A Clear Path Forward: Shaping Your PhD Journey
To start the day, we focused on providing a clear understanding of what the shape of a PhD is supposed to be. PhD candidates often come to their research with a sense of excitement, but the path ahead can seem overwhelming. Our goal was to break down the process and give each participant a roadmap to navigate their way through the next several years.
We walked them through the key stages of a PhD, from the chaos of a Training and Supervision Plan to the day they stand in the aula and say ‘Hora Est’. We highlighted the importance of managing time effectively, setting clear milestones, and knowing when and how to seek help. By demystifying the journey ahead, we aimed to empower our PhD candidates to approach their research with a clear and organized mindset. Additionally, Lex Mundos of the PhD Network Netherlands (PNN) was invited to talk about the labor rights PhD candidates enjoy. You can find more about that on their website, which provides valuable information for all PhD candidates in the Netherlands.
But a PhD is not just about research. It's also about building networks, engaging with the academic community, and fostering meaningful connections. To foster this sense of community, we organized a guided peer walk, where participants had the chance to interact with fellow PhD candidates from different disciplines. The guided peer walks not only allowed them to form meaningful relationships but also gave them an opportunity to share their experiences and aspirations with new PhDs from different faculties, creating the opportunity to build cross-departmental relationships.
Afternoon Workshops: Practical Skills for a Successful PhD
In the afternoon, we offered a series of three workshops, each designed to address essential aspects of the PhD journey. These workshops were tailored to equip our new candidates with the practical tools and strategies they will need to thrive during their doctoral studies.
Plan Your PhD: This workshop focused on the importance of planning and setting clear goals throughout the PhD trajectory. Candidates were guided through the process of creating a personalized PhD timeline, highlighting key milestones and deadlines. Effective planning is one of the most important skills for PhD candidates, and this workshop provided the necessary tools to help candidates stay organized, focused, and productive. The participants were asked to articulate specific short-term and long-term goals, resulting in a preliminary 2-year Gantt-chart to help them along. An additional emphasis on finding time for yourself was added; it’s easy to get lost in the importance of PhD, but there should always be time for self-care.
Start to Teach: Many PhD candidates at VU will have the opportunity to teach as part of their academic journey. This workshop was designed to help candidates become effective educators by introducing them to teaching methods, classroom dynamics, and ways to engage students in meaningful learning experiences. Participants learned how to develop their own teaching style, how to create interactive lessons, and how to foster an inclusive classroom environment. Teaching is an invaluable skill for any PhD candidate, and this workshop offered guidance on how to approach teaching responsibilities with confidence and enthusiasm. If you’re interested in this topic, the CTL has courses for PhD’s to take.
Flourish in Your PhD: A PhD journey can be mentally and emotionally demanding. To help candidates maintain their well-being and thrive throughout their studies, this workshop focused on mental health and self-care. PhD candidates often face challenges related to stress, isolation, and imposter syndrome, and this workshop provided practical strategies for managing these challenges. Topics covered included mindfulness, time management, and seeking support when needed. We emphasized the importance of prioritizing mental health and maintaining a healthy work-life balance in order to flourish both academically and personally. For more information on this, please check out the Caring Universities platform, a mental health platform developed for students and university employees!
Looking Ahead: A Supportive Community for Every PhD Candidate
By the end of the day, the PhD candidates had a clearer vision of their academic journey and the support networks available to them. They left the event not only with valuable tools and resources but also with a sense of belonging to a larger community. The day was a reminder that a PhD is not a solitary endeavor but a shared experience where collaboration, support, and mentorship play a crucial role in success.
As the PhD Council, the CTL and the NoGS, we hope that this pilot was the start to more PhD support to come. We are excited to see how the new PhD candidates will shape their journey, develop their research, and contribute to the academic community at VU.