News & Stories

Top five PhD survival tips

A PhD is an amazing learning experience. Here's some tips to help you on your way.

1. Write! Anything!

Getting your thoughts down on paper really helps get your brain working. Even if what you write isn’t great, just get something down. You can refine it and edit it later.

2. Create a work zone

Co-ordinated sticky notes. Your favourite mug. Photos of your dog. That’s right, your PhD work zone should represent YOU. It should also be functional, comfortable, and inspiring. How about a cork board with leading experts in your field that inspire you? Make sure to keep your zone tidy and organised. Once you leave the work zone, try and free your mind from your research. But once you’re back in the zone…get that thinking cap on!

3. Coffee!

Everyone in higher education knows that coffee is the fuel that produces doctorates. Just ask any PhD student. And if coffee isn’t your thing, there’s always tea. Whether your drink of choice is an elderberry tisane, a fancy macchiato, or just a simple instant coffee, there’s something about leaving your desk for a refreshing drink that just makes it easier to get back to researching, editing or writing with a renewed sense of purpose.

Coffee with friends and colleagues is a huge PhD must.

4. Build a community- and lean on them

Hang out with your fellow postgrads. You’re all going through the same experience, even if you might all be researching different things. Maybe someone has heard of a journal article you HAVE to read, a new way of approaching your experiment, or they might just have a great joke to clear your head. Friends are a huge part of the PhD experience.

5. Consult the experts

That is, consult your supervisor. That’s what they’re there for. If you hit a brick wall, the words won’t come out, and you just feel like your brain isn’t working anymore, you need some help. Your supervisor will listen to your predicament and shine some light on the problem. Their expertise will help you find your way to a new perspective…and you can keep working on your research.

Start your PhD journey. Find out about starting your research degree at the University of Tasmania.