As I reach the first year milestone of my PGR journey and sign up for year two, I find myself reflecting on how the year has gone.

It started with training on the systems, processes and some consideration of the road ahead. It was great to meet the other PGR students and the support team tasked with guiding us through. Everyone was daunted at the prospect of going it alone and losing the weekly structure of seminars, even those that had been working in between. The first step of planning the project seemed a simple process, without the weight of having any of the research! And the initial compilation of secondary research presented a huge mountain that only experience suggested could be slowly surmounted. Being organised was key, logging reading and annotations until enough books had been consumed to get some words down. This came as a big relief – the huge piece of writing had been started, each word one less to summon up. The necessary ethics courses and applications were testing and I felt the need for more training here – each project is different by requirement and it’s difficult for the process to flex accordingly. Self-motivation is key throughout, the various events, conferences and faculty get-togethers have really helped step back and see the bigger subject picture periodically. Attending Transfer seminars has given a great perspective on what is required from my turn at this key step. And for a part time student, having a chapter and view on how the overall thesis will look in 18 months felt challenging at about the 9 months mark. But, with some writing done and seminars attended, it suddenly felt achievable and it’s in the diary well ahead of schedule. My supervisory meetings have been productive and really moved the project on, allowing me to air my thoughts and hear them out loud, whilst receiving some expert critique and ideas. They seem to come around very quickly, especially when there are school holidays to contend with and study breaks are needed.

Overall, I’ve felt in control, organised, pleased to find I have the first 13,000 words done and am getting ready for transfer.  The project has evolved and expanded as my knowledge has grown, but the subject is clearly defined and approach structured and this has not changed, which has really helped.  The UoN inter-library loan service has been invaluable – they have quickly provided over 60 books for review which form a significant proportion of my Bibliography. The PGR workspace has been a great sanctuary from the rest of my life and provided a routine for study. The Waterside Cafe has fuelled me with restorative sausage baps, which may well require me to thank them in my final thesis. I wonder if I can offer any words of wisdom to anyone contemplating becoming a PGR? I think clarity on your topic, ongoing review of structure, focusing on bringing out your personal creativity and perspective are key. And my advice? You can do this – break it down, plan it out and take it a bit at a time, it will happen.

Blog post written by: Catriona Lougher