New Ph.D. students: Your relationship with your adviser is often critical for your Ph.D. It's a two-way street but here are some things to think about from your perspective and ways to maintain a positive relationship: @PhDVoice @OpenAcademics @AcademicChatter
1/n Different advisers have different styles of mentoring. Talk to group members before (if you can) or immediately after joining. Some advisers are micro-managers, some are hands-off, some are a fix. Then either adapt to that style or consider talking to them/look for a new one
2/n Part 1: Often undergrads who have very little or no research experience struggle initially in their Ph.D. Remember that unlike classes, there is no set homework that can solve quickly to get a full grade. Research involves chasing after questions that are often open-ended.
3/n Part 2: Try to figure out where you stand, how much work you will need to put in to become a fully functioning member of a lab. Talk to fellow lab mates or your PI about this. You will need to take initiative about this. If you keep to yourself, it can hurt your progress.
4/n Part 3: This in turn can affect your relationship with your PI in the long term. You will thrive in your research if you openly communicate with your mentor and fellow lab mates. Often they are under pressure from their university or funding agency to deliver.
5/n Always go prepared with an agenda to meetings with your adviser. A list of things to discuss, slides, etc. Articulate both successes and challenges. If you put in the work, often advisers will match your enthusiasm and dedication.
6/n Part 1: Often advisers are busy with a number of things: grants to keep students funded, papers, talks, panels, teaching, and other university work. There is a good chance you will have to figure out certain things on your own. The goal is to ultimately become independent.
7/n Part 2: Therefore, be cognizant of your own time and their time. See what are some of the expectations from your adviser towards their Ph.D. students. Some publish on their website, some don't. Therefore, it's important you clarify these things early on.
8/n If you want their inputs on papers, abstracts, presentations, give them sufficient time. You need to be on top of things, and make sure things are handled/submitted in time, etc.
9/n Good relationship is often a product of many things: trust, honesty, good communication, and writing skills, dedication to work, how well you communicate or work with others in the lab, etc.
10/n I have written elsewhere on my feed about annual review forms. Do them without fail every year. It's important to talk about expectations and progress made so far so that there is no misunderstanding.
11/n Finally, talk more than research with your advisers. Talk to them about opportunities, career goals, and how they deal with stress or any other common interests you both may have.
12/n If you have serious issues with your adviser, try mediation, or consider switching labs. You will need to figure this out sooner rather than later. Good luck and follow me for more advice on grad school @suhas_prameela
13/n Glad to see this post getting attention: Here are some of my top tweets that you may find useful:
SOP advice: https://twitter.com/suhas_prameela/status/1335229092921290755?s=20
Giving credit to collaborators and co-workers: https://twitter.com/suhas_prameela/status/1345044523005718530?s=20
Making good presentations: https://twitter.com/suhas_prameela/status/1344704343119949829?s=20
14/n Naming research files: https://twitter.com/suhas_prameela/status/1297048492897193986?s=20
Co-authorship in academia: https://twitter.com/suhas_prameela/status/1310237102232272897?s=20
Publish first "first author" paper: https://twitter.com/suhas_prameela/status/1312797264230916097?s=20
15/n How to treat UG mentees: https://twitter.com/suhas_prameela/status/1314924468612018176?s=20
Writing well in academia: https://twitter.com/suhas_prameela/status/1320056319936778240?s=20
Work-life balance in academia: https://twitter.com/suhas_prameela/status/1333084906294038528?s=20
16/n Career guidance for Ph.D. students: https://twitter.com/suhas_prameela/status/1333128047076184064?s=20
Why UG students should research labs: https://twitter.com/suhas_prameela/status/1341752487099842560?s=20
Annual review with Ph.D. advisers: https://twitter.com/suhas_prameela/status/1341752487099842560?s=20
17/n Recommendation Letters for academia: https://twitter.com/suhas_prameela/status/1340374696064376834?s=20
Diversity Statement advice: https://twitter.com/suhas_prameela/status/1336829577470029832?s=20
You can follow @suhas_prameela.
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