So now very nearly at the end (submitting in a couple of weeks once a few bits and pieces ironed out), I hope you won't mind me reflecting on my time as a PhD student. And I survived. Just.

It's quite normal to have many peaks and troughs. Don't panic. You will try to understand things that will make no sense. Maybe for days, maybe for weeks. But eventuall - wham - it'll start to make sense. And yeah you'll wonder why you didn't realise it was so obvious before but you got there.

You'll spend a lot of time hating your PhD. But it's only when you get to the end you'll look back and realise how character forming it is. You'll want to it untold damage at least a dozen times. But just work through it and you'll come out okay.

Don't worry if you go through phases of not doing a lot. You'll go through phases of doing an awful lot too. So relax! Enjoy it! Go see a bit of the world. Catch up with friends. Go shopping midweek when there is nobody about. It's nothing to worry about - well unless it lasts for several months ,-)

Make sure you have something else to do. Take up a hobby. Join a gym. Do an evening class. Do something to get you away from your PhD and see other people. And away from Uni too, something that will detach you.

If you have personal problems, for God sake, don't bottle them up. Don't sit around hoping everything will turn out okay. It's life, things happen, but there is no need to feel shame in asking for some help. Kidding yourself will only lead to self destruction.

Don't be afraid of your supervisor. Follow your own lead and steer your own course. If it means changing direction quite radically, try your hardest to make sure it happens. It might just be the best thing you ever do.

Go to lots of conferences. It's a great way to meet people and talk to people who actually understand what you do for a living. And just to get away for a bit! Most academics are relatively normal. Well unless you do pure maths *tongue firmly in cheek*. Plus you'll probably end up meeting the person who will be your external at your viva.

When you get the flow, go with it. If that means staying up until 5 in the morning because you get a flash of inspiration at midnight, so be it. OKay, probably not helpful if you're in a lab, but some of the best work I've done has been in the early hours - including what turned out to be a main idea for my thesis. Run with it so you don't forget it!

Oh and you'll put on weight. Whatever you try and do about it. So don't beat yourself up about buying nice biscuits for your afternoon coffee.

But most of all, just remember it does all end. Eventually. And you'll feel so happy with what you've acheived.



:-x

Like it, Dan B. This should be given to all PhD students when they start.

Dear DanB,

these seem wise words which you bring forward. I like especially the issue to detaching yourself, taking on something else to do.

How long did the whole PhD process take you?
Any regrets?

Nice1 DanB. This reminds me of that song 'Everybody's Free to Wear Suncreen' by Baz Luhrmann (if you haven't heard this before - you NEED to hear it: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xfq_A8nXMsQ) (up)

Are you.. THE DanB??? :-)

Hey DanB.. you back on here now??