Before a PhD - 5 *secrets* for starting strong!

Before your PhD you should focus on the most important factor – you. But, here are the five secret aspects and things you can do before your PhD for starting strong. I've learned this through many years of academia and watching the dynamics of PhD students and research groups.

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▼ ▽ TIMESTAMPS
0:00 – Introduction
0:50 – Start with the end in mind
3:37 – Speak to your loved ones and explain to them all about academia and support you will need
6:16 – Contact current group members and PhD students of that supervisor to find out the ins and outs
9:42 – Remember to ask the silly questions
11:55 – Lay the foundations for good physical and mental health
14:28 – Outro

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[jenneroberts]

I always say "Sleep is life's most affordable luxury". Its great to hear you identify this as a foundation for success.

[gibmiralles]

Thank you! We definitely need a video on "how to read a paper?"

[PhDCoffeeTime]

"Asking the silly questions" is exactly why I've built my YouTube channel and called it "PhD Coffee Time". It's collectively all my retrospective answers to my "silly questions"

Also a 10th year academic here, it often takes a 15 min coffee break with the right person to be a lot more efficient at how PhD is supposed to be done.

Congrats on the new podcast! You have the voice of the podcast. Great looking progress bar, Andy :)

[sebastiangutierrez]

7:49 one of my Bachelor's supervisors was like that. I was explaining all my work and all my doubts and he started to fall sleep, but he always knew what I was talking about and was always able to answer all my questions. It was impressive to see. In addition, his dreams are always super geometric and psycodelic, he usually programs what he dreams and it's awesome.

[hudamaulana]

I am starting my journey in 2 months. I wanted to watch this video expecting it would all say something academically such as reading papers or going into conferences and things like that. I didn't expect all of the tips are about our mental, physical and social readiness. Great wholesome content Andy as always!

[karenrich]

While this may not be the same thing, I learned that I needed to balance physical and mental work. If the code on my web page wasn't working, it was time to do dishes, laundry or rake leaves. This allowed me to give my brain a little rest, but the solution would come to me once I stepped away from my problem.
I am currently working on a historical website in memory of my late husband and building a small museum as a legacy to my family members who are no longer with us.

[jimplink]

Thanks for these videos. I have been watching them all. I have just started a PhD. I am not in it for a career as I am 61. I am doing it for my own interest and with the hope of turning it into a book later. However, I have been out of academia for many many years. I am worrying about simple things like how to read and take notes. It sounds stupid but you did say!!. How to keep track of all the notes and be able to find them and use them in the right place within the PhD. How broadly to read? As I am just started I guess I am working towards a literature review, something I have never done. Its causing my anxiety already in terms of the points mentioned above, and keeping track of everything. Thanks a lot

[rishikadubla]

this is great! im currently trying to look for phds after a 10 year break from academia and it gets really overwhelming sometimes- but your videos really help to calm me down and put things into perspective. thanks so much for these!

[keilamoral]

I'm a MSc student (fundamental physics) and all I wanted to say is THANK YOU, I really found your channel useful. Good job!

[drewdaniels]

I really appreciate your videos. Even your presence is calming lol. I've started applying to PhD programs for Fall 2021 but slammed on the brakes because I felt like there were some things that weren't in order in my underlying life process. Some of which may be resolved other stuff maybe can't and the process of discerning the difference is agonizing. Long story short, I'm taking this decision very seriously, and I want to do my best to start off as strong as possible so I appreciate your perspective.

[selam]

Thank you for being a helpful person 🙌🏾 I wish if academia is full of gentle and bright people like you.

[AsfandyarAfridi]

I think I have to mention your name in my thesis for helping. You are exactly what I was looking for an education channel like "college info geek but for Phd"

[Candide]

Never be afraid to ask a question. There's no reason, first of all, but in many cases you're not the only one who isn't in the know. You do those silently suffering people a favor, as well.

[ashleymiller]

Finally, a proper review of realistic expectations! 👏

[milesk]

Coming to the end of my MA and I’m seriously considering a PhD.

Thanks for all the advice!

[arthurthewarlock]

I am writting a series of books about monarchies, it is not necessarely a Ph.D, but I face my works like they be, and your hints are helping me a lot

[danielcahall]

Thank you for this, my first class of my Ed.D program starts next week and I'm incredibly nervous, this helped

[futurehope]

Briefly, as you said PhD is a personal challenge 👌👌
this will be one of my answers at my coming PhD interview 💪💪

[seunajijola]

You're so consistent!
I hope to build up this habit doing a PhD

[emilyf]

“You’re not a beast, you’re an idiot.” 😂😂😂 precisely talking to me who’s already pulling an all-nighter in my first semester of my PhD program 😅