new techniques, present data, meet other scientists.

Most importantly… have fun…coz "All work and no play make Jack a dull boy."

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Thanks&Regards
Mahantesh.I.B
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