37 Best Resources For PhD Students

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Writing papers can feel like an endless cycle of research, writing, revising, and editing. As you approach each new project, you might feel a sense of dread or even panic at the prospect of starting over again. With each new project, it is easy to forget what you learned from the last one.

What’s worse, the pressure to publish can feel overwhelming, especially if you’re unsure how to go about it. And if you’re like most PhD students, you’re balancing so many responsibilities that you hardly have enough time to breathe, let alone write. Luckily, as you likely know by now, artificial intelligence (AI) can help alleviate the stress of academic writing.

In this guide, we’ll explore a variety of resources for PhD students that can help improve your research skills and writing. You’ll learn how to enhance your academic writing and be able to write efficient papers, summaries, and articles with AI. One tool we’ll introduce you to along the way is Unriddle’s AI research assistant. This valuable resource can help you achieve your goals, such as improving your writing and conducting research more effectively so that you can tackle your next academic paper with confidence.

What Exactly Is A PhD?

A PhD represents a specific academic degree that signifies a certain level of expertise in a particular area of study. For example, a PhD in psychology indicates that the recipient has a general knowledge of psychology but has also conducted original research and made a unique contribution to the field. PhD programs are often lengthy, taking several years to complete.

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How Long Does It Take To Get A PhD?

Dissertations: The PhD Obstacle Course

PhD students encounter a number of hurdles on their way to graduation, but arguably none are more daunting than the dissertation. Once a doctoral student has successfully passed their comps, they are considered “All But Dissertation” or “ABD.” Yet, the number of students who successfully complete their PhD program remains low—estimates show that nearly 50 percent of students drop out, often after reaching the dissertation phase.

The dissertation phase can often take much longer to complete than the other requirements of a PhD. Researching and writing a dissertation takes significant time because students are expected to make an original and notable contribution to their field.

Assistantship Obligations: Balancing Duties

Teaching and research assistantships are beneficial because they can help pay for a PhD program, but they may also take time away from working on your dissertation. Some students are expected to teach at least one class per semester on top of their other obligations as graduate students.

For universities that reduce the teaching or research load that students have as part of their assistantship, times to completion tend to improve. Humanities students at Princeton University began finishing their degree in 6.4 years (compared to 7.5 years) thanks to the institution's financial support and the reduced number of classes students taught.

Other Responsibilities: Life Beyond the PhD

Doctoral students tend to be older. Graduate students pursuing a PhD in science or engineering were an average of 31.6 years old by the time they earned their degree in 2016, according to the National Science Foundation. In effect, some PhD students may have competing obligations, such as family. If a student’s funding has run out, and they have to find full-time work, it also may affect the time they can dedicate to writing their dissertation.

What Is Unriddle and How Can It Help You Write and Research Better?

Unriddle allows you to read faster and write better. Quickly find info in documents, simplify complex topics, take notes and write with the power of AI. Unriddle is trusted by thousands of researchers and students, from the classroom to the boardroom. Unriddle generates an AI assistant on top of any document so you can quickly find, summarize and understand info. No more endless skimming.

Step into a collaborative workspace where everyone can contribute and chat with the same documents in real-time, and much more! Read faster & write better — try Unriddle for free today.

What Does Every PhD Student Need?

1. Laptop: The Backbone of Your Research

A dependable laptop is crucial for every PhD student. Depending on your area of study, you might need one that can perform complex computations or simply one that can manage word processing. Whatever your needs, be sure to future proof your laptop for the next five years and purchase one more powerful than you think you need. You will likely want that extra power as your research progresses.

2. Multiple Monitors: Increase Your Productivity

Once you go to two or more monitors, you’ll never go back. Consider looking for an extra monitor for your desk so that you can handle multiple applications and windows open at once. For example, I have code/documents open on one screen whilst having web browsers open on the other. Pressing the Windows key and an arrow will move a window to half of the screen – a fantastic quick trick for making the most of your monitors.

3. Ergonomic Chair: Stay Comfortable While You Work

You will be set down for many hours during your PhD studies. It is important that your chair is comfortable and supports you in all the right areas. Your university will have an ergonomic assessment tool available for you to use to make sure that your chair is the right one for you. Consider purchasing your own chair if the one supplied by the University isn’t able to provide you with a comfortable work environment. In my experience, there are plenty of chairs floating around the department for you to take your pick of your favorite.

4. Notebook: Capture Every Idea

A notebook will be invaluable throughout your PhD, and it should be carried with you everywhere you go. One lecturer that I worked under always carried a small notebook in his pocket. Whenever you have an idea, question, brain wave – write it down in this notebook. Do not use your brain to store information – it needs to be kept free of information to be as creative as possible. Make sure that you lock up your PhD notebook in a safe place at night. I have heard of some horrible stories of sabotage and stealing of ideas.

5. Waterproof Pens: Protect Your Research

Ensure that you have some waterproof pens. Desks are full of liquids such as coffee and water that can easily destroy and wash away ink upon spillage. Therefore, it is important that your ink and ideas are kept safe from any little water accidents.

6. Plants: Improve Your Focus with Nature

Plants are a fantastic thing to have in your PhD student office. Having plants in the office help increase concentration levels and improves the perceived air quality of your space – as demonstrated by a 2014 study in Australia, the UK, and the Netherlands. Some of the nicest PhD offices that I have ever seen had a good number of indoor plants. Get a plant that is interesting to you and is robust enough to survive the indoor environment in which it will live.

7. Desk Lamp: Light Your Research

Having a good amount of light on whatever you are reading will help reduce your eyestrain and keep you focused. Unless you have a massive window nearby, I would recommend purchasing a dimmable desk lamp so that you can be in control of the amount of light that your desk gets. With a solar simulator bulb it can help with seasonal affective disorder and help brighten up the dingiest and darkest of PhD cubicles.

8. Headphones: Block Out Distractions

A good set of headphones will help keep you focused. I like to have a pair of active noise cancellation headphones to cut down the chatter and other distracting aspects of working in a shared office space for an open plan office. I like to listen to white noise while I am working because it helps take away the annoying background noise even better than music, in my opinion.

9. Mini Lounge: Create a Relaxing Space

If your office allows, it is always fantastic to have an area to relax. Consider purchasing a small couch, comfy armchairs, or a mini lounge for sitting back with a paper or two. I find that having a little place to sit that isn’t a formal and upright office desk can help improve my concentration and get me away from the distractions of my computer screen. I love looking for bargains on secondhand marketplaces – you may be defined as the perfect mini lounge for your office! A sneaky pillow for a great nap is also a great addition.

10. Coffeemaker: Fuel Your Research

Lastly, you can consider purchasing a coffee maker for your PhD student office. Academic departments quite often have a tearoom but, in my experience, the coffee quality has always been relatively poor. Having your own favorite coffee available at all times will help you get over that afternoon lull that kicks in on Wednesday and Friday afternoons in particular.

How Do I Prepare For A PhD Student

Know the Requirements for Your PhD Program

Before applying to a PhD program, make sure you understand the admission criteria. Most programs require a master’s degree in a related discipline, and some may even demand additional coursework or research experience. Before applying, thoroughly check the admission requirements and ensure that you meet all of the prerequisites. It is also critical to properly investigate the program and grasp the academic prerequisites, coursework, and research expectations.

Choose the Right PhD Program

Selecting the appropriate PhD program is critical to a successful academic career. You should pick a program that aligns with your research interests and objectives. It is also paramount to research the program’s faculty and their areas of interest in research. This will help you identify suitable research supervisors and mentors with comparable research interests. You should also consider the program’s resources, facilities, and funding options.

Explore Funding Options for Your PhD

PhD programs can be expensive, so finding appropriate funding sources is critical for decreasing financial constraints. It is important to investigate financing alternatives such as scholarships, grants, and fellowships, as well as the eligibility conditions and application deadlines. Many universities provide research or teaching assistantships, which give financial support as well as valuable research or teaching experience.

Enhance Your Research Skills

Research is a crucial component of every PhD program, and it is critical to enhance your research skills. You should be familiar with research procedures, data analysis techniques, and literature reviews. It is also important to keep up with the latest research trends and breakthroughs in your field. You can broaden your expertise and network with other scholars by attending academic conferences, seminars, and workshops.

Improve Your Writing Skills

Writing is an important element of a PhD program, and you should work on enhancing your writing skills. You should be able to write academically, including research ideas, literature reviews, and research articles. You can improve your writing talents by enrolling in writing classes or seminars. It is also critical to seek criticism of your work from peers, mentors, or writing centers in order to improve your writing skills.

Build a Networking Strategy

Networking is key in any academic journey, but it is especially important in a PhD program. You can meet other scholars and possible collaborators by attending academic conferences, seminars, and workshops. You should also join professional or academic organizations linked to your subject of study. A robust network can provide significant research opportunities, feedback, and mentoring.

Maintain a Work-Life Balance

Establishing a work-life balance is critical to a successful academic career. Completing a PhD program can be stressful, therefore it is critical to look after your physical and emotional health. Exercise, good nutrition, and sleep should be prioritized as self-care activities. To manage stress and anxiety, you can also seek help from friends, family, or mental health specialists.

37 Best Resources For PhD Students

1. Unriddle AI: The Smartest Way to Read & Write Academic Papers Fast.

Unriddle understands the meaning behind your writing and automatically links you to relevant things you’ve read and written about in the past. Highlight text and Unriddle will show you the most relevant sources from your library using AI. Never lose a citation again. Generate text with AI-autocomplete to improve and expand your writing, with all suggestions based on the context of what you're working on. Step into a collaborative workspace where everyone can contribute and chat with the same documents in real-time, and much more! CTA: Read faster & write better — try Unriddle for free today.

2. Pathverse: Create Custom Apps for Your Research.

Pathverse is a free, no-code software that allows you to build custom research apps. Create intervention studies, send out timed notifications, and create custom surveys or questionnaires for your study participants. Pathverse also hosts a large library of features and an exclusive FREE tier for Ph.D. students and early career researchers.

3. Zotero: Free Tool to Organize Research Materials.

This free reference manager can help you organize and cite your research sources. It’s a valuable tool for keeping track of your research materials, generating bibliographies and saving time in formatting citations.

4. Scrivener: The Best Writing Software for Long Projects.

Scrivener (comes from the Old French meaning ‘to scribe’) is a software created by Literature and Latte. The company calls the software as something created by writers for writers. The software was designed for novel writers and screen-writers but widely used by academics because of the section categorisation, which allows you to work on chapters individually and compile it at the end. Recently, Scrivener came up with their latest update for the Mac (the windows version is expected soon), and they have done substantial visual and features rehaul.

5. Grammarly: Free Writing Tool for Error-Free Papers.

A helpful grammar-checking tool that can identify grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors in your writing. It is an excellent tool for Ph.D. students who want to avoid mistakes in their academic writing.

6. Trello: Visual Task Management Software.

A powerful productivity tool that allows you to organize your tasks and to-do lists visually. You can create cards, add deadlines, and categorize tasks by importance. It’s a great way to keep track of your work and manage your time effectively.

7. Ulysses: Goal-Oriented Markdown Writing Software.

If you like Markdown writing method, you will love Ulysses. It might seem like a simple writing app for your Mac or iPad, but this one packs a punch. The advantage of writing on Ulysses is the clean interface, and it has a goal-oriented approach to writing. Say, if you want to finish 1000 words a day, you can set them with Ulysses.

8. Evernote: Organize Your Research in One Place.

A note-taking app that allows you to organize your notes, documents, and research materials in one place. You can also set reminders, create to-do lists, and share notes with others. It’s an excellent tool for keeping track of your ideas and research materials.

9. EndNote: The Most Popular (and Expensive) Reference Manager.

Endnote is an obvious choice used by many academics, but it’s the most expensive product out there. Endnote was owned by Thomson Reuters, but they spun off all the analytical and academic brands into a separate company called Clarivate Analytics. For example, Clarivate owns the Web of Science Group.

10. Mendeley: A Free Alternative to EndNote.

Mendeley was started by three German students in 2007 as an alternative to Endnote with investors from various companies like Last.fm and Skype, along with academics from Cambridge and John Hopkins. They named the application after Gregor Mendel and Dmitry Mendeleyev. It was considered to be a rebel system to Endnote but lost a bit of that sheen when it was acquired by Elsevier in 2013. But Elsevier acquisition has helped Mendeley to proliferate into different segments of reference management.

11. Papers: Reference Manager for Mac and iOS.

Papers was an independent multi-platform reference manager system developed by two PhD students from the Netherlands Cancer Institute. They wanted to create an iTunes style approach to reference management. It was owned by Springer Nature, an academic group and a couple of years back Readcube acquired Papers.

Readcube had its own reference management system, but they merged everything, and the brand is now called Readcube Papers. Papers, when it was independent, was used by many academicians due to the robustness and the sheer volume of citation styles. Post the acquisition, some of them moved (especially Mac users moved to Bookends), but the new app is as stable and comprehensive as the old one.

12. Bookends: My Favorite Reference Management Software.

Bookends is my favourite reference management software and the one I currently use. I was using Mendeley for my references and moved to Bookends after a careful investigation. Bookends is such a secret that even a google search for the name wouldn’t suffice to find it (search for Bookends reference manager instead). Bookends is a Mac-only reference management system that’s developed by Sonny Software based in Maryland, USA.

13. Smart Academics Blog: Blog for Academic Career Development.

The -> Smart Academics Blog provides a collection of 135+ articles on academic career development, especially on conducting PhD studies, writing and publishing journal papers, PhD supervision, presenting research, career development, and becoming an effective researcher. Many of the articles provide free worksheets and checklists.

14. PhD Career Stories Podcasts: Real-Life PhD Career Advice.

PhD Career Stories is a podcast where PhDs share stories, successes and failures of their career development after completing their doctorate. Here everyone can participate and share their journey and experience so that we can learn and grow with each other. Together, we can inspire you to take the next step in your career development. Available on all major podcast platforms.

15. The Struggling Scientist Podcast.

A Podcast by Scientists, for Scientists, anyone Science adjacent and perhaps even hobbyists. They make biweekly episodes about Science, Life as Scientists and have amazing Guests from all over the world.

16. Papa PhD Podcast.

The Papa PhD Podcast offers valuable insights and advice from experienced PhD graduates and professionals, helping you navigate the challenges of doctoral studies and career planning.

17. Mental Health, Bullying, Career Uncertainty

This is an article for helping with your mental wellbeing.

18. Tips for Choosing the Right Doctoral Program for You

Franklin University offers six elements to look for when choosing the doctoral degree program that best suits your personal needs and your academic and professional goals.

19. Keeping Your Stress in Check as a Doctoral Student

Strategies and Resources Are your doctoral studies making you feel overstressed and overwhelmed? Read this guide to get expert tips on how to unwind and keep your stress at a healthy level.

20. Resources for PhD Students with Learning Disabilities

Earning your doctorate demands dedication and resilience. And for those with learning disabilities, the hurdles may appear daunting. But with the right resources and support, PhD students can conquer these challenges and reach their academic and professional goals. Use this guide to get the tools you or someone you know needs to succeed.

21. The Essential Health and Wellness Guide for PhD Students

Prioritizing your health and wellness during your PhD journey is essential for your success. This guide offers tips and resources to help you be at your best.

22. Mental Health and Your PhD

Resources and Support PhD students can be more vulnerable than other students when it comes to mental health issues. Get expert tips and support resources to overcome stress, anxiety, and other mental health challenges in this guide.

23. Earning Your PhD Online

How to Successfully Navigate Your Doctoral Degree Virtually Getting your PhD online comes with a unique set of challenges. Find tips and strategies that can help you stay connected and successfully translate your in-person research and study skills into a digital world.

24. From Service to Scholarship

The Military Veteran’s Guide to Pursuing a PhD Are you a military member or veteran ready to take the next step in your academic journey? Our guide is the ultimate resource for veterans pursuing a PhD.

25.Accommodating Success

Resources for PhD Students with Learning Disabilities Doctoral studies are rigorous and intense. For students with learning disabilities, the challenges may seem formidable. But PhD students can reach their academic goals with the right resources and support.

26. PhD Student Guide

Substance Use Disorder Awareness & Support Unhealthy coping behaviors such as substance use disorder are common in an academic environment, especially for PhD students. Learn more about the causes and symptoms of substance abuse, prevention and intervention strategies, and support resources.

27. APA Style

Developed by the American Psychological Association. APA Style is the go-to resource for writing style and format for academic documents.

28. Dissertations

Created by the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s Writing Center. This resource is a comprehensive discussion of tips and tools for completing your dissertation.

29. Index of Library of Congress Research Guides

This index provides access to more than 1,200 research guides to the Library of Congress’s general collections of books and articles, as well as general subject guides prepared by LOC librarians.

30. HigherEdJobs

A major resource for higher education career information and job recruitment in academia. This listing from thousands of colleges and universities shows hundreds of thousands of open positions annually.

31. Higher Education Recruitment Consortium (HERC)

A nonprofit consortium of more than 700 colleges and universities, hospitals, research labs, government agencies, and for-profit and nonprofit agencies, HERC provides various resources for recruiting and maintaining faculty and staff in academia.

32. Imagine PhD

This is a free online career exploration and planning tool for PhD students and doctoral graduates in the social sciences and the humanities. Users can create self-defined goals, create professional development and career paths, access related skills, values, interests, and more.

33. myIDP Science Careers Individual Development Plan

This free career-planning tool designed primarily for PhD students and graduates in STEM-related fields features exercises that help users pinpoint their skills, values, and interests. It also has a list of career paths with predictions on which ones best fit your skills and interests.

34. PhD Student Career Planning Timeline

Designed for PhD students at the University of California at Santa Cruz, this comprehensive career planning timeline is available for use by doctoral students everywhere.

35. Postdoc Jobs

This niche recruiting resource is used by more than 1,000 employers (e.g., companies, universities, governmental agencies, research institutions, etc.) to connect recent doctoral graduates with great jobs worldwide.

36. USAJobs

The federal government’s official employment website allows job seekers to search for and connect with civil service job opportunities at hundreds of federal organizations and agencies.

37. The Versatile PhD

Providing information and advice on non-academic careers for PhDs, ABDs, and other graduate students and degree-holders, this resource includes job analytics, networks, and readiness tools.

Complete Step-by-Step Guide On How To Use Unriddle's AI Research Tool

Here is a step-by-step guide on how to use Unriddle. I’ve also copied it below :)

From here, it's pretty simple.

Unriddle helps you read, write and learn faster.

Interact with documents via AI so you can quickly find and understand info.

Then start writing in a new Note and Unriddle will show you relevant content from your library as you type.

Get started by uploading a document.

Or read on for the full rundown.

Interact with documents

When you upload a document, Unriddle generates an AI assistant on top of this data.

Click 'New' in the right sidebar and then select 'Upload' to get started.

Use this assistant to answer specific questions about the text, summarize content and simplify jargon.

The trick is to be super clear about what you want.

If you're summarizing a research paper, for example, instead of saying “Summarize” or “Summarize this research paper”, say something like “Explain this research paper to me in simple terms. What method did the researchers use? What did they find? Why does it matter?”.

The second prompt will produce a much better overview of the paper because we're giving the AI more hints about what we want.

Automatic relations

Unriddle grasps the context behind each Note and Document in your library and automatically links them based on meaning.

Let's say you have a collection of nuclear physics papers in your library.

When you start writing a note about The Manhattan Project, simply mentioning "The Manhattan Project" will prompt Unriddle to find the connection between this note and the nuclear physics papers.

Even if you didn't explicitly mention the research papers, Unriddle's knowledge of Oppenheimer, his work, and the significant relevance of these papers means it understands the connection and automatically links them together.

In short, Unriddle shows you relevant content from your library at the exact moment you need it, even if you haven't explicitly mentioned it.

Citing your sources

Writing is hard when you have a ton of sources to track.

So we made it easy.

Highlight some text, click ‘Cite’ and you’ll see items from your library that contain information related to the selection of text you just highlighted as determined by our AI.

When you select an item Unriddle inserts a link into highlighted text that, when clicked, takes you to the referenced item.

Writing with AI

Click ‘New’ in the sidebar and hit ‘Note’ to open up a new note.

Here you’ll find all the text formatting options you’re used to and more.

Type ‘++’ to generate text based on the context of what’s already written.

Highlight text and click ‘Ask AI’ to open up the AI menu where you’ll find options to improve, expand, summarize and explain.

You can type custom prompts too!

Finally, you can open any note in a pane on the right side of the screen while interacting with documents. Just click the orange pencil icon at the top of the chat window.

Adjust the model, temperature and response length in the Setting sidebar.

Click the cog icon in the top right corner of the screen and look for "Chat Settings".

These apply across all documents but you can easily flip between them regardless of settings at the time of upload.

Model: the machine learning model used to generate responses.

Temperature: the amount of creative license you give to the AI.

Max length: the maximum number of words generated in a response.

Got feedback or questions? Send us an email and we'll get back to you within a day.

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Useful Tips For PhD Students

1. Meet Regularly with Your Supervisor for a Smoother PhD Journey

One of the main things that really helped during my PhD was having regular one-on-one meetings with my supervisor. Not only do you get an opportunity to check things with your supervisor, they’re also a useful way to stay focused and disciplined. Rather than set up ad-hoc one-on-one meetings when you need them, I’d really push for a regular slot. I had a recurring weekly meeting, mostly just with my primary supervisor, but sometimes my secondary supervisor came along too. Some people may find this is too frequent, but in any case, regular meetings are crucial. Supervisors will be familiar with the many challenges you’re likely to face.

They can offer invaluable advice to not only solve the problem quickly but also offer perspective to put your mind at ease. It is almost impossible that you won’t have anything at all to discuss. In fact, you are likely to end up receiving lots of other advice that you may not have been actively seeking near the start of your PhD, such as career guidance. As said by Professor Fiona Saunders, an academic with experience in PhD supervision: “Regular meetings with your PhD supervisor are essential.

They help to build a strong working relationship, provide an opportunity for regular feedback, and allow you to identify and resolve any issues early on. These meetings are also a space where you can discuss your progress, set realistic goals, and receive guidance not just on your research, but also on your career aspirations and professional development. Consistent communication is key to navigating the complexities of a PhD successfully."

2. Find Your Ideal Working Style

One of the most important things you can do as a PhD student is to figure out how you work best. Depending on how much flexibility your project allows, this could be in small chunks over a long day or one big chunk in a shorter day. You might prefer to visualize your ideas surrounded by lots of notes or work better in a tidy space.

Everyone is different. The sooner you crack your own code, the better. If you’re going to study one thing for at least three years, you need to establish a rhythm. Professor Hugh Kearns, an expert in research productivity and academic coaching, said: “Understanding your own work style is crucial for success as a PhD student. Some people are morning people, others are night owls, and knowing which you are can make a big difference in how productive you are. The key is to experiment and find out what environment and schedule allows you to work most effectively.

Whether it’s working in short bursts or long, focused sessions, in a quiet library or a buzzing café, once you figure out what works best for you, stick with it. Establishing a sustainable routine early on can significantly impact your productivity and well-being over the course of your PhD."

3. Create Your Own Opportunities

One thing you will find as a PhD student is that there are ample opportunities out there, but they’re not always going to land right in your lap. Make sure to stay connected with your academic community to find out when conferences are searching for papers, or other opportunities are available. Your supervisor won’t always nudge you to write a paper or present at a conference, so take it into your own hands.

As said by Professor Tara Brabazon, a scholar in higher education and doctoral supervision: “Creating your own opportunities is essential in the world of academia. As a PhD student, you need to be proactive in seeking out chances to present your work, publish, and network. Don’t wait for your supervisor to push you; take the initiative to find conferences, journals, and workshops that align with your research. This is how you build your academic profile and get your work noticed. The opportunities are there, but you have to go after them—don’t be afraid to put yourself out there and create your own path."

4. Stay Focused on Your Thesis

With that in mind, it’s important to not get too distracted. In the end, you won’t pass the viva exam without a solid thesis, so that’s where you should be focusing most of your energy. Writing additional articles and papers is great, but those publications and presentations won’t be much use if you don’t finish your PhD. As said by Professor Inger Mewburn, an expert in research education and author of "The Thesis Whisperer": “It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of conferences, publications, and networking, but your primary focus must remain on your thesis.

While building your academic profile is important, none of it will matter if you don’t finish your PhD. The thesis is your core output—it’s what you’ll be examined on in your viva, and it’s the foundation of your academic career. Prioritize your writing and research above all else, and be mindful of how you allocate your time. Remember, a completed thesis is what will ultimately open the doors to the opportunities you’re seeking."

5. Work Smart and Take Breaks

Working in unison with the previous point about the number of hours you put in per week, a top tip for new PhD students is to learn to work smart and take breaks where necessary. Repeat after me: don’t waste time being unproductive. An effective PhD student shouldn’t need to chuck their entire life at the PhD. Instead, learn how you work best and use this knowledge to find a work pattern that boosts your productivity.

Along with figuring out whether I prefer to start work earlier or later in the day, I personally found it useful to figure out how long I could sit at my desk before my productivity started dropping. On the topic of working hours and productivity: no, PhDs don’t need caffeine. Taking frequent breaks are great, not just for your productivity but also your sanity. By breaks I mean everything from a five minute walk through to a proper holiday away from work.

6. Connect with Your Academic Community

Connecting with your community doesn’t always mean attending and presenting at events. You might decide to join other PhD students on pub nights or events within your own department. A PhD can be quite lonely at times. Being able to connect with other people in a similar position can provide you with extra support and keep you on track.

7. Remember Your Motivation

Another important thing every PhD student should do is remember why they’re doing the degree in the first place. Doctoral research is hard. It can be isolating, frustrating and there can be long periods of no payoff. Sometimes you need to step back. Remembering why you’re doing all this in the first place can be a great starting point to reigniting your passion.

8. Avoid Comparing Yourself to Others

Aside from loneliness or burnout, it’s also easy to believe you’re not performing as well as other students around you. Maybe one has written more of their thesis than you, or another has just been published. Everyone works at their own pace and prioritizes different parts of the process. You should never compare the way you work and your niche research project to someone else’s. You might as well compare oranges to apples.

9. Ask Questions

Many new students are often fearful to ask questions because they don’t want to come across as stupid. Believe me when I say that nobody will think this. You’re probably asking a question that someone else was already thinking! As a PhD student, you’re not expected to know everything. While you’re surrounded by departments full of academics with knowledge waiting for you to absorb, take advantage. If you have a question, ask it!

10. Start Thinking About Publishing

Clearly you’re not going to be in a position to publish original research for quite some time (as first author at least), but your first year is often filled with a lot of reading. In addition to using this reading to help with your project direction, you could turn this into a writing exercise, which can be useful for three key reasons: Boost your understanding of the topic. Writing things down in your own words will strengthen your comprehension.

It can form the basis for the literature review in your thesis. Always useful! Also handy for any early stage milestones that your university has. Mine had a checkpoint at nine months where it can be pretty handy to demonstrate that you have some idea about your research field! A relatively easy and early publication: a review article. It’ll really help give you confidence in the publishing process. As said by Professor Pat Thomson, an experienced academic and author of "Writing for Research": “Even in the early stages of your PhD, it’s important to start thinking about publishing.

While you may not yet be ready to contribute original research, the reading you do in your first year can be transformed into a valuable writing exercise. Writing a review article not only deepens your understanding of the literature but also provides a foundation for your thesis’s literature review. Moreover, an early publication in the form of a review article can boost your confidence and familiarize you with the publishing process. It's never too early to start thinking about how to contribute to your field.”