The first few steps Part 2

Assalamualaikum & Hello

As promised, this is a continuation from the previous entry. The following steps are the advice from my first SV in order to help me get started. I can assure you that this is a ‘tried and tested’ formula and I hope it would benefit others too. So, here are the next steps

Rule #3

Books to read

Apart from understanding the research topic, the methodologies, data analysis and other relevant knowledge about research, my SV pointed that I should also understand other aspects of PhD. He suggested that I read a book called ‘How to Get Things Done’ by David Allen. I did not expect that kind of advice but I am willing to give it a try. He added, it would be good if I can read on writing a thesis, the PhD experience and published thesis on my topic. So I thought to myself ‘its only my 4^th day and I have so much to read?’ 

This is a great book!!

Alright then, read I shall and obey I shall.

The next thing I did was go to the library and bookshop to get the books he mentioned. I started reading and YES it made a lot of sense. It helped me to kick-start my journey.

The first book I read.

Rule #4

Attend related training/seminar

For an international student, this is a bit new for me. What training? Which seminar? How would I know which one to go? A whole list of questions I asked myself.

Then I discovered that the Graduate Studies Office conduct series of training for PhD students. And it is FREE. Wow, this is GREAT. Besides that, the Faculty also organizes similar workshops for us. Awesome! I am going to attend every session (again, eager beaver mode is activated). So I started scrolling the training schedules and marking my calendar. I believe this is not only a good way to learn but to network with other PhD students from other faculty too. 

The very first training I attended was the ‘Refresher Course for International Students’ conducted by the Library. Soon after that I entered several other trainings such as ‘Induction for HDR Students’, ‘Managing Your Supervisor’- this is a really good one, ‘What Is Research’, ‘Qualitative Research’, ‘Research Code of Conduct’, ‘Ethics in Human Research’ and the very useful ‘EndNote X5 & EndNote X6 Workshops’. I have to say that all these trainings have imposed positive impact to my journey and I have learned a lot from it.

For 2013, I am planning to attend the Statistical Workshops (specifically SEM),’How to write LR for Social Sciences’ and ‘Getting Published’ since the workshops are offered this year. I might attend a couple more if and when they are available for registration.

So that’s the steps/rules I wanted to share. They might seem simple and small but the impact is HUGE.

Thank You for reading

Miss F