I will be starting a PhD in October, having recently secured ERC funding.

What is everyone's advice on preparing for it, and what I should do when I start? I want to ensure that I do not waste any time, and give myself the best opportunity at securing a job in 3 years time.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

hi PhilosophyPHD
welcome to the forum! Congratulations on your new beginning!
My advice to you is to make a gant chart--plan out for 3 years, plan out for the 1st year, and keep going back to look at it. Life goes on in the midst of our phd, stuff happens.
If your research involves Ethics application or you need to purchase lab materials etc., give yourself more time allowance in case there are delays.

best of luck
love satchi

Hi Philosophy PhD,

congratulations on securing funding!! Advices (you always have to consider the source though):
-Get some proper holidays, because you never know when will be the next time you will have carefree holidays again!
- Save some money (you will need them in the case it takes you a bit longer)
- Reading of basic material that you will need in any case, like "how to write a literature review" or study basics statistics ( depending on the field, maybe you don't need them in Philosophy), or some basic book on your field.