Starting a thesis is both exciting and stressful because we know that many long nights in the library await us, accompanied by too much coffee (or tea for the more British among us). Here are some tips that I would have liked to read before starting this adventure. Of course, this is just my personal experience, but I hope it can help or comfort some of you.

I am currently a 3rd year PhD student in French studies and I also had the chance to teach while doing my research. It required a lot of work and organization but I think the main thing is to understand that a PhD is a marathon, so there is no point in doing a sprint from the first year.

1. Plan, Plan, Plan!

I think it is first important to have a guideline, a sort of plan (at least a first draft, with some ideas for chapter titles) that will guide your readings because, if you know what you want to say, the writing will come by itself! So don’t panic if you haven’t written much in the first few months, take your time for your literature review and establish a coherent argument structure (which can change and evolve with time).

2. Go To Conferences!

To make your subject your own, I advise you to participate in some conferences, even at an early stage of your research! Indeed, trying to explain your project to others allows you to approach it in different ways, and it permits you to get outside opinions, that’s always good to have! Your place at conferences is legitimate even in the first year, don’t wait to be an expert (plus, you’re an expert in the making). If you’re not yet convinced, know that there is always a drink at the pub waiting for you at the end of the conference!

3. Don’t Be Afraid Of Feedback

If you fear negative feedback (during conferences but also from your supervisors), I think it is important not to take this personally, because, after all, it is not who you are that is being judged, but a small part of your work that you provided at a specific moment and which is not a reflection of who you are, nor your general knowledge of your subject.

4. Find What Suits You

Over time, I also understood that you have to find your own rate of work. I had a tendency to compare myself to others and feel guilty for starting less early in the morning because I am going to be honest: I am not a morning person, but in reality, I understood that it didn’t matter. I work just as much as others but at different times, at my own pace and if that’s what works best for me, then that’s what should be done. Long story short, it is important to test different work times and see what works best for your productivity.

Photo: Anais at the beach. Taken by Anais.

5. Make A List

Then, to avoid getting discouraged, it is also essential to make a list of achievable goals every week. As you know, a thesis is a colossal job, it seems endless sometimes. This is why it is important to feel like you’re completing tasks regularly, even if there is still a lot of work to do. That being said, having phases of discouragement and procrastination is normal, don’t feel guilty about it. Besides, we should not underestimate the effectiveness of a break! It is better to get some fresh air for 1 hour if you don’t feel efficient rather than forcing yourself to stay in front of your computer without being productive.

Make Time For You!

To finish, I have always thought that a balance between social life and work is the best way to be fully effective and happy, so even if you have A LOT OF WORK, please take time for yourself!

I hope that these few thoughts that I tried to summarize will be useful to you. Good luck all of you for doing your PhD !!!

Anaïs Delcol is from France and moved to Glasgow 3 years ago to do a PhD in Literature in Philosophy. She works on peregrination as a conquest or liberation of the self. She loves literature but is also passionate about cinema, music, dance and travel !