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
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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?
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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
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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: studentcounselling@tcd.ie
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