PhD: An uncommon guide to research, writing & PhD life

The title captures the content really well: it really is an uncommon guide to research, writing, and PhD life. Let me start by saying what this is not: it is not a sequel to a how-to-get-into-grad-school guidebook, i.e. it doesn't give you a to-do list of how to talk to your advisor, how to decide what classes to take, how to make a timeline, when and how to apply for fellowships, etc. It is also not a guide to research that tells you how to select your topic, how to theorize, etc. I can only think of describing this as a book that guides you how to think rather than what to do (although the author does give some practical tips for dealing with writer's block, proofreading, editing, etc.).At this point in my PhD (one month before my classes begin), I found this book extremely helpful in mentally preparing me for the years that lie ahead in terms of how to think about my work/career, how to approach my classes, how to keep my work organized, how to manage my time, how to associate with my colleagues, etc. Again, this is not really a how-to-do guide, it is a how-to-approach-stuff guide.This book answers all the questions that people have about PhD life but wouldn't be able to articulate them or know who to ask. I have actually tried asking current/recent students questions about some of the topics that this book touches upon. However, I think it's hard to get objective answers from current/recent PhDs because people's experiences and feelings about those experiences vary a lot. Only once you have stepped out of the experience completely are you able to reflect upon it in an unbiased way - which this author does to perfection.Finally, what I loved most about this book was that it leaves you feeling in control. The author discusses many setbacks he had during his PhD and how he overcame them and what worked and what didn't work. All of this makes you see the largely amorphous process of PhD as something which some amount of structure and predictability, while also learning to incorporate the unpredictability of certain parts of research (experiments/results) into your workplan.This is an excellent book if you are starting your PhD or are feeling stuck in the middle of your PhD. Go for it! :)

Hayton opens with an admission of being a sort of accidental PhD student, using what he was told in one failed admission interview to game the next one. I appreciate his honesty. Where he succeeds in this book, subtitled an "uncommon guide to research, writing, & PhD life" is offering both practical strategies and also a reasoned understanding of human nature, citing Daniel Kahneman as one of his major influences. Even though his PhD was in applied physics, Hayton did a nice job generalizing his experience and what he learned about the process of PhD study so that it applies to other fields.His thoughts on skill development during a PhD are probably the best part of the book, as are his perspectives on what earning a PhD actually means rather than what people often imagine it to mean. He gently disagrees with some ideas like writing garbage and fixing it later and offers alternatives. Many of the other ideas he shares are not new per se (e.g., cut off internet access), but he wraps them together in a slim and accessible volume. The first two-thirds of the book cover bigger-picture issues like research, academic literature, academic writing, publishing, and conferences. The final third of the book focuses specifically on writing a dissertation or thesis, building on earlier ideas in the book.The book suffers from a handful of editing mishaps - an irony considering Hayton's insistence on relatively careful writing and the editing process - and it was much less comprehensive than other books in this genre. I think the US $30 list price was a bit of a stretch considering it's a small short book with very wide margins, but it's certainly worth US $13 if you are pursuing a PhD.

A very practical and enjoyable read. The book offers many tips on improving ones research habits. I enjoyed the books broad spectrum of content and expectations of a Ph.D dissertation. Would recommend to fellow students.

I've been considering starting a PhD for some time but really understood little of the overall process. This book outlines the process from start to finish nicely. In some areas it lacks detail, e.g. in how to pick your thesis topic, but there are plenty of other books that focus on the areas of lack. The strength of this book lies in clarifying the broad picture.I had no real idea of what an oral defence entailed, for example, and was concerned about that aspect of the process. I now have a far better idea of it as well as a solid approach that could be used.The book is structured in a linear way, with clear examples. The author is an experimental physicist, yet this is not obtrusive. His writing, in plain language, is equally applicable to any other discipline.Highly recommended as a starting point if you are considering treading this path.

His tips are useful and help clear my vision towards Ph.D. life.Although many of them seem common sense, people, including me, overlook them when facing tons of information under time pressure.Also, the book answers several questions I used to have in mind but didn't know who I should consult with.

This publication gives practical guidance for prospective student who has ambition to pursue higher level education. The information in this book will be useful to prospective students.

I am thinking of writing a PhD at some stage soon, and this book gave me confidence in my ability to do it. Proof of the pudding is in the eating. When I am half way through I will complete the review...

Must read for any PhD students starting their program!