Top 6 things I learned in my first 6 months of my PhD
So here I am, 6 months into this thing that I dreamed of doing for years in my undergrad, and at some point even something I thought wasn't going to happen after initial rejections.
#1: However long you think it will take to complete a piece of your project or most tasks really, even with a generous estimate, double that time lol
#2: There is literally no point to comparing yourself to your peers, and that is liberating! :) everyone in your cohort and lab has a unique and different background. In my case, I'm an engineer in a room FULL of psychologists and each one of them is so different from the other still! Comparing yourself/your project or your accomplishments to them and theirs makes absolutely no sense :D so remember that always and be free!
#3: If your supervisor(s)* aren't freaking out or nervous about something, whether it's a deadline, milestone, whatever, then neither should you be!! (*assuming good, supportive supervisors)
#4: In the beginning, take advantage of being new and introduce yourself to EVERYONE and at least get an idea of what they do. You never know who may be able to help you with the annoying server, the niche programming package, or a particular difficult method later down the line.
#5: Remember you are a student. Don't be so hard on yourself and think "damn, I should know this already" or "wow how embarassing idk how to do this." Student is part of your title (still applies to candidates), and if you knew these things already, then you'd have the degree already and there'd be no need to venture in and learn anything ;)
#6: Be honest when you are struggling. Even simply to the colleague or lab buddy that says "how's it going?" I can't tell you how many times I've been vulnerable and said "actually this weekend I had a little cry because I was homesick" and my buddy gives me a hug, and I feel SO much better afterward. Or my colleague shares a similar story and I don't feel so alone :) support systems are everything in this journey!
Some of these were told to me by our most senior PhD (now postdoc) in our lab, and they ring true. I try to keep these all in mind when I am stressed or struggling, and they have helped immensely.
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