About to start my PhD. What are your top tips?

[TR888]

Hi, I am starting my PhD (part-time) in the next few weeks and would like some practical advice on how to make a success of it. I’m going to combine it with my full-time lecturing job and my young family, so I guess I’m interested in the practical aspects of managing my time, keeping my motivation long-term and so on.

Thanks!

[cardiffbird]

Congratulations! It's one of the most challenging yet rewarding things you'll do. I look back at mine and wonder how the hell I did it and I had no children then! I'd say be prepared for the lack of direction in you first year / 18 months. It can feel like you're aimlessly reading but it all contributes to that final story. Mine is in science so I spent the first year reading and repeating experiments stressing I'd never have results for a thesis but it all clicked and fell into place in my final year. Treat it as a 9-5 and try and switch off at the weekends. You need your downtime too to percolate ideas. Join Twitter and follow phdchatter and academicchatter there's amazing support out there! Good luck - be prepared for tears of frustration and joy!

[cardiffbird]

Just re-read and saw it's part time...you're going to have to carve out and timetable yourself. Talk to your academic manager about reducing your teaching workload too as you will now be contributing to research for the faculty. You should be entitled to study leave too.