What to Expect in Your First Month of a PhD Program

There is no denying how exciting a PhD program can be. However, there is also the reality that starting one can also seem extremely daunting. In the first month of a PhD program, you probably won’t jump right into making an original contribution to science or scholarship. The initial few weeks are generally spent on a number of other things such as; orientation sessions (usually for all incoming graduate students), meeting your supervisor(s) and peers, getting familiarized with the university’s policies, fulfilling course work requirements, and determining the direction your research might take.

The purpose of this time is to help each PhD student make the transition from the structure of a class room based education system to the independent pursuit of research. If you’re asking yourself what do I need to expect in my first month of a PhD? Expect an adjustment. You’ll get used to being in a different type of academic setting, build relationships with faculty, and establish some basic research habits that will define your experience pursuing a doctorate. While each institution may follow their own path, many PhD programs have similar experiences during the first month.

Table of Content

What Happens in the First Few Weeks of a PhD Program?

The first month of the doctoral program will be a time where there is very little emphasis on conducting research and most importantly developing an awareness of how your university operates. Academic programs have a desire that their new students understand what are expected of them as academics prior to beginning the major undertaking of research.

Your initial month at the university will include attending workshops, completing the various administrative requirements, and participating in those sessions which are required by the university for all new research scholars.

The First Month at a Glance

Rather than worrying about immediate results, focus on understanding your research environment and building a solid foundation.

Understanding the PhD Onboarding Process

Many students find the transition from their undergraduate or master’s experience to pursuing a doctorate to be quite significant. To help facilitate this transition into the world of scholarly research, the on-boarding process for PhD candidates provides access to information about expected research standards, university academic policies and available resources.

What Does PhD Onboarding Look Like?

When you ask, “what does PhD onboarding look like?” it will generally include an overview of your department at the university; library resources and services; ethical considerations in conducting research; the use of laboratory space (if applicable); and/or the administrative procedures used by your graduate program.

Orientation may also include sessions on:

• Academic integrity and research ethics.
• University regulations.
• Digital research resources.
• Funding opportunities.
• Student support services.

These sessions may seem routine at first, but they provide valuable information that will support your research throughout the program.

PhD Coursework vs Undergraduate Expectations

One of the biggest adjustments involves understanding the difference between PhD coursework vs. undergrad expectations.

Undergraduate education often focuses on learning existing knowledge. A PhD, however, expects students to question, analyze, and contribute new knowledge to their field.

What Classes do you take in your first semester of a PhD?

The Classes you take in your first semester as a PhD student can vary based upon the university and discipline that you are enrolled in. For example, some programs will have courses such as “research methods,” “advanced theories,” “literature reviews,” “statistics” or other field specific courses which need to be completed prior to beginning your full time research. Other programs are more focused on seminar type discussions regarding your research.

Irrespective of how it is structured, the emphasis begins to shift from memorizing material to being able to think independently and analytically.

In addition, most research-based graduate programs include a large portion of your studies consist of journal article reading rather than textbook reading. The transition from traditional learning (reading textbooks) to learning through journals typically surprises new researchers, however once they get into their groove this is typical of what one would experience on an almost daily basis.

Choosing the Right PhD Advisor

One of the biggest decisions you’ll make early on (usually within the first month) as a PhD student, is choosing — or at least starting to explore — your potential PhD advisor.

“How do I select my PhD advisor in the first month?” is a common question asked by many students.

While many universities assign advisors prior to a student’s admission into their graduate program, many also give prospective students the opportunity to meet with and develop relationships with faculty prior to making an informed decision about which one they would like to work with.

As previously mentioned, there are four main qualities that define what makes a good advisor; having relevant expertise in your research area, communicating well with you, providing meaningful, constructive feedback, and encouraging your academic development.

The relationship you build with your supervisor can be significant over the course of the next few years — when you’re working closely together — so it’s extremely important to establish a positive and professional rapport with them from the very start.

Building Strong Habits as a First-Year PhD Student

The habits you develop during your first month often influence the rest of your doctoral journey.

First-Year PhD Student Checklist

Instead of trying to accomplish everything immediately, focus on building consistent routines.

A good starting point includes:

• Organizing research notes and references.
• Creating a realistic weekly schedule.
• Reading research papers regularly.
• Meeting your advisor consistently.
• Setting achievable short-term goals.

These habits reduce stress and make long-term research much more manageable.

It has been very useful for many scholars to connect with experienced senior PhD candidates that are able to provide real-world insights on how to approach the doctoral experience. Organizations such as AIMLAY assist prospective research scholars through resources related to pursuing higher education (including doctoral programs), accessing doctoral programs, and navigating academic procedures.

The support provided by organizations such as AIMLAY enable students to develop an understanding of what they can expect in terms of doctoral education prior to and during the time they are engaged in the research aspects of the program.

Conclusion

Although, there are some challenges associated with transitioning from a student to a researcher (e.g. assuming responsibility for all aspects of one’s research) this period represents the beginning of a potentially intellectually stimulating and rewarding career path.

In order to begin your doctoral experience with confidence, you need to have knowledge regarding the overall Ph.D. onboarding process, be involved in your university’s onboarding/orientation activities, develop a professional relationship with your advisor, and establish effective research habits. Each and every successful researcher at some point began their educational journey as a first year graduate student and the foundation established today will provide the support needed for continued success over the next few years.

Frequently Asked Questions