At the beginning of 2025, prey of laziness and victim of abundant meals, I was killing my time scrolling X (formerly known as Twitter). That’s when I stumbled upon someone (oranged because irrelevant to the narrative and for privacy) offering advice to prospective (or 1st-year) PhD students, which I found a bit grotesque.

The post in question is based on another interaction between a student who seeks advice for first-year PhD students, and someone who simply replied, “do impactful research” (see the dark box). Based on this, the author of this post mocked the response and went on offering their “proper” advice (text in the white part of the figure).
It is grotesque because it seems to come from an overachiever’s perspective, which can create unrealistic expectations and add unnecessary pressure to an already demanding PhD journey.
As a former PhD student, now supervisor, educator, and PGR tutor, I believe that the advice is still not enough, and I want to offer a slightly different perspective.
Remember PhD is a solo journey and the only outcomes that matter are your research and your scientific contributions. But let’s then analyse and reflect on each point.
1. Yes, reading papers is good for staying ahead of the curve. Also, you want to stand on the shoulders of giants. However, not all of them will be equally important to you, and learn how to discern good-quality papers. Don’t use citation count or whether they are reproducible as a sign of quality. Build your own critical tool. This skill will be invaluable, especially when it comes time for your final examination.
2. Prioritise your research! Look for senior people to read your research, give you feedback and a reality check, and perhaps work with you. Working with senior people is also an option, provided you know what to expect from the collaboration. Regularly assess whether it is truly beneficial or becomes a distraction from your own work.
3. Internships are not mandatory (though scholarship requirements may vary). If you really need to do it, seek the right people who will help you with your research, and offer the chance to learn new skills and values. As with any collaboration, establish clear expectations and objectives (see point 2).
4. Gym is not for everyone. Walking is just as fine. Also, gym subscriptions can be expensive depending on where you study. Here is your sanity at stake, and you need to regulate cortisol. Hence, anything that makes you disconnect. In this regard, take care of your diet by eating food rich in vitamin B (which metabolises cortisol), magnesium (which regulates neurotransmitters and reduces muscle tension), and omega 3 (which lowers inflammation in cortisol).
5. Not sure whether programming skills are essential for a PhD in Business or Social Science (coding can mean different things). Also, computer scientists usually already have strong programming skills at the beginning of their PhD. Instead of focusing solely on programming, I recommend developing the core skills within your specific field and any other skills that can enhance your productivity. A helpful exercise is to conduct a “skill audit” with your supervisors to identify areas for improvement.
In general, every PhD journey is different, and anyone can give you all sorts of advice. This can easily misguide you. Ultimately, what matters most is that you prioritise your research above all else.