My first week as an HDR student - what are you doing today?

I knew that as soon as I was accepted into the PhD program I would hit the ground running.
My first week as an HDR probationary candidate entailed;

-meeting with my Supervisor
-scheduling workshops and research days
-beginning my research plan
-filling in a survey regarding supervisor and student roles
-watching HDR induction videos
-reading policies and procedures (recently updated)
-re-doing my research planner
-updating my research gantt chart (love my Gantt!)
-setting up NVivo for Lit review


A great tip from Dr Lee-Ann Bye, USC, when she was a PhD candidate, was if someone asks what you are doing today, reply with 'I am working'. This will be one of the best tips to keep with me as I found when I did my research for my Master's degree, others thought that if I was home, I was free to do as I pleased including odd jobs for them! So, instead of saying 'I am studying', I will be saying 'I am working!'.

Day 1 - on probation

There are lots of little steps to meet the milestones required to complete a PhDrogram.

Today was my first meeting with my supervisor to discuss my project. Although I have had plenty of meetings and catch ups with her, today is the first as a PhD student.

I'm privileged to have a supervisor that is supportive, knowledgeable and that I have already worked with. I always leaving her office more motivated than before.

I now have two months to meet my first milestone deadline- my research plan. I have hit the ground running, which I expected, but I'm still trying to get my head around that I am on my new journey. One that I have been dreaming about for a few years and now it's real.

The next few months, I will be establishing clear goals, scheduling workshops for professional development and writing my Research Plan document. 

Next...Milestone two...

Offer of acceptance!

Oh to have the words written 'I'm very please to offer you a place in the PhD program'.

Yes it it's probationary until confirmation but it's that one small step closer to...the next step!

It is a wonderful feeling and a great end to the week to read those words. I have this weekend to breathe before I hit the ground running. I look forward to the journey ahead and everything that comes with undertaking a PhD program.

Stay tuned...😀