What I wish I had known before starting my PhD at a UK university

Things no one told me:n

• The loneliness of the first year is completely normal — knowing this in advance helps
• Joining the postgraduate researchers association early is one of the highest-return things you can do
• Your supervisor is not there to motivate you — that is your job
• Progress is non-linear — some weeks nothing works and that is part of research, not a sign you are failing

nnWhat I would do differently:n

• Be more upfront with my supervisor about my writing anxiety from the start
• Set clearer boundaries between work and personal time from week one

nnUKBuddy PhD Wellbeing Resources