The PhD journey: some personal reflections

Dr. Berenice Golding

Aims and objectivesShare my personal experiences of undertaking a

research degree – areas of commonalityDiscuss some of the issues that arose throughout

my own studies which you might be able to relate toExplore some of the highs and lows of the journeyTo explore some of the challenges, misconceptions

/pre-conceptions, barriers, blockages and moments of procrastination

A bit about meI 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.

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!!!!!

Reflections on my journey

• Mastering the art of looking like you are doing a PhD

Year one

• Realisation hits that you are actually doing a PhD

Year two • Sudden realisation that 2 years are over - submission is imminent and so is the viva. PANIC!!

Year three

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

•Mastering the art of looking like you are doing a PhD

A

•Conferences•Journal articles

D •End of year progression

• transcription

E

•Realisation hits that you are actually doing a PhD

B

•Supervision•Ethics•Writing

F

•End of year vivas•Recruitment •Analysis

G

•Sudden realisation that 2 years are over - submission is imminent and so it the viva. PANIC!!

C

VIVAWriting

End of year progression viva

Chapters

Feedback Structure

Motivation

Energy

Stress

Anxiety

Work/life balance

Time management

Disenchantment

Isolation

Fatigue

Imposter syndrome

Conferences/seminarsDeadlines

Or like this???

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.

Procrastination and lack of motivation

Survival strategiesYou may need to

become one of these...Or one of these...

Product, process and outcomeRome 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.

Supervision Touching baseMutual respectClarificationExpectationsResponsibilitiesMixed approachesManaging/negotiating

boundariesBlurred boundaries

Feedback Aargh, the dreaded ‘track changes’Aargh, the dreaded ‘critical comments’Aargh, the dreaded ‘writing’ issuesAargh, writing blockAargh, I cannot do this

The end pointSubmission pendingTears, tantrums and stressThe light is visible at the end of

the tunnelAlmost there, almost there,

almost............ aargh..................Poorraeding

Proofreadnig Proorfeading

Proofreading

The viva and beyond....

The vivaWas 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.

Post-viva reflectionsThe 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!!

RememberSet yourself SMART goals:

SpecificMeasurableAchievableRealistic/relevantTime-bound

If it is not working – don’t remain silent, speak up. A problem shared is a problem halved and challenges can

be overcome.

Cont’d...Make an action plan – aim to stick to it!!PrioritiseRemember 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.

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

Or...Invest in some...

They are very useful replacements should you lose yours!!!

Life after the PhDIs 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!!

Some useful readingMurray, 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

Thank you for listening.

Any questions???