Hi All,

I start my PhD studentship at Birmingham University in September this year. I have no idea what to expect. I have been working for the past two years in research roles for the NHS, which pretty much consists of report writing, meetings, supervision, deadlines etc. Any tips on what is expected of me in the first year of a PhD? Kinda excited but slightly nervous! :-)

im afraid i cant help you with what to expect, but what are you going to study there? Birmingham is a LOVELY university

Well...I can't tell you what to expect as all uni's are different. It took me a while to settle into my uni- new city, new office and desk, new collegues...it took ages to get all the paperwork sorted and to get someone to set my computer up (we're not allowed to do it ourselves). You'll probably get inundated with things to read to start with...i spent my first two weeks reading. I also remember my first day being psyically exhausting as I was so tired mentally...i went home and slept. Other than that...i think most people have a fear that they are not good enough or some kind of fraud to start off with until you find your grounding...but since you have been working in research for a while you should know what to expect!! Hope this has been of some help. And good luck (up) (up)

Well everyone's PhD experience is different. I would expect that in your first few months you are going to feel like a fish out of water but this is totally normal so don't panic! I spent the first few months getting to grips with basic lab techniques and reading papers etc to get me up to scratch with my subject area. It took me about 6 months in to feel totally comfortable with what I was doing and to 'feel at home' in the lab. Also try to socialise with other PhD students if possible, as its a good opportunity to vent your fears/problems etc and chances are they are going through the same so it's nice to know that you are not alone!

I think in general first years are expected to read around the subject and get to grips with the methods and techniques that they are going to be using. If you are going to be doing stuff in the lab I have one piece of advice, if you are not sure about how to do something or simply don't know then ask for help even if there is a risk of making you look daft. It's better to potentially look daft when you are new than to muddle through and then mess up further down the line!

As said, I think that everyone's experience is different. You might be overwhelmed, you might simply be overwhelmed with the details of getting started, all the paperwork, computers, research courses you have to do, if required, etc., and just getting settled into a new routine. I remember the first article I read for my literature review and taking a deep breath and feeling soooo overwhelmed--and then thought, its one article or one book chapter or whatever at a time. Just READ. Start. and after doing three articles in my first go, well, I thought, thats my big toe dipped in the water, and see, how hard was it to get started? I think the most important thing to remember is to break down whatever task you are doing in to manageable bites...whatever size those might be for you, and to realize you will have very productive days and really off days.

As said, I think that everyone's experience is different. You might be overwhelmed, you might simply be overwhelmed with the details of getting started, all the paperwork, computers, research courses you have to do, if required, etc., and just getting settled into a new routine. I remember the first article I read for my literature review and taking a deep breath and feeling soooo overwhelmed--and then thought, its one article or one book chapter or whatever at a time. Just READ. Start. and after doing three articles in my first go, well, I thought, thats my big toe dipped in the water, and see, how hard was it to get started? I think the most important thing to remember is to break down whatever task you are doing in to manageable bites...whatever size those might be for you, and to realize you will have very productive days and really off days.

Yes, we tend to start thinking we're going to work hard everyday and that we'll stay motivated for the duration. You'll probably find you work in waves. Some people have some days where there on it and some days when they just can't get going. In my case, it scales up to weeks. I had 3 good weeks in a row, but this week I've struggled to motivate myself. Just accept you can't be perfect all the time.

As has been suggested already, spend the first weeks being a "yes" man/woman in terms of going out and getting involved in activities. It's a great way to make friends and to settle in. Also, feeling like a fraud is normal at first, you'll soon find your way.

It will be like starting any new job really but with a little less structure once all the induction bobbins is out of the way - if in doubt in the first few weeks till you find your feet - read anything you find to read will be useful. Theres not much more you can do to prepare worry about it when you get there. once you know where to get a cuppa, where to meet other phd students and how to get around the campus youll be fine. Your sup will be used to new students - mine very much left me to it but yours might be more involved. Make sure you take time to meet the key players - lab manager, library folks etc... and then just enjoy it - it will be the best of times and the worst of times as they say!

You will be put down by your supervisors who very often ar sad and frustrated individuals. You will feel as a nobody.

Bill, I want to thank you for your numerous posts today: you make my whinging posts seem positively sunny by comparison.

Have a nice cup of tea and a lie down, will you?

Somebody's still grumpy about Obama's nomination...