Making the most of the Postgraduate Research Community

The community I was part of was incredible – but my word of advice is that it is what you make of it. I’ve heard lots of PGRs (postgraduate researchers) describe their time as ‘isolated’, but the community is there waiting. From informal Facebook groups to SU clubs.

My top 3 PhD lifelines were:

1. The shared research room
   Where all the linguistics, literature and history students studied (later joined by law students, when we got upgraded to a more modern building shared with those students). This is a big, friendly, hot-desking area with its own little kitchen (microwave, sink and boiling water tap) and generously sized lockers. It was the perfect hub for getting to know people while doing research.
2. The PGR newsletter sent out monthly by email.
   This let me know about so many free classes, events and clubs; I even ended up helping to organise a PGR conference after there was a call for participants in this newsletter.
3. Booking free courses through Skillsforge.
   These free courses were not only diverse and helpful, covering topics such as writing a good presentation, doing qualitative research, networking and passing your viva, but they were also such a good opportunity to meet PGRs from other courses. Those with similar interests tend to sign up for similar courses, so it’s lovely to see familiar friendly faces when you arrive. These courses almost always provide a break time, often with tea and biscuits provided, to get to know each other, which is a godsend if you’re feeling anxious or disconnected. Additionally, so many of the course deliverers are happy to give impartial advice on any particular struggles.

Making the most of campus life

A number of other activities I engaged in also helped me to meet PGRs from my own and other disciplines, and to engage with and have an impact on campus life. Having been an undergrad whose entire social life was focussed around those I shared my halls with, who never signed up to a single society or did any kind of organisational role, and who never had a job, my time as a PGR was a complete 360˚ change. I almost can’t believe I managed to squeeze in so much!

Taking part in different activities really helped me to keep a positive work-life balance, which may seem counter-intuitive, but for me I needed my time on campus to be diverse. Working every hour on my PhD was not productive for me, although I know many students who put in 9-5 every day and it worked fine for them. It’s just a case of knowing how you work best. I absolutely needed to have different things to focus my attention on. I also set a rule for myself. No weekend work, and no all-nighters. I’m happy to say I managed without a single all-nighter, and only worked about 5 weekends over 4.5 years! This was SO important for me. I needed my rest and relaxation and weekends with friends or family.

Jam packed schedule of activities!

• Working 15 hours a week with catering for my first year
  this was a lovely job which really gave me a chance to free my brain from academia. It helped that I had lovely colleagues and customers!

• Working occasionally as a student ambassador.
  This didn’t happen as much as I wanted, but I did manage to do a few open days, which are my favourite.

• Being the PGR representative for linguistics for 2.5 years
  This involved meeting with the other PGR reps from my school (History, Literature, Music) and some senior academics twice yearly to discuss problems PGRs were facing and facilities we needed access to. This really helped me to build rapport with the other linguistics PGRs who would come to me if they wanted their concerns heard.
• Helping to plan the PGR Conference.
  This was a big undertaking involving meetings every couple of weeks from April until November when the conference was held. I ended up being treasurer and thanks to my contacts with catering helped organise the food, which was a big success. I also sourced the ‘Postgraduate Researcher’ blue lanyards which were given to every conference attendee.

• Acting as a Teaching Assistant for my supervisor
  Attending two classes a week for two years. Shadowing him, and taking his classes when he was away, gave me enormous insight into lesson planning and delivery, which was really important as I aspire to be a lecturer.
• Lecturing my own classes for two full terms.
  Both undergraduate and Master’s. Although it was scary to have so much trust put in me by the tutors’ whose modules I was taking over, I absolutely loved this and was given lots of help and autonomy, which was amazing,
• Attending three conferences in Manchester, Belfast and Valencia.
  These were some of the stand-out experiences of my doctorate. I loved presenting, experiencing new places, and meeting PGRs studying similar aspects of linguistics, several of whom I’ve stayed in contact with.
• Studying Mandarin Chinese for 75 weeks over three years.
  Going to China has been a life-long dream of mine and gaining some familiarity with the language was amazing. Plus, this was free for PGRs!

All these activities contribute towards me feeling that I’ve had a wonderfully enriching experience as a PGR and gained far more than a doctorate.

I can’t over-emphasise how much the international community of PGRs (both in Huddersfield and those who I’ve met at conferences) have influenced me and opened my eyes to new experiences. In fact, my thesis had two dedications, to my grandparents and to all the international students who taught me so much about food, customs and culture.

If you want to find out more about the PGR Society here at Huddersfield why not read Victoria’s blog which tells you all about it.

Interested in postgraduate study? Book a place on our next Postgraduate Study Fair and explore your options