I’ve had an exciting day. For the past few months I’ve been acting president of our postgraduate students’ association on campus. Right when I was feeling unmotivated and unappreciated I got a much needed boost. An impromptu meeting led to an hour of excited chatter about what postgrads need and how we can provide it. There’s something so energising about meeting someone on the same wavelength as you; perhaps it’s just having someone agreeing with you!
This week I’ve been frustrated at people who are all talk and no “do”. I far prefer to shut my mouth and get things done. So I went into this meeting with the attitude of “what can I do for you right now?” When one of us came up with a good idea, I asked “so what do we have to do to get this started?” Both of us left knowing what we needed to do and I’m pleased to say my side of things are already underway.
The postgrad association has been offered a great opportunity to put together a welcome presentation for incoming international postgraduates. When an idea bites me, it bites me so hard I can’t think of anything else. So now I’m committed to putting together a welcome package that can be adapted and used after I’m gone.
All afternoon I’ve been reading other university websites, checking in on student services, and pulling up resources that will be useful to postgraduates.
Not sure who’s reading this at the moment, but if you have any ideas on what information you wanted when you first started postgraduate studies, I’d love to hear them. I’m sure I’ll stumble across some interesting information that I’ll post and discuss here.
Hmm…I’m coming to the end of my PhD (hopefully) and I have been reflecting on what I would have done differently if I could. I think it would have been helpful to know what is expected of me, and how much responsibility should I expect to have (or not have). This would help students know the boundaries of where their supervisor is being too controlling (as in my case) or too hands off.
There is something in my university’s guidelines, but maybe making sure that they are highlighted (rather than found months or years later) would be useful!
Yay, you’re still here!
I agree that helpful things can be buried in “guidelines” so you don’t find them til years after you needed them.
Good luck getting to the end.
Haha! Yep…still lurking around
. Good luck with the postgrad association!