Tip #1– Pay attention when they are talking about their PhD (or at least pay attention 20% of the time) so you can answer “what does [insert name] do for their PhD?” when you are put on the spot
Tip #2- Always make sure the coffee is stocked up (& the wine while you are at it!)
Tip #3- Expect them to be tired 87.7% of the time
Tip #4- Probably don’t ask when they are going to finish their PhD (when they know they will tell you)
Tip #5- Never refer to their PhD as ‘study’ or ‘uni’, go with ‘work’ or ‘research’ instead
Tip #6– Make them take time for themselves (even if they protest)
Tip #7- Celebrate the small wins with them
Tip #8- Know that they appreciate you (sometimes they just don’t say it – which they know is bad!)
Tip #9- Remember tip #2 is essential
Tip #10- Remember that a PhD doesn’t go forever (despite it feeling like it does) and that the PhD-related stress (theirs and yours) will be over soon
Comment
[…] Survival tips for loved ones of PhDers […]