A short list of things I wish I had done during my PhD

This is a list coming straight from my experience and it is NOT a listicle (I hate that word. And the concept.). Just putting it out there, that I wish..

..I had written a review in my field BEFORE starting my PhD

When I was writing the introduction to my dissertation, I had the chance to fully focus on it (no experiments, just writing). I was going to the library every single day and learning so much, truly enjoying it, and at the same feeling embarrassed and guilty. Because these were subjects and papers that I should have already known. Some of this information would have definitely helped during the tough times, and most probably may have changed the course of the project or even solidified some results and inspired side projects as well. 

It would obviously be difficult to write a dissertation introduction before starting the PhD, since no one really knows where the project is going. That is why a review of the field is a better alternative: you get a nice paper as first author, plus your PI is signing it too, so it’s validated by an “authority” in the field.

..I had kept up with trendy techniques

At the time, some of today’s widely used techniques were just starting out. There seemed to be hype around RNAseq, CRISPR, iPS cells, but I never really paid attention to any of these. Whether we like it or not, “trendy” techniques are a thing. It does have an effect on reviewers (and your paper), when you use a new technique in your project. On the other hand, it is understandable that labs may not be able to afford such techniques when they are brand new, but this opens a door to collaborations, and that is beneficial for everyone.

..I had talked to PIs 

It might be uncomfortable sometimes, and fuel the impostor syndrome too. But I think conferences are a good place to take down hierarchical boundaries. I wish I had been braver and just asked that question.

Aren’t we all equals, after all?

..I had managed mine and everyone else’s expectations

When I started my PhD, I just dived right into the experiments and got a bit lost in the day to day of results after results. It would have been good to clarify with my supervisors what is expected of me and what my expectations are from them. There was no reason to be afraid of having those conversations.

..I had stared at the wall more

We have so many distractions around us and it is overwhelming. So, I love staring at the wall. That doesn’t necessarily have to be the only way to clear your mind; a shower or a long walk (without headphones) also works. It is truly amazing how this can fuel creativity, and doing this more would have helped with my projects too.

..I had talked to other PhD students

It is hard being an introvert. But extroverts are already organizing all the events and facilitating the interactions, so introverts just need to show up. If the plan is to stay in academia, what better way is there to meet your future field-mates.

..I had understood the need and value of having side projects

I loved my project. But for complicated reasons and unexpected factors (a story for another time), I could not really keep working on it. At the same time, I was dabbling in an adjacent area, doing small experiments here and there; and suddenly got a striking result. My little side project that did not have a clear purpose or future (or so I thought), from one day to the next, became my whole thesis. 

..I had read (much, much) more

The other day I saw a post on LinkedIn giving advice to PhD students, telling them to have a folder named “papers to read”, where you can keep dumping PDFs so you know where to look when you get some time to read. I say good luck to them, because I did have such a folder that kept growing and growing and became impossible to keep up with. I probably only opened that folder once or twice. But if I had written a review from the beginning (see my first wish), and already had a solid basis, it would have been considerably easier for me to read the subsequent newly published papers. And to be clear, I do enjoy reading but it is hard not to get overwhelmed by the colossal volume of data out there.

..I had a (vague) plan 

I always lived with the short term in mind. I loved what I was doing at THAT moment. Unfortunately contracts are short in academia. So having a vague long term plan would have definitely changed my trajectory, most certainly for the best. I know it is a classic question to ask: “Where do you see yourself in 5 years?”, but looking back, it would have been smart to take time to think about it.

..I didn’t dwell on things that failed

Because things failed… all the time. In fact, it is the natural state of things in the lab, that things fail. I wish I would have made my peace with the fact that getting a result is actually the surprising part. Then, saying "enough" when trapped in something that is not working would have been easier, and made room to look for alternative paths.

Welp.

Maybe you have lived some of this too, or have heard some of this advice before, and that is a good thing. My goal here was to share this as I lived it, but also in hopes that others can take it as partial guidance.

And if nothing else, just know you are not the only one who felt a little lost.