Read on Twitter
Lessons from PhD Year 1: A Thread
These are in no particular order and are from my experience. I have tracked my weekly progress and hope some of my tips can help. There is no right or wrong and I’d love to hear any thoughts.
@AcademicChatter #AcademicChatter #AcademicTwitter
These are in no particular order and are from my experience. I have tracked my weekly progress and hope some of my tips can help. There is no right or wrong and I’d love to hear any thoughts.
@AcademicChatter #AcademicChatter #AcademicTwitter
1) Every beneficial point derives from a MISTAKE I have made.
I am meticulous about tautologies because I wrote them for so long (e.g., fully deserved > deserved)
I am cautious about confirmation bias because it showed for so long (I drink coffee, must be good?)
I am meticulous about tautologies because I wrote them for so long (e.g., fully deserved > deserved)
I am cautious about confirmation bias because it showed for so long (I drink coffee, must be good?)
2) Read something…regularly
Write something…regularly
Watch something…regularly
Listen to something…regularly
Discuss something…regularly
Ask something…regularly
Share something…regularly
The art lies not in doing all of them, all the time, but in refining them one-by-one
Write something…regularly
Watch something…regularly
Listen to something…regularly
Discuss something…regularly
Ask something…regularly
Share something…regularly
The art lies not in doing all of them, all the time, but in refining them one-by-one
3) It may seem I live a land of positivity that’s sunshine & rainbows. I learn by doing & that includes many struggles, mistakes & low-quality work.
A strong circle, perseverance & optimism helps.
Learn to accept uncertainty and feeling uncomfortable. Control the controllables.
A strong circle, perseverance & optimism helps.
Learn to accept uncertainty and feeling uncomfortable. Control the controllables.
4) If a colleague, friend, mentor or mentee does something you like or benefit from - let them know!
It just might make their day.
Ever applied for a job but not heard back? Not receiving feedback sucks. Be the one who gives it now and then!
It just might make their day.
Ever applied for a job but not heard back? Not receiving feedback sucks. Be the one who gives it now and then!
5) • Sharing books and podcasts
• This coffee’s on me
• “You bring me joy”
• “I’ll get some things from the supermarket” whilst I was in hospital
Little things stick. A phrase I hear often in Australia about favours is: Pay it forward…
…and I hope I can!
• This coffee’s on me
• “You bring me joy”
• “I’ll get some things from the supermarket” whilst I was in hospital
Little things stick. A phrase I hear often in Australia about favours is: Pay it forward…
…and I hope I can!
6) Key lessons over the years engraved in my mind that I hope I can help other students:
VO2max -> DOT ABOVE THE V. It’s a RATE. Keys (0307, Alt + X).
Weight (N) -> Body MASS (kg)
Power -> RFD? Critical? -Winter 2016
VO2max -> DOT ABOVE THE V. It’s a RATE. Keys (0307, Alt + X).
Weight (N) -> Body MASS (kg)
Power -> RFD? Critical? -Winter 2016
7) You don’t have to be like:
“Time to grind
”
“Hustle hard or fail
”
“We gotta get to WORK
”
Carry on as normal. Learn that language. Start that project. Take a break from social media. Just be cool about it. You realise few notice/care anyway
“Time to grind
”“Hustle hard or fail
”“We gotta get to WORK
”Carry on as normal. Learn that language. Start that project. Take a break from social media. Just be cool about it. You realise few notice/care anyway
8) Tautologies and ways to be succinct:
Many different > many
Really quite > really or quite
Look out for > seek/look for
Highly recommend > recommend
Vitally important > important or vital
Often two synonyms next to each other - easily done!
Many different > many
Really quite > really or quite
Look out for > seek/look for
Highly recommend > recommend
Vitally important > important or vital
Often two synonyms next to each other - easily done!
9) A researcher’s starter pack:
- Email/ResearchGate the author/s!
- ORCID, Google Scholar etc
- Pre-print e.g., BioRxiv
- Email alerts
- Scimago / find >right< journal
- Author guidelines
- Critical thinking
- Quality > quantity/speed
- Optimise social media presence
- Patience
- Email/ResearchGate the author/s!
- ORCID, Google Scholar etc
- Pre-print e.g., BioRxiv
- Email alerts
- Scimago / find >right< journal
- Author guidelines
- Critical thinking
- Quality > quantity/speed
- Optimise social media presence
- Patience
10) Remove the word “Just” from your vocabulary.
It’s not “just” your research
Or “just” a paper
Or “just” an acceptance
It’s a product of your effort. People celebrate differently but don’t devalue your work. There’s a difference between an inflated ego and pride. Be proud!
It’s not “just” your research
Or “just” a paper
Or “just” an acceptance
It’s a product of your effort. People celebrate differently but don’t devalue your work. There’s a difference between an inflated ego and pride. Be proud!
11) On that note, work out what kind of response you prefer to achievements.
I like celebrating little wins and bigging people up, but I’d hate to think that it devalues their larger achievements.
Respect different personalities but don’t be afraid to share yours. Be yourself!
I like celebrating little wins and bigging people up, but I’d hate to think that it devalues their larger achievements.
Respect different personalities but don’t be afraid to share yours. Be yourself!
12) As a young PhD student I’ve benefitted from making a conscious effort to recognise when I am distract-or and the distract-ed, and act on it
Distractor? Ask if people have time or have a solo walk to relax
Distracted? “Just working on __, speak soon” / arrange catch-up later
Distractor? Ask if people have time or have a solo walk to relax
Distracted? “Just working on __, speak soon” / arrange catch-up later
13) My road to a PhD:
8 PhD applications
7 part-time jobs
4 years volunteering
3 extracurricular research studies
Patience
I nearly stopped applying but I used to replay this TED talk on delayed gratification. Imagine how much you could do in years. https://ed.ted.com/best_of_web/nvJHP79R
8 PhD applications
7 part-time jobs
4 years volunteering
3 extracurricular research studies
Patience
I nearly stopped applying but I used to replay this TED talk on delayed gratification. Imagine how much you could do in years. https://ed.ted.com/best_of_web/nvJHP79R
14) I appreciate people being blunt. There is nothing wrong with being direct.
Rushing for a meeting? Leggit
Got work to do? I’ll leave you to it
Just need space? All good
Our demands fluctuate and sometimes it’s crackdown time. All PhD students empathise. 100% mutual respect!
Rushing for a meeting? Leggit
Got work to do? I’ll leave you to it
Just need space? All good
Our demands fluctuate and sometimes it’s crackdown time. All PhD students empathise. 100% mutual respect!
15) My final & most significant point: You’re LEARNING TO LEARN
Find your process:
Designate days for different tasks?
Colour-code writing?
Laptop or paper & pen?
Bullet points or continuous prose?
The process is unique.
The destination is identical.
@AcademicChatter
Find your process:
Designate days for different tasks?
Colour-code writing?
Laptop or paper & pen?
Bullet points or continuous prose?
The process is unique.
The destination is identical.
@AcademicChatter
I hope this thread can help some people out there. I am by no means an expert (hell, I still need help myself) but my inbox is always open 
#AcademicTwitter #AcademicChatter #acwri
#AcademicTwitter #AcademicChatter #acwri
