Settling into your Postgraduate Study
1pm- 2pm 3rd Floor Room 318 Dr. Mark Matthews & Dermot Coonan
Student Learning Development http://student-learning.tcd.ie
The long distance runner…
Progress hard to monitor and much of the work is done in isolation
• • • •
Smaller student network Tutorial responsibility Smaller academic network Often need to work off own schedule
Getting started
1. What stage are you at? 2. What are your concerns? – – – – –
Transition Orientation The research process Confusion and lack of control Study skills
Write down on a piece of paper the greatest challenge you will face: My greatest challenge might be……
Ask yourself: What is it I most love about my studies?
1. What do I enjoy about my course…. 2. Why am I doing this…. 3. What do I want to have learned at the end..
Getting Started
• Where can I find what I have to do? • Order out of chaos • Reading about the process Visit: http://www.tcd.ie/orientation/
Your Toolbox Technical Skills
Communication Skills
Research Skills
SelfManagement
1. Subject-Skills
Department specific • Course Handbook • Department Seminars Self-directed
2. Communication Skills
• Supervisor’s role Peer Support • Study Partners • Discussion Groups
• Postgraduate Advisory Service • Social • English
3. Research Skills Library • Literature Reviews, Database Searches Information Systems Services • Software support (Word, SPSS, Endnote) Student Learning Development • Academic Writing, Critical Thinking Reflective Journals
4. Self-Management
• • • • • • •
Psychological Realistic planning Steady pace Plan where to put effort Balanced life Specific, measurable goals Rewards
Get a diary
• Practical • Check daily • Dates, meetings, lectures, timetable
When stressed, try to come back to what you know.
When bored look for the novel.
Practical Tips
• Plan a time in the day when you do nothing at all • Learn to switch off –to rest your brain • Constant brain stimulation without a break can drain you • “Down time”-Meditation, walk, clearing the mind of the noise
In groups, take some of the challenges written down earlier and find solutions for them.
Problem: Possible Solution: Are there common themes?
Space I am very particular about where and when I study. I find it more comforting when I am studying in a clean and comfortable spot. I find it best to study between late afternoon evening. I “I feel like I’m being takenand advantage can't stand much background noise so I of – doing work not related towith mythePhD” usually study in my bedroom door closed and the window open for a nice breeze to come through. David
Social
"I'm not a Trinity graduate and I've found it difficult to meet people and get involved in other things ?"
Need more help? I need help with study skills? • Contact Student Learning Development | http://studentlearning.tcd.ie • The Post-graduate Summer School runs once a year in the summer: https://podcast.tcd.ie/users/summerschool/ I’m writing a literature review? • Contact your subject librarian http://www.tcd.ie/Library/support/contact/index.php I need training using Word, Powerpoint, SPSS, Endnote etc. • Information Systems Services (http://isservices.tcd.ie/training/ ) • Other Postgrads may be willing to offer a tutorial service
Need more help? I need advice on dealing with stress • Student Counselling Service | Ph:018961407 | email:
[email protected] I need general advice on being a post-graduate • Postgraduate Advisory Service | http://www.tcd.ie/Senior_Tutor/postgraduate/ • Graduate’s Student Union | http://www.gsu.tcd.ie/node/ • Student Learning Development | http://student-learning.tcd.ie | I want to get involved in social events: • Get involved in a society | http://www.trinitysocieties.ie/ • Join the gym | http://www.tcd.ie/Sport/ • Join one of the 50 sports clubs | http://www.ducac.tcdlife.ie/
You are responsible for your own learning • Get involved socially • Develop skills systematically and progressively • Get going now • Stay on top of your work • Seek help if you want to do better
What can you do now?
1. What can I do to clarify what I am doing? 2. What do I need to formalise with my supervisor? 3. What supports can I set up for myself? 4. How will I know if I am making progress? 5. Will I be coming to the other Student Learning workshops?
Other Resources
https://podcast.tcd.ie/users/summerschool/
Student Learning Development Thank you for your time
Visit our website at: http://student-learning.tcd.ie
My greatest challenge might be _____________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________
Problem
Re-write the problem in your own words
Possible Solutions List as many things to do that you can think of
