Thread by @raulpacheco

Thanks everyone who recommended my site to @cwalterswrite (who's starting a PhD and is in first semester). I remember my first year very clearly because I wanted to write my PhD comprehensive exams at the end of it (I was young, naive and stupid. Most programs allow 2 years).

I want to suggest things that I've written about.

1) Develop a STRUCTURED daily routine raulpacheco.org/2018/11/develo…
2) Develop a routine for reading, synthesizing information and storing it for easy access raulpacheco.org/2019/02/readin…
3) Start thinking about what you want to study

4) Keep in mind what a PhD is raulpacheco.org/2018/11/what-i… and develop a Dissertation Two Pager (even if you're still WAY early to think about what your dissertation will be) raulpacheco.org/2018/08/the-di…
5) Even if you're not at the point to develop a DTP, think of research questions

6) Developing good research questions is a craft raulpacheco.org/2018/06/develo…
7) Set goals for the semester, year raulpacheco.org/2019/09/settin… and develop a plan for the entire PhD journey raulpacheco.org/2018/10/planni…

IMPORTANT - all of the above isn't done alone, you should consult advisors!

Everyone else who has responded to @cwalterswrite has offered valuable ideas on not feeling like an impostor, seeking work-life balance, finding advisors/mentors, making sure to have a life outside of the PhD.

https://twitter.com/cwalterswrite/status/1174515932129038337

8) One more thing: I actually DO think people should read books on how to do a PhD. My PhD experience was so traumatic at some points that I completely forgot that I DID read a few of these in grad school (they didn't help at all, but still, I DID read them) and for that...

I have a page with over reading notes (NOT REVIEWS, READING NOTES) of a dozen books I've read on how to do a PhD raulpacheco.org/resources/reso… I read these books not because I need them (I already have a PhD) but to help MY own doctoral students. </end thread>