tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4034888015247889941.post625843506857097372..comments2024-03-27T02:25:16.462-07:00Comments on Heather Doran: Things I wish I had known when I started my PhDHeather Doranhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01743182952112081912noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4034888015247889941.post-12746229025059466842014-08-19T13:28:29.212-07:002014-08-19T13:28:29.212-07:00I am just about to start my PhD at UCL so this is ...I am just about to start my PhD at UCL so this is a super helpful post to find. Thanks for all the tips<br /><br />Sian xSian https://www.blogger.com/profile/18083062377584781631noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4034888015247889941.post-31750654016096890892012-11-23T11:34:36.707-08:002012-11-23T11:34:36.707-08:00Think long and hard about the PhD you want to do a...Think long and hard about the PhD you want to do and who you do it with - you are about to enter into a 3+ year long relationship with your supervisor and their research group, during which time you will see more of them than of your friends and family. So put as much thought (and effort) into establishing and maintaining this relationship as would for any other. Lynne Hockingnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4034888015247889941.post-9340432019273087252012-05-10T07:37:56.532-07:002012-05-10T07:37:56.532-07:00If you work with large numbers of samples, particu...If you work with large numbers of samples, particularly if they're nested subsamples from something else (ie- DNA samples from leaf samples from herbarium specimens...), BE INCREDIBLY, ANALLY ORGANIZED about it. Reference, cross-reference, make lists upon lists to keep it all straight. I messed this up during my MSc, but have been religious about it during my PhD, and it's been an absolute lifesaver. The data just snowballs on you...Erin Zimmermanhttp://www.questionableevolution.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4034888015247889941.post-57829692377373754892012-05-10T06:31:37.351-07:002012-05-10T06:31:37.351-07:00Save EVERYTHING. EVERYTHING. Save it in multiple ...Save EVERYTHING. EVERYTHING. Save it in multiple places. I lost no less than three harddrives during my grad school years. It happens, don't let it be you.<br /><br />Take careful, careful notes. You might know what "group of cells +eleventy and drug x" means now, but 6 years on? You won't remember. Write down even information that seems irrelevant at the time. It may save your butt.Scicurioushttp://blogs.scientificamerican.com/scicurious-brain/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4034888015247889941.post-21307802256860461152012-03-25T13:10:44.057-07:002012-03-25T13:10:44.057-07:00If you don't remember why you did it, maybe yo...If you don't remember why you did it, maybe you can think of a cooler sounding reason...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4034888015247889941.post-2610936742602450642012-01-19T09:45:57.872-08:002012-01-19T09:45:57.872-08:00Speaking as a PhD supervisor nowadays, don't b...Speaking as a PhD supervisor nowadays, don't believe everything your supervisor tells you! Challenge, debate and rebel where necessary, rather than blindly accepting every recommendation they make. They are there to advise you only - at the end of the day, it is your PhD.Mark Reedhttp://www.sustainable-learning.orgnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4034888015247889941.post-72377571662512528482012-01-18T02:31:22.958-08:002012-01-18T02:31:22.958-08:00Write down your thoughts on your work and keep a n...Write down your thoughts on your work and keep a note if you change or omit some results or decide to do something a particular way. When it comes to writing it up in 2 years, you probably won't remember why you did it!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4034888015247889941.post-39318499789004843162012-01-17T13:38:58.613-08:002012-01-17T13:38:58.613-08:00Thanks for such a brilliant post- I will definitel...Thanks for such a brilliant post- I will definitely listen to your advice :)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com