I am starting a PhD soon so thought it would be OK to post in this forum -apologies if I was wrong!

I'm starting a science PhD at cambridge in a couple of weeks and the nerves are really starting to hit :S. I have a couple of questions that I was hoping some folks on this forum could help me with as I cant seem to find much info anywhere else on the web!

First, did you guys do any preparation for your PhD before you started? I mean in terms of reading, planning etc? I really havent done much apart from read a few papers and learn some new drinking games, but thats it. Will my supervisor expect me to have done lots of project planning and research?

Second, the other thing that really worries me is how to make friends there. I wll be living in private accomodation with two other postgrads I dont know, until september when I can move into college halls. I'm seriously worried how I will be able to make friends, meet people and socialise. During my undegrad, the friends I made were people I met in halls and who I lived with, but Im not sure if it will be the same with a postgrad, especially as Im starting at a weird time, not during freshers. Im also not sure how much one would socialise with other lab or department members? Did you guys have similar worries when you started, or have any similar experiences?

Sorry if I rambled a bit but I look forward to any responses!! :-)

It never hurts to read around your topic and have some ideas, but what happens really depends on how firm the proposed project is. Your supervisor may already have half a dozen experiements that he/she wants done, or they may expect you to spend several months literature searching and defining a question. Don't worry too much until you get there and can figure out how things sit, you'll have several years to work hard....

In terms of meeting people. Yes, as an undergrad you meet people in halls, but by the time I was in fourth year most of my friends were based in my department. You'll meet plenty of other phd students through your work, and you can still join all the clubs and societies your heart desires. PhD students start according to funding, not freshers, so I wouldn't worry about that, at a big university like Cambridge I'm sure you'll make friends quickly.

Thanks for your reply! That has certainly reassured me! :-)