My Trip Did Not Start Well.
Week in the Life | DPhil Diaries
Have you ever wondered what doctoral students actually get up to?
There are many on Substack who are currently studying or have previously studied for a PhD/DPhil.
, , come to mind as those who have just completed or are about to complete their studies.Our weeks will all look different, but having just got back from a study visit to Oxford, I thought I’d share a ‘week in the life’, with photos and stories of what I got up to. A behind-the-scenes, if you like.
During my last visit, I shared what I consider to be Oxford’s top 3 historical moments. You can read it at the link below!
Day 1. Thursday.
Today started with me hurtling up the motorway only to realise that I’d left my student card at home, 140 miles away. That’s a 3 hour drive, and a six-hour round trip.
Oh dear.
Without my student card, I wouldn’t be able to access any of the libraries, borrow (or return) any books, or head to my college for their cheap-as-chips-but-oh-so-tasty lunches.
Oh dear indeed.
I stopped at a motorway services to send a quick email to the Bodleian Library to explain the situation, including the fact that my ID (required for temporary passes) was also in the wallet I’d left at home. Thankfully, by the time I reached Oxford just under an hour later, they’d replied to say that I’d be able to have a temporary pass. Phew!
In the afternoon I met with one of my supervisors to discuss my progress against actions at our last meeting in December. Because I am enrolled on a DPhil programme through the Continuing Education Department at Oxford (long story short - I can’t commit to full-time study with an 18-month-old toddler), I have two supervisors. And I couldn’t be happier about it! Two expert guides for the price of one. It was a great meeting; so, so encouraging. We went through some of my initial findings and agreed a plan for the next 6-8 weeks.
I then spent the afternoon (and evening) combing through archaeological records. It’s tedious work and doesn’t often bear fruit but when it does - oh it’s wonderful! I found a few new-to-me records for my studies.
