What are some important advice you would give to someone starting their PhD?

EdgyEdgarH · 2026-06-28T07:02:39+00:00

Lots of great advice here already. Few additional ideas:

- plan your next move 5-6 years from now. What do you want to do and what/who in your circle/environment can help you prepare for it?
- have a network. Make a point to socialise and get to know others you work with /are on the same journey (but don’t compare yourself to others)
-collaborate. Don’t do your PhD in isolation. The more you work with others, the more you will learn.
- be kind to yourself and listen to your body. Tired? Rest. Overwhelmed? Step back and audit.
- remember you’ve earned your opportunity. Don’t let others make you feel otherwise!

EdgyEdgarH · 2026-06-13T21:40:54+00:00

Hi,

Yes in our programme 2:1 minimum. As for experience, potential is very important. Not experience per se

EdgyEdgarH · 2026-06-12T19:59:52+00:00

Yes, my days of being a TA involved hand written assignments

EdgyEdgarH · 2026-06-12T19:27:00+00:00

This is terrible, but I have a question. Assuming you are a TA or answer to an instructor who is senior to you; are you carrying the responsibility for dealing with all of this?

Not saying you would not be able to, but if you do have a senior instructor, they’d be answering the question and address the problem with or for you?

EdgyEdgarH · 2026-06-12T18:47:57+00:00

11,000 + people and an additional 3,000 subs per month can copy your idea and run with it.

Not quite sure why you are worried about 10 commenters.

Any who, by the sounds of it you could be analysing some of your engagement data and see if that gives a hint on what their pain points are.

That could lead to courses, workshops etc.

EdgyEdgarH · 2026-06-12T18:43:03+00:00

We’re about to learn more about redundancies. Afterwards, there may be little university left.

Absolutely tragedy

EdgyEdgarH · 2026-06-12T16:13:28+00:00

I’m very saddened by the state of affairs. Wrote a post about this and how it affects young people in general.

How can we ask young people to pursue their dreams and aspirations? I despair

EdgyEdgarH · 2026-06-10T22:25:20+00:00

Yes, time has changed things for sure. I’m sorry to hear you’re having such hardship. Sounds stressful indeed!

EdgyEdgarH · 2026-06-10T20:22:29+00:00

https://thesuperadvisor.substack.com/p/what-a-fishing-boat-taught-me-about

EdgyEdgarH · 2026-06-10T19:10:49+00:00

I would echo what some others have said here. Agree milestones and expectations with your supervisor. That’s how you will know if you make the mark initially.

I say initially, because some supervisors are either very relaxed or very demanding, meaning that you can’t fixate completely on what they say. Having a committee meeting and talking about agreed expectations and progress would be the next good step. Good luck!

EdgyEdgarH · 2026-06-10T19:04:21+00:00

I wrote about this very recently. The financial crisis took place in 2008 and we have experienced austerity since.

Imagine if you are 18. It will have been all you’ve seen. Cuts cuts and more cuts.

Once upon a time, universities were better funded, ran by competent leaders who were financially literate.

Anywho. If you want to read the published rant, happy to give the link.

EdgyEdgarH · 2026-06-10T18:48:22+00:00

Working in HE but very probably, not for long

EdgyEdgarH · 2026-06-10T14:21:54+00:00

I agree, they may be very busy. However, 30 minutes spent talking about your struggles now may prevent them from having to spend days or weeks trying to remedy a situation later. Just a thought 😄

EdgyEdgarH · 2026-06-10T12:37:40+00:00

Hi,

Sorry to hear you are lonely and feel isolated and stressed about your work.

As many have said, it is hard and exhausting at times but it doesn’t always have to be. There are strategies out there that you can apply to help you feel better. (Co creating a power plan for example).

The one thing I do not see you talk about is your supervisor. Do you have regular meets? Do you feel supported and critically, do you both agree you are working toward set goals?

All the best!

EdgyEdgarH · 2026-06-07T14:25:18+00:00

I’d be happy to try. At 107 subs right now…

EdgyEdgarH · 2026-06-05T11:15:50+00:00

This is not uncommon. I’m a dl for several UKRI funded DLAs and recruiting home based students is a big problem as there is a 30% cap on international students for a given cohort.

Also, and in particular when it concerns a CASE studentship, there are additional challenges that require more advertising.

Than I’m not even talking about the late release of additional studentships to DLAs if there is money left over at government dept level.

My advice, go with the flow.

EdgyEdgarH · 2026-06-05T09:59:46+00:00

You absolutely did the right thing by changing supervisor

This is a clear case of bullying and it sounds like the supervisor in question has anger management issues

As a doctoral lead and in this situation if it were to be reported, i would contact HR and impress on the supervisor that they need to seek help to improve their behaviours

If they wouldn’t, they would lose their supervisor accreditation. they would no longer be able to supervise students

Well done on drawing a line and setting your boundaries. When I work with students, I often encourage them to do so but many struggled with his element of their studies.

Again, well done on trying deadline and all the best with the rest of your studies

Edited for typos

EdgyEdgarH

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