PhD Student Advice: Starting 2nd Year | Livestream Q&A with a Computer Science PhD Student

TL;DR

PhD student discusses various topics including starting a PhD, working from home, collaborating on papers, and balancing work and personal life.

Transcript

hey everyone okay sorry if you can hear the background noise of lola getting comfortable i'm going to give it a few minutes for everyone to arrive hi sashim how are you okay what's new with everyone i feel like it's been a really long time even though it's only been like a month since the last stream i still feel like it's been a while so what's ev... Read More

Key Insights

• 🤳 Starting a PhD during the pandemic can present unique challenges, but it can also offer some advantages, such as more time for self-directed learning.
• 💦 Choosing a suitable supervisor and developing a good working relationship with them is crucial for successful PhD work.
• 💦 Working from home can be challenging, but establishing a productive routine and finding ways to stay connected with colleagues can help overcome these difficulties.
• 🤳 Self-motivation, goal-setting, and effective time management are essential skills for success in a PhD program.
• ❓ Collaboration and networking with other researchers can provide valuable support and opportunities for growth.
• 👨‍🔬 Regular communication with your supervisor and research panel is important to ensure progress and receive guidance.
• 😫 There is no set number of papers required for a PhD, as it varies by field and university. Focus on producing high-quality work rather than just aiming for quantity.

Questions & Answers

Q: How do you choose a good supervisor for your PhD?

Look into their research publications, talk to their current and former students, and consider their interest in your research area and their level of engagement.

Q: How can I be more productive while working from home?

Set specific goals and deadlines for yourself, create a suitable work environment, and find strategies to improve focus and time management.

Q: How do I approach researchers to collaborate on papers?

Send them an email expressing your interest in their research, referencing their work, and proposing potential collaborations. Make sure to involve your current supervisor in the conversation as well.

Q: How do I balance productivity planning and actually being productive?

Set aside dedicated work hours each day, prioritize tasks, and focus on completing high-value work. Try to avoid spending excessive time on planning or non-essential tasks.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The speaker discusses starting second year of their PhD and asks about others' experiences.

• They mention collaborating with fellow PhD students and starting a PhD in the midst of the pandemic.

• There is a discussion on how to choose a good supervisor and the importance of research integrity training.

• The speaker also mentions their research topic in natural language processing (NLP) and offers tips for first-year PhD students.