Executive summary: This post offers advice for PhD students, covering the selection process, effective work strategies, thesis writing, and viva preparation, based on the author’s personal experience in Bayesian statistics and infectious disease epidemiology at the University of Cambridge.
Key points:
Choose a PhD program carefully, considering supervisor compatibility, research group dynamics, and personal career goals.
Develop a consistent work routine and set clear goals, but be open to exploring side projects and potential career paths.
Start writing papers or thesis chapters early, and be prepared for the writing process to take longer than expected.
Prepare thoroughly for the viva (defense) by reviewing your thesis, key papers, and summarizing your work, but recognize that over-preparation has diminishing returns.
Be cautious about advice, as PhD experiences vary widely based on factors like country, university, and field.
Focus on gaining transferable knowledge and skills rather than solely on the immediate impact of your research.
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Executive summary: This post offers advice for PhD students, covering the selection process, effective work strategies, thesis writing, and viva preparation, based on the author’s personal experience in Bayesian statistics and infectious disease epidemiology at the University of Cambridge.
Key points:
Choose a PhD program carefully, considering supervisor compatibility, research group dynamics, and personal career goals.
Develop a consistent work routine and set clear goals, but be open to exploring side projects and potential career paths.
Start writing papers or thesis chapters early, and be prepared for the writing process to take longer than expected.
Prepare thoroughly for the viva (defense) by reviewing your thesis, key papers, and summarizing your work, but recognize that over-preparation has diminishing returns.
Be cautious about advice, as PhD experiences vary widely based on factors like country, university, and field.
Focus on gaining transferable knowledge and skills rather than solely on the immediate impact of your research.
This comment was auto-generated by the EA Forum Team. Feel free to point out issues with this summary by replying to the comment, and contact us if you have feedback.