PhDiaries introduction and first entry

I am excited to share a new segment on the Dr.ofwhat blog. Something a little bit different and a little more creative. I have been working on this project for a little while and I wasn’t sure in what format I wanted to share it. After a bit of thought, I have decided I want to share it on the blog as a weekly or fortnightly post. This is the PhDiaries. Diary entries from a PhD student throughout the PhD Journey. My intention is to touch on the little day to day things that PhD students encounter or the every day thoughts that they have.

These diary entries are based on myself, however there is a lot of creative license used, particularly as it has been a lot of years since the start of my PhD. Reflection can definitely mould or more accurately deform memories. Plus sometimes creative licensing is a little more interesting.

Anyway, that is enough of an introduction, here is the first entry.

14th February 2016

Today was the day that I started my PhD journey. I have been so excited for this day, all through summer and over the holiday period I have been itching to sink my teeth into the world of research. Truthfully I still have no idea what I am doing. I don’t even really know what a PhD is. But I showed up to the office, turned on my computer and started. Started what, I am not sure. But I started. Today felt very different to a first day of work, it was less of an orientation and more of finding your office and starting pretending that you know what you’re doing. A real fake it until you make it vibe. I still can’t believe that I have been given the opportunity to research something that I am passionate about for the next three years (surely I will get it done in 3 years?) and I get paid for it!

The office is dull, it has no windows and off-coloured white paint on the wall. But a little part of it is mine. The other PhD students in the office are fantastic and I am excited to get to know them more. I have no idea where this journey will take me, but I am ready to get started!

Until next time,

B.