Starting a PhD can feel a bit vague at first, so induction week was actually really helpful in making things feel more concrete. Instead of trying to cover everything, I thought I’d share with you five things I really loved about the induction week.

1. How genuinely welcoming it felt

From the moment we arrived, it didn’t feel stiff or overly formal, which I think everyone was probably half expecting. Lina, Xose, Matthew, and the rest of the team were brilliant and made a real effort to create a relaxed, open atmosphere. It made it much easier to settle in and just get on with it rather than overthinking everything.

2. Realising everyone is a bit unsure (and that’s normal)

Talking to other PhD students was probably the most reassuring part of the week. Whether people were just starting or already a year, two, or more in, there was a shared sense that no one really has it all figured out. And that was … oddly comforting. It made the whole process feel a lot more doable and a lot less like you’re supposed to have a master plan from day one.

3. Hearing what other people are working on

Listening to people talk about their research was another highlight. There was such a mix of topics, but what stood out the most was how much thought and care these researchers put into their work. It was one of those moments where you realise you’re in a room full of genuinely interesting people, which was both humbling and motivating at the same time.

4. Letting go of the idea that everything has to be perfect from the start

A big shift for me came from the more informal conversations during the week. It became clear quite quickly that research proposals aren’t set in stone and that changing direction is not only allowed but expected. That took a lot of pressure off. It made it easier to see the PhD as something that develops over time rather than something you have to get exactly right straight away.

5. The sessions that stayed with me

Some sessions naturally stood out more than others. Dr Patrice Seuwou’s session on equality, diversity, and inclusion was one of them. It led to some really interesting conversations and got me thinking about things I hadn’t really considered in depth before. It’s also probably where a new research interest started to form, which I wasn’t expecting going in.

Alongside all of that, the more practical sessions on ethics, time management, tools and expectations were useful in giving a clearer idea of what’s ahead. Nothing felt overwhelming, but it made it clear that there’s a lot to think about beyond the research itself.

Overall, the week made the whole idea of starting a PhD feel less like stepping into the unknown and more like joining something that, while still challenging, is shared with others going through the same process.

Blog post written by: Andra Abu Ghuwaleh