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The PhD journey: some personal reflections

The PhD journey: some personal reflections. Dr. Berenice Golding. Aims and objectives. Share my personal experiences of undertaking a research degree – areas of commonality Discuss some of the issues that arose throughout my own studies which you might be able to relate to

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The PhD journey: some personal reflections

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  1. The PhD journey: some personal reflections Dr. Berenice Golding

  2. Aims and objectives • Share my personal experiences of undertaking a research degree – areas of commonality • Discuss some of the issues that arose throughout my own studies which you might be able to relate to • Explore some of the highs and lows of the journey • To explore some of the challenges, misconceptions /pre-conceptions, barriers, blockages and moments of procrastination

  3. A bit about me • I was, until very recently, a PhD student based in the School of Human and Health Sciences. • My research explored issues around ‘informed consent’ and ‘decision-making’ amongst women who used a fertility treatment called egg sharing. • I explored this area from the perspective of the egg share donor. • Having survived my PhD I am here to share my experiences of being a postgraduate researcher.

  4. Doing your PhD: the things they don’t tell you in the small print!! • It is frustrating, exhilarating, ground breaking and new. • It is an emotional rollercoaster, with many highs and lows. • It can be an isolating experience. • If you are full-time you are expected to work for around 35 hour week. At times it may feel like you are working a 90 hour week. Other times you might work less. • At times you may feel like you are in the middle of a living nightmare, but the good news is.... • It is a time of deep growth and intellectual development. • IT CAN BE FUN!!!!!

  5. Reflections on my journey

  6. Or it may look/feel a bit like this???

  7. Or like this??? Stress End of year progression viva Isolation Energy Fatigue Chapters Writing VIVA Time management Anxiety Imposter syndrome Motivation Disenchantment Work/life balance Feedback Structure Deadlines Conferences/seminars

  8. On a more serious note... • My journey to PhD completion included a fair amount of blood, sweat and tears. • Frustration, consternation, lack of determination, procrastination, distractions and exhaustion. • There were times when I thought that I could not see the wood for the trees. • I considered giving up, more than once, but I got through it and so can you.

  9. Procrastination and lack of motivation

  10. Survival strategies • You may need to become one of these... • Or one of these...

  11. Product, process and outcome • Rome was not built in a day – a thesis cannot be constructed overnight!! • It really is a process that demands more time than I had actually anticipated. • Moving through the process took some negotiation. • It was not a linear process, required movement backwards and forwards until the sum of parts became a whole. • Some tasks were much harder, time-consuming and tedious than others.

  12. Supervision • Touching base • Mutual respect • Clarification • Expectations • Responsibilities • Mixed approaches • Managing/negotiating boundaries • Blurred boundaries

  13. Feedback • Aargh, the dreaded ‘track changes’ • Aargh, the dreaded ‘critical comments’ • Aargh, the dreaded ‘writing’ issues • Aargh, writing block • Aargh, I cannot do this

  14. The end point • Submission pending • Tears, tantrums and stress • The light is visible at the end of the tunnel • Almost there, almost there, almost............ aargh.................. • Poorraeding • Proofreadnig • Proorfeading • Proofreading • The viva and beyond....

  15. The viva • Was not as bad as I had anticipated. • I actually enjoyed my viva. • I took the opportunity of having a ‘mock viva’ and this helped my final preparations. • I approached the viva logically, I prepared, considered the types of questions that might be asked. • I tagged my thesis with ‘post-it’ notes. • I prepared a ‘crib’ sheet and took paper, pens and pencils with me. • Having my Director of Studies with me was reassuring. • It was over before I knew it.

  16. Post-viva reflections • The viva may not signify the end point just yet. • If it does and you happen to be one of the few that get few without having to undertake any revisions – congratulations in advance!! • Revisions are not the end of the world – see it is an opportunity to ‘perfect the text’. • Don’t lose heart, get on and complete them as quickly as you can. • Seek advise, clarification about any recommendations that you are unsure of. • Work with your supervision team – they will continue to support you to the end point!!

  17. Remember • Set yourself SMART goals: • Specific • Measurable • Achievable • Realistic/relevant • Time-bound • If it is not working – don’t remain silent, speak up. • A problem shared is a problem halved and challenges can be overcome.

  18. Cont’d... • Make an action plan – aim to stick to it!! • Prioritise • Remember that it is okay to say NO!! • Don’t leave tasks that are time-consuming until the end. Keep up with referencing, proofreading, cross-referencing, organising appendices etc... These tasks can take longer than you might expect!! • Be kind to yourself! Take a break from your work, spend time with family and friends. • Coming back to your research with fresh eyes helps you to see things more clearly, and helps to overcome issues that may have been problematic.

  19. ANTI-STRESS KIT BANG HEAD HERE 1.Place on a firm surface 2. Follow directions in the circle 3. Fepeat until you are unstressed or become unconscious

  20. Or... • Invest in some... • They are very useful replacements should you lose yours!!!

  21. Life after the PhD • Is like a breath of fresh air!! • Somewhat surreal. • Has not been as straightforward as I had envisaged. • Worth every single second, minute, hour, day, week, month and year that it took to achieve my goal! • I actually miss my doctoral studies!!

  22. Some useful reading • Murray, R. (2006) How to Write a Thesis. Berkshire: OU Press. • Murray, R. (2009) How to survive your viva. 2nd ed. Berkshire: OU Press • Phillips, E & Pugh, D.S. (2005) How to Get a PhD. A handbook for students and their supervisors. 4th ed. Berkshire: OU Press. • Rugg, G & Petre, M. (2004) The Unwritten Rules of PhD Research. Berkshire: OU Press. • Trafford, V & Leshem, S (2008) Stepping Stones to Achieving your Doctorate By focusing on your viva from the start. Berkshire: OU Press

  23. Thank you for listening.Any questions???

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