Advice for a first-semester Ph.D. student.
About now, hundreds of new #PhDstudents are arriving on campuses. They are sitting through orientation. They are trying to make sense of the next four years to six years - what to expect, what to study, & how to succeed.
Some programs do a good job laying out expectations - with clear roadmaps, rubrics, & such.
Other programs lack structure - assigning mentors, offering a buffet of options, & letting students pick their paths.
Whether in a structured or unstructured program, successful students quickly understand that a #PhDprogram is more than just taking courses - they know they are being socialized to a broader discipline - & they take time to learn the norms of their discipline.
So how to do it?
First, take some time to meet the current students.
Senior PhD students possess a lot of tacit knowledge. They often don't realize it. You can only learn from them if you take time to chat with them.
If you listen carefully, they can help you navigate the social context & locate the resources necessary to succeed.
Second, recognize that current students are sometimes wrong.
While encouraging you to talk to senior students, remember that they offer free opinions.
Take some time to confirm what they share with you.
Trust but verify? Anyone?
Third, take advantage of opportunities for one-to-one interaction with faculty.
If asked to grab a cup of coffee, go. Period.
Mostly though, listen to the faculty member, encourage them to share what they are working on, & get a feel for the person.
Once you have built a relationship, ask for advice on current methods, topics, & theories.
Fourth, plan to attend conferences & workshops.
Four to six years goes by quickly. If you have support for conference travel, go in your first year.
What you will learn about the discipline & the network you will build, is invaluable.
Fifth, pay attention to community email lists.
Discipline email lists are valuable sources of data - CFPs from journals tell you what is coming, job announcements tell you what people a recruiting for, raging controversies tell you want to keep your nose out of.
Sixth, let go of your strong opinions.
First-year students are pure potential. You have ideas about your field & what is important. They will change with time.
Button your lip in public forums & listen. You will be surprised by how many of your preconceptions are wrong.
So take some time to learn & form new "informed" opinions.
Finally, get to know the full faculty, not just your assigned advisor.
A mistake many first-year students make is only talking to their assigned advisor. It makes sense in that you are busy.
Over the course of the year, take some time to meet all of the faculty. It is unlikely that your first-year advisor will be your final-year advisor.
Start building relationships so you can make an informed decision about a dissertation advisor when the time comes.
Best of luck!
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