Settling into your Postgraduate Study

Settling into yourPostgraduate Study

Dr. Mark Matthews & Dermot Coonan

Student Learning Development

http://student-learning.tcd.ie

1pm- 2pm 3rd FloorRoom 318

The long distance runner…

Progress hard to monitor and much of the work is done in isolation

• Smaller student network• Tutorial responsibility• Smaller academic network• Often need to work off own schedule

Getting started

1. What stage are you at?2. What are your concerns?

– Transition– Orientation– The research process– Confusion and lack of control– Study skills

Write down on a piece of paper the greatestchallenge you will face:

My greatest challenge might be……

Ask yourself: What is it I most love about my studies?

1. What do I enjoy about my course….2. Why am I doing this….3. What do I want to have learned at the end..

Getting Started

• Where can I find what I have to do?• Order out of chaos• Reading about the process

Visit: http://www.tcd.ie/orientation/

Your Toolbox

Technical Skills

Research Skills

Self-ManagementCommunication

Skills

1. Subject-Skills

Department specific• Course Handbook• Department SeminarsSelf-directed

2. Communication Skills

• Supervisor’s rolePeer Support• Study Partners • Discussion Groups• Postgraduate Advisory Service• Social• English

3. Research Skills

Library• Literature Reviews, Database Searches

Information Systems Services• Software support (Word, SPSS, Endnote)

Student Learning Development• Academic Writing, Critical Thinking

Reflective Journals

4. Self-Management

• Psychological• Realistic planning• Steady pace • Plan where to put effort• Balanced life• Specific, measurable goals• Rewards

Get a diary

• Practical• Check daily• Dates, meetings, lectures, timetable

When stressed, try to come back to what you know.

When bored look for the novel.

Practical Tips

• Plan a time in the day when you do nothing at all

• Learn to switch off –to rest your brain• Constant brain stimulation without a break

can drain you• “Down time”-Meditation, walk, clearing the

mind of the noise

In groups, take some of the challenges written down earlier and find solutionsfor them.

Problem:

Possible Solution:

Are there common themes?

“I feel like I’m being taken advantage of – doing work not related to my PhD”

Space

I am very particular about where and when I study. I find it more comforting when I am studying in a clean and comfortable spot. I find it best to study between late afternoon and evening. I can't stand much background noise so I usually study in my bedroom with the door closed and the window open for a nice breeze to come through.

David

Social

"I'm not a Trinity graduate and I've found it difficult to meet people and get involved in other things ?"

Need more help?I need help with study skills? • Contact Student Learning Development | http://student-

learning.tcd.ie• The Post-graduate Summer School runs once a year in the

summer: https://podcast.tcd.ie/users/summerschool/

I’m writing a literature review?• Contact your subject librarian

http://www.tcd.ie/Library/support/contact/index.php

I need training using Word, Powerpoint, SPSS, Endnote etc.• Information Systems Services (http://isservices.tcd.ie/training/ )• Other Postgrads may be willing to offer a tutorial service

Need more help?I need advice on dealing with stress• Student Counselling Service | Ph:018961407 | email: student-

[email protected]

I need general advice on being a post-graduate• Postgraduate Advisory Service |

http://www.tcd.ie/Senior_Tutor/postgraduate/ • Graduate’s Student Union | http://www.gsu.tcd.ie/node/ • Student Learning Development | http://student-learning.tcd.ie |

I want to get involved in social events:• Get involved in a society | http://www.trinitysocieties.ie/ • Join the gym | http://www.tcd.ie/Sport/• Join one of the 50 sports clubs | http://www.ducac.tcdlife.ie/

You are responsible for your own learning

• Get involved socially• Develop skills systematically and

progressively• Get going now• Stay on top of your work• Seek help if you want to do better

What can you do now?

1. What can I do to clarify what I am doing?2. What do I need to formalise with my

supervisor?3. What supports can I set up for myself?4. How will I know if I am making progress?5. Will I be coming to the other Student

Learning workshops?

Other Resources

https://podcast.tcd.ie/users/summerschool/

Student Learning Development

Thank you for your time

Visit our website at: http://student-learning.tcd.ie

My greatest challenge might be ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Problem Re-write the problem in your own words

Possible Solutions List as many things to do that you can think of