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Tips to Succeed in Your PhD-How to survive throughout the journey

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2What is a PhD?The acronym PhD comes from the Latin Philosophiae Doctor (or Doctor of Philosophy), as its original Greek meaning of love of wisdom or the pursuit of in-depth knowledge.

In itself, a PhD is just a title: an advanced academic degree awarded by a university for original contributions to knowledge. 3The culmination of the PhD consists in the submission of a written thesis describing a suitable body of original academic research, which is deemed worthy of publication in peer-reviewed journals.

The candidate is then expected to defend his /her work before a panel of experts in a process known as the Viva (Latin from Viva voce, i.e. with live voice).

Provided the panel is satisfied with the work carried out and by its oral defense, the PhD title (at least, a Dr in front of your name!) is finally and formally awarded.4A PhD is nothing more (or less!) than an apprenticeship in science: a frustrating, triumphant, exhausting, and ultimately Darwinian career that will require everything you can muster.

5Qualities Required by a PhD CandidateA PhD is not for everyone!

Independence, self-drive, persistence, adaptability, brightness, commitment, motivation, reliability, discipline, creativity, are only some of the key traits that make for a successful PhD student.

6Sadly, excellent academic grades alone are NOT enough as the requirements for a good PhD student can be very different from those of a good undergraduate student.

7Tips to Succeed in Your PhD StudyChoose your project and your supervisor wisely. Nothing can make your life a misery as an ill matched supervision or project.

82.If you are going to do experimental work, be prepared for unexpected setbacks. Despite your best efforts, things can (and sadly will!) goes wrong at some point or other. Just stick with it and be patient. Also, be open to take a different direction if the original one proves unworkable.

Devote your mind and soul to your PhD. This is a unique time in your career as a scientist to work almost exclusively on your research project. You will hardly ever have the same luxury again! (Well, unless you start another PhD, that is).

11Be reliable. Follow through with your words, stick to what agreed with your supervisor, and always communicate as early as possible if you are prevented from fulfilling your commitments for any reasons.

Ban perfectionism, but be professional! Be scrupulous, careful and accurate. Do not let your supervisor lose trust in your results, or worse, with you as a researcher. Reward yourself for major achievements and stop working when you are on holiday.

13Write at every opportunity. Be it a report, a first year summary of your progress, a proposal to gain access time at international facilities for your research, a first draft of an article, always make sure you work at it with the highest dedication and professionalism. Ask for feedback and act upon it.

When attending conferences, use these opportunities to network and expand your circle of influential contacts and to increase your knowledge base. Ask questions and be interested in what others are doing. Focusing on others is the best way to make an impression and to get others interested in you and your work.

Be prepared and accept that there will be tough times. It is in the nature of doing a PhD and everyone goes through such times sooner or later.

Adopt a constructive attitude: remind yourself that you are privileged to be doing a PhD and that soon enough you will see the end of it.

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FinallyFor as much as you can, enjoy it! It can be the beginning of a fabulous career.

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