As part of our Induction for new postgraduate researchers we ran a question and answer panel on Getting started with your research degree. It was a fantastic session, and many thanks go to our panellists Cathryn Baker, Jamie Cranston, Fatima Naveed, Malcolm Richards, Sarah Richardson and Jo Sutherst for their time, advice and candor. For those who were unable to attend the event live, it is available as a recording summarised for your below.
Getting started with your research degree – advice from researchers
- A research degree can feel really overwhelming, especially at the start. Remember everyone feels like this, and your are not alone!
- Make your project more manageable by breaking it down in to smaller chunks and settings achievable goals.
- Your supervisors are your anchor – use them!
- Build a supportive academic community that helps you to dare to dream big, but also grounds you.
- Don’t compare yourself to people around you. Their project, supervisors, research methods and working habits are completely different.
- Don’t keep your worries to yourself – talk to your supervisors, your PGR pastoral tutor and your peers.
- Remember the research degree is the start of your academic journey – not the destination.