My PhD Project Conference

I arrived on the morning of the 27th September 2012 at 7:30 AM for the PhD Project Conference, not sure what exactly I had put my name down for this time, worried I would be alone in a strange place at a boring PhD conference, registered as an MSc student and unknowingly at the start of an incredible journey.

On arrival I did what any student around food might do; I procured a snacks table and claimed it as my own. My newly acquired treats were used as bribes to start conversations and my jokes were laughed at by unsuspecting conference goers. As the conference was about to start an interesting man stayed longer than one joke. Conversations of abalone, waste water, diabetes, dogs, vets, fountain pens, World War 2, spirituality, PhDs, and so many more began to blend into each other as we spoke. Once the conference had begun we continued our conversation, writing notes and whispering the odd comment about what we were being told.

Dr. Erik Hofstee (EXACTICA: Thesis and Dissertation Solutions) gave his talk titled “PhD Studies: Getting Through.” Oblivious of what was about to happen I sat ready to take some casual notes, and suddenly, without any warning, 2 years 5 months have passed. His words gave me a sense of power and confidence in myself at the time, as he laid down a 12-step process to achieving a PhD, however, some things are easier said than done…

STICK TO THE BASICS:

A 12-step process to help you slow down and enjoy the journey

1. Failing to plan, is planning to FAIL!

It would be silly to plain something I knew wouldn’t work, it’s when it doesn’t work and I have no idea why that really frustrates me

2. Ensure that your research problem is “realistic”. This will ensure that you are goal-oriented and topic-specific; allowing your passion to become your cure.

That’s the problem with passion Dr, it is not always unidirectional

3. Develop the skill to ask incisive questions; questions that will assist you to remove any limiting assumptions you might be making.

Get this one right! The only constant is change

4. Develop proper research methods; get in the habit of doing things in a structured way.

A well organised journal that doesn’t double as a journal for every interesting

5. The quality of your research determines the quality of your data

Always be proud of your work, it defines you

6. Take the time to write a proper proposal

And then then plan it differently anyway

7. Take the time to build a strong relationship with your supervisor. The quality of your relationship determines the quality of your thinking which determines the quality of your actions which ultimately determine the quality of your results.

Keep asking them why, even when you think you know

8. Develop a structured way to write your thesis/dissertation.

There must be an easy way, where are the metrics? Google…PLEASE

9. Edit your OWN work (6-8 times minimum) using different tactics.

I don’t care anymore!

10. Assess the quality of your own work.

If you don’t believe it’s worth an A, why should other people?

11. Develop the skill to communicate your science and become comfortable answering the questions “So what? Who cares?”

12. HAND IT IN!!!

Although these 12 steps are easily written and defined, the application comes with many hurdles. In my early 20s, a wise old man informed me of the phenomenon which he referred to as; “Chips and Coke.” He is aware that the local Café stocks both of these item but he assures me there is no way to acquire experience without first taking the time to do it.

I have collected my Chips and Coke from as many different Cafés as possible and my advice; if you are in the privileged position of beginning a PhD, stay passionate and keep learning.