{"id":757,"date":"2024-07-12T15:00:00","date_gmt":"2024-07-12T14:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sites.exeter.ac.uk\/hasspgrblog\/?p=757"},"modified":"2024-07-17T16:59:40","modified_gmt":"2024-07-17T15:59:40","slug":"thriving-during-a-phd-summer-four-ways-to-stay-connected","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sites.exeter.ac.uk\/hasspgrblog\/2024\/07\/12\/thriving-during-a-phd-summer-four-ways-to-stay-connected\/","title":{"rendered":"Thriving during a PhD summer: four ways to stay connected<\/strong>"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Some research students can\u2019t wait for the long summer break between university terms. It\u2019s a chance to put teaching, training and other termtime commitments on the back burner and really concentrate on your research \u2013 with the odd conference and some sunshine and R&R thrown in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But if the prospect of three months without the structure of term (or the buzz of campus life) fills you with dread, you are not alone. Read on for some suggestions for ways to build connection and community as a PhD student this summer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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A yellow notebook, a pen, a colourful cup of coffee. Photo by Ruth Moore<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

1: Organise a DIY writing retreat with other early career researchers from your subject area – or beyond<\/em><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
    \n
  1. <\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    I keep hearing lately just how much postgraduate researchers value the opportunity to write alongside their peers \u2013 for accountability, companionship, and the reminder that we all face similar writing challenges despite the diversity of our research areas. You can join in the wonderful Exeter PGR Study Space<\/a> over the summer for regular online sessions \u2013 and why not host your own mini retreat, online or in real life? All you need is:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    a relaxed space<\/strong>… there\u2019s plenty on campus over the summer or venture further afield<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    a simple structure<\/strong>… with planned breaks so people know what to expect<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    willing writing buddies<\/strong>… find them through word of mouth, WhatsApp and Teams<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Why not suggest a summery way to celebrate at the end of the day \u2013 a riverside walk, bring n\u2019share picnic or an ice-cold pint? (Editor\u2019s note: for those based in the UK you may need something less reliant on sun<\/em>!)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
    \"\"
    Little Amal meets Alice in Oxford, 2021 (Photo: Ruth Moore)
    A public engagement proejct produced by The Walk Productions and Good Chance in collaboration with the South African Handspring Puppet Company.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    2: Take part in something which engages your future audience<\/em><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    University events may go quiet in August, but the rest of the world keeps going. As research students, it\u2019s important to be thinking early on about our pathways to impact. Which groups of people \u2013 general public, industry professionals, policy makers \u2013 might be interested in your research when it is complete? Now ask yourself: what else are they interested in and what connected events are happening this summer? Go to a gallery talk, a policy briefing, a festival \u2013 anywhere that will give you the chance to mix with people who share your particular passion about making a difference in the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    (If you want to find out more about academic impact, check out this great training resource<\/a> for HASS PGRs by Exeter\u2019s Sian Moody).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
    \"\"
    SW Coastal Path near St Agnes (Photo: Ruth Moore)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    3: Rest and recharge<\/em><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Even if you are someone who struggles with procrastination, it\u2019s ironic that finding real rest takes an effort. Ask yourself what your body, mind and soul need to help recharge this summer. Whether or not you can afford a holiday, there are lots of ways to invigorate your summer days. Local organisations will be running fun activity campaigns for all abilities around the Euros and the Olympics. You could run, ride or roll part of the Exe Estuary trail<\/a> if you are based near the Streatham or St Luke\u2019s campuses, or hike the wonderful South West coastal path<\/a> if you are near Penryn. If a good book helps you to unwind, check out this year\u2019s Guardian picks for the best summer reads<\/a>. Why not host a pop-up book group with a few friends to read and discuss something completely different to your usual research reading?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
    \"\"
    Image of an information handling technology stack (Photo: Professor Inger Mewburn, The Thesis Whisperer 3.2.24 <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    4: Give your PhD a summer tidy-up<\/em><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
      \n
    1. <\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

      In the rush of termtime, things can become very cluttered in our working lives. For some inspiration on how to restore calm to your research, why not read this post about the academic tidy-up<\/a> from the excellent The Thesis Whisperer<\/em> blog. Maybe it\u2019s time to revisit your \u2018personal knowledge management\u2019 systems, tidy up your (virtual) desk\u2026 or go all out and Dewey-decimalise your library! These things can feel like procrastination when we are in very busy phases but done more slowly over the summer, they can really help us take a step back to see our work in a fresh light.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \n\n\n\n

      We hope you enjoy these all the other things you will do to feel connected this summer. We are grateful to every person who has contributed to this blog this year. We believe that hearing about each other\u2019s experiences \u2013 triumphs and challenges – is one of the best ways to strengthen our research culture. There will be a few more posts in July and August 2024 \u2013 then watch this space to see if funding arrives to continue the story\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \n\n\n\n
      \"\"<\/figure>
      \n

      Ruth Moore is a second-year PhD Creative Writing Student, co-editor of this blog and Editor-in-Chief 2023-4 for Exclamat!on: An Interdisciplinary Journal. Her research examines the ways in which contemporary children\u2019s authors are using time-playful fiction, particularly in relation to telling stories out of archival silence. The creative element of her PhD project is a \u2018middle grade\u2019 children\u2019s novel which takes place on a troubled night at the National Maritime Museum in London. Her MA in Creative Writing was at Oxford Brookes University; she also holds an MA in Applied Theatre from the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama and has worked in theatre and in project management in higher education and the voluntary sector prior to commencing her PhD.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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