Here’s a general outline of what you might be doing in the early months of your research degree.

Of course, your day-to-day activities and schedule will vary according to your academic discipline, and also whether you’re full-time or part-time. This should give you an idea and also a basis for discussions with your supervisor.

1st Month

FIND OUT ABOUT AND ATTEND INDUCTION EVENTS

• Your Department/School
• Sussex Researcher School (SRS)
• Students' Union
• Central University induction
• Library tour

MAKE CONTACT WITH YOUR SUPERVISOR(S)

• Schedule your first meeting
• Check the frequency of subsequent meetings
• Establish expectations for your working relationship
• Use the Supervision Expectations Questionnaire to clarify your roles

BOOK WORKSHOPS

• Researcher Development Programme (RDP)
• English Language for Academic Studies (if applicable)

SETTLE DOWN IN THE UK / BRIGHTON / UNIVERSITY OF SUSSEX

• Explore your new environment
• Seek guidance from International Student Support (if applicable)
• Make some friends
• Look after your wellbeing by getting to know the support networks on campus

2nd Month

READ THE GUIDANCE AND REGULATIONS FOR POSTGRADUATE RESEARCHERS

• Make sure you understand the regulations and requirements
• Familiarise yourself with the annual review procedure

MAKE A PLAN FOR YOUR RESEARCH

• Schedule your work for the first year
• Make a rough plan for the following years

CHECK OUT THE LIBRARY

• Find out about the specialist support they offer researchers
• Explore the catalogue and collections for relevant books, journals and databases
• Take a Library literature searching workshop through the RDP
• Visit the Hive (top floor) if you're looking for study space

3rd Month

START PREPARING FOR YOUR FIRST PROGRESSION REVIEW

• Draft your research proposal
• Design your presentation (if applicable)

MEET YOUR RESEARCH COMMUNITIES

• Find out about the research centres and groups at Sussex
• Connect to other researchers in your field through ResearchGate, Academia.edu, Twitter, and subject specific networks

DECIDE HOW TO ORGANISE YOUR RESEARCH

• Explore software for writing, note-taking, and bibliographic referencing
• Find a suitable study space
• Establish your daily/weekly routine

4th, 5th and 6th Months

DO YOUR RESEARCH

• Get going with your research and keep a log
• Continue and modify your daily/weekly/monthly schedule

PREPARE FOR FIELDWORK / RESEARCH TRIPS

• Find out whether your research requires ethical review before planning your fieldwork

ATTEND A CONFERENCE

• Find out what’s happening in your field
• Register and attend an appropriate conference

TEACHING

• Consider signing up for the Fundamentals of Teaching and Learning in Higher Education course.