Blog
In this first of blog series on her PhD journey, Chidinma Okorie writes a note to remind herself and anyone reading this blog of the importance of mental health and wellbeing. Happy reading! 😊 Dearest self, How are you today? Did you manage to get enough rest? Have you eaten? How did your exercise session […]
By Agostinho Pinnock In the last edition of this blog post I spoke about the early moments of ‘life in Loughborough’ as a foreign student enrolled in a PhD programme here. Among others this second section looks at the some of the other parts of that experience and offers some suggestions to others in a […]
… on being a student again, coping with life in L’boro and adjusting to a new culture! By Agostinho Pinnock Introduction: This post talks openly – or as openly as is possible in this context, about issues of ‘difference’, as well as our shared similarities, specifically at the level of culture, amongst PhD students, here […]
September 1978: I went up to Brasenose College Oxford to begin a DPhil in Economics with some trepidation and a research council bursary, having survived an interview with Joe Stiglitz, who was later to win a Nobel Prize. I was 23. My Mum had died at the age of 42 not long before. It was […]
Volunteering with a local organisation can reap great rewards. Whilst research and writing up take up the lion’s share of undertaking a PhD, there is the Skills Matrix that also has to be completed, especially when working towards the progression panel meeting. Often referred to as ‘The Wheel of Fortune’, the Skills Matrix has four […]
There may be budding thespians among you who are looking for an opportunity to ‘tread the boards’. PhDs are hard work and often isolating, so joining a society could be conducive to finding a distracting relaxation. The LSU Shakespeare Society may be the answer, whether an actor or a beholder, it promises exceptional productions. Find […]
Looking back, our blog posts have reflected on problems faced whilst researching and writing up a PhD and many helpful suggestions have been explored, especially in times of crisis and uncertainty. There have been some useful links to where help can be found and there are more on our home page under Links/Support Services. The […]
I’ve just read Dr Andrew Rowe’s blog, which was posted about 10 months ago, called “Student Minds: The Importance of Support”. I am grateful to Andrew for sharing his experiences and his hope that it would encourage other PGRs to open up. Job done, Andrew, because what follows is a summary of some of my […]
I successfully defended my PhD viva back in March 2017. I was only in there for 50 minutes, which felt like 3 hours! “Enjoy it,” I was told by friends and fellow peers, “it will be the only time you will get to talk to people who are genuinely interested in your research.” To be […]
It’s something that we, as PhD students, don’t do often enough – seek help, and knowing when to seek help is important as well. I think sometimes it’s the perception that we may be seen as weak by others if we do seek help, especially in a competitive academic environment where mental illness is stigmatised […]
