What I Wish I Had Known As A First Year PhD Student: Short narratives from DSC committee members.
This was originally published in the September 2021 edition of SSWR DSC’s Monthly Monitor.
We asked other Communications subcommittee members about what they wished they would’ve known as first-year PhD students. Here’s what they said:
“I learned this by accident but I went to a conference as a student volunteer in my first semester of my PhD [program] and that gave me connections to so many other academics that I actually began to network earlier and was invited into a project outside of my University for research because of it. Now I try to tell all doctoral students to find ways to get involved with conferences sooner than later.”
“Figure out a system for reading, taking notes on, and organizing literature. This is important not just for future literature reviews you'll undertake in your program, but also your daily and class readings. During your exam period and working on your dissertation later on, you'll want to be able to draw on and find quickly articles you've read that are informing your approach!”
“One thing I wish I knew coming into the PhD program was how to say "no" to requests or invitations from faculty and staff to join on different projects. In a PhD program, there is a power dynamic between the PhD students and faculty, and at the beginning of the program, we, as students, are often excited to have the opportunity to work with faculty members to learn. I wish I knew how and when to say "no.” Whether it was for a project I didn't have time for or if it was for a project outside of my research area or if it was because I needed a break. I have not quite figured out how to do this, but what I have learned is to carve out work time that is solely dedicated to myself, and to protect that time, and not share it with anyone else. I need those hours to focus on my schoolwork or projects that I am interested in, or even to sleep in, exercise, or go for a walk! That has helped me strike the right balance of projects!”
“I wish I would’ve spent less time comparing my CV with the others in my cohort; we all have vastly different backgrounds. With that, there will always be more projects! I have realized I do not need to take on every project or opportunity that comes my way, and prioritizing a few things helps more in the long run. Stay true to yourself.”
“I think the first year of a PhD program is both exciting and nerve-racking at the same time. You are excited about the new journey but always wondering what you should be doing and if you should be doing enough. What I wish I knew as a first year was to enjoy every minute of downtime you get in the beginning. Things may start off slow for some of us. Research projects have yet to begin, you aren’t having many meetings with your advisor, and you're maybe just not sure what workshops or extra-curricular activities to join. Do not take this time for granted because once you begin to get busy, it never ends. Use the free downtime to meet with other doc students in your program, especially the advanced students, as well as other faculty, even those who don’t share the same research interests. These relationships can truly make your doctoral experience enjoyable from beginning to end. Also, though you enter with a cohort, everyone moves at their own pace. Some will move faster, and some will take more time; there isn’t a clear-cut way to move through a program. Find time to relax and don’t do anything school related. Self-care is important and a must; find out what that means to you, find out early and commit to it. And lastly, have fun, yes, I truly mean have fun!!”
“I wish I had known how important it was to build a community while completing my PhD early on. I didn’t realize how isolating completing a doctoral program would be and that it was not something I could do alone, compared to my master’s and bachelor’s. Find your people! They will support you and help hold you accountable.”
“Imposter syndrome is common, but you don’t need to dwell on it. You belong in this program. You’re here for a reason. Don’t let Imposter Syndrome get the best of you. You may feel uneasy in the beginning, but that will go away once you realize you made the best decision of your life: to join a PhD program.“