10 hours ago
- Always prepare for the worst by planning for potential research failures and advisor changes.
- Take charge of your own program, as faculty are often too busy to provide extensive support.
- Spend a year reading critically to identify important problems and develop independent thinking.
- Psychological challenges, like the pressure for a 'perfect' thesis, are the biggest barrier; set realistic goals and complete requirements early.
- Minimize coursework to focus on active learning through reading, discussion, and one-on-one interactions.
- Write a research proposal and seek constructive criticism to clarify goals, plan experiments, and prepare for contingencies.
- Manage advisors by keeping them informed with brief progress reports and choosing compatible ones early.
- Focus on foundational theses that test assumptions, and prioritize quality over quantity in publications.
- Start publishing early, co-author with experienced researchers, and write theses as publishable manuscripts.
- Consider a Master’s thesis for valuable research experience and smoother transition to a PhD.