The first year of a PhD in Canada: what I would tell myself
Moving countries, changing from practice to research and learning a new academic culture all at once. Some practical advice from the other side of year one.
- Written by
- Ser Civil
I arrived in Montréal in late August 2023 with two suitcases, a scholarship letter and a vague research proposal. A year later, the proposal is sharper, the suitcases are in a closet, and I have a list of things I wish someone had told me.
On research
Your supervisor wants to see rough work early. A messy draft in October beats a polished one in March.
Read fewer papers more carefully. Keep a one-paragraph summary of each one you cite.
Book laboratory time before you think you need it.
On moving to Québec
Learn French early, even if your programme is in English. Site visits, technicians and daily life will reward it.
Buy proper winter boots in October, not in January.
Find one community outside the university.
On coming from industry
Experience from practice is an asset in research, but it can also make you impatient. The slow parts, such as reading, framing and checking, are where research questions become defensible.
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