Monday 13-05-2024 - 15:01

 

Starting a PhD is terrifying. You are thrown headfirst into a new world of self-directed learning, experiences, and opportunities. The people who surround you are intelligent, directed, and excellent, and you do not yet know what you are doing or where you are going.  There are so many opportunities offered to new PGRs, and this can be overwhelming. You don’t know what will benefit you the most in your very limited time, and it is very easy to let these opportunities pass you by as you try to find your footing. I began my PhD in September 2023, and over the first few months, I was invited to many events, some of which I attended and some of which I did not. The events I chose initially were usually either the most relevant to my field (e.g., conferences) or were familiar in some way (e.g., home university events). We have all heard many times that self-advocacy and self-promotion are necessary for advancement and that you cannot grow without testing your boundaries, but this feels so unachievable when you’re still at the beginning of your studies. What business do I have telling these people that I and my research are great when I feel like I don’t even know what I’m doing yet?! But, after some internal monologuing and debate, I did the scary thing and signed up for an event where I knew no one. I signed up for a writing retreat, knowing that I needed some dedicated time (and maybe some accountability) to get stuck into writing.  

 

I attended the DTA Residential Writing Retreat hosted at Missenden Abbey from 9^th to 11^th April.  I went in, on day one, expecting everyone to know everyone and to have to push myself out of my comfort zone to engage effectively with others. I expected a stiff, formal environment and that I would be unable to keep up. In hindsight, this could not be farther from the truth.  

 

The Retreat  

Attending this retreat is one of the most valuable experiences I have had for personal and professional development so far in my journey as a PGR, and it did wonders for how much writing I was able to accomplish. The working environment was non-judgmental and pleasant, with regular breaks allowed for networking. I found that seeing others working spurred me on when I hit a wall. The setting of the retreat was idyllic and relaxing. There were many options to go for a walk or just exist in nature, either alone or with others, and in front of the residential rooms there was a lake that was illuminated with fairy lights at night, which added to the magic of the location. What sealed the deal was that Roald Dahl lived in Great Missenden for 36 years until his death, and this left an imprint on my attitude and general motivation when writing. Not to mention the free food and coffee, which was amazing too! 

 

The main takeaway for me leaving the event, however, was the social and networking elements of the retreat. Whilst I was worried beforehand that I would feel like an outsider, everyone was so approachable. It gave me an opportunity to meet numerous brilliant people and hear about their research, but also the opportunity to  practice my “elevator pitch” and tell others about my research. There was no sense of division between PGRs and supervisors/staff, everyone was warm, welcoming, and genuinely interested in the work of others. I even met people who offered to help with recruitment, etc., for my forthcoming studies, which is valuable and something I would have missed out on otherwise. 

 

Before this event, I felt that my comfort zone was Coventry University and that any external events would always be stressful. However, I am glad to say that the supportive environment at the DTA writing retreat allowed me to grow in confidence as a PGR and realise that sometimes doing the scary thing can turn into brilliant experiences I wouldn’t have wanted to miss out on. 

 

Key Insights and Reflections 

I would recommend any new DTA researcher, take the jump, attend the event. Attending the residential writing retreat was something that was enjoyable and had so much value, both professionally and personally. Not to mention how many more words can be achieved when you are in a quiet environment, switched off from  surroundings, and other working distractions like emails. Doing this early on in my PhD has enabled me to find my footing with these events, my own working style, and priorities, which I hope will help me down the line when the pressure is on. In short, if you find yourself on the fence about whether to attend something, make the jump. All experiences are valuable during your PhD, and if you take the first leap early on where the pressure is lighter, you can make the most of it going forward.  

 

I would also like to say a big thank you to the DTA team and everyone in attendance. The environment you collaboratively built was more than I could have hoped, and the event was fantastic. I look forward to future events, and hearing how everyone's research is progressing!