Pals: The Importance of Friends

You've heard it said before: doing a PhD can be a lonely business. 

Making a few pals along the way is really important: 

a) to ensure that you don't turn into one of those 'eccentric' academics with less than perfect social skills and b) to keep you sane during your PhD.

Although it can be pretty nerve racking when you first start, taking other postgrads up on their offers for coffee or a pint is all it takes. Failing that, just talking to people in your office is just as good.  

I'm the first person to cringe at the thought of awkward silences and nervous eye contact, but it doesn't have to be that way. Remember what you have in common- doing a PhD. 

I've learned loads about what's involved in doing a PhD, from what to expect from the first Annual Progress Review to how to write an academic book review for a journal. Also:

THEY TELL YOU THINGS YOUR SUPERVISORS WON'T/CAN'T/SHOULDN'T

Some of the best advice I've been given this year was to start saving for a fourth year, even if you don't end up needing it. Why? Because despite how confident you are with that Gant chart you made during the submissions period, a lot of projects run over three years, and if your sponsored, that's when your money is going to dry up. 

I don't want to call this networking, because for me at least, that's what you do with other students and lecturers at more formal events and conferences. This is about trying to make a pal or two who you can turn to for advice and support, who you can help out in return, and maybe who'll also just let you rant at them when things get a bit wild.

Of course, sometimes, these friendships do turn into opportunities. Currently, thanks to a well connected pal, a group of friends and I are working as a team of Research Assistants on an arts and humanities project in our local area. Working with your mates, amazing. 

I've made some good pals last year and this year, and seriously, I can't imagine doing this without them. 

Kath

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