Just started? Here’s a helpful checklist for the first couple of months

This checklist is designed to help you navigate the first six months of your research degree.

Your first two weeks

  • Get in touch with your local HDR Administrator by sending them an email or visiting your relevant student office. Your HDR Administrator can help you find your desk, connect to internet and printing networks, and guide you through any necessary paperwork;
  • Get in touch with your HDR Convenor. This will be a member of the academic staff in your school who convenes your HDR cohort. Ask them if there are any upcoming induction events for new students in your College;
  • Pay your Services and Amenities fee and pick up your Student Card (which doubles as your library card) from Student Central;
  • Read the latest HDR Update. This newsletter advertises all kinds of opportunities and communities at ANU;
  • Find and bookmark your College’s policies and guidelines page. You don’t need to know all the rules, but it is important to know where to find them when you need them;
  • Read the Postgraduate and Research Students’ Association (PARSA) survival guide;
  • Arrange an informal meeting or coffee with your supervisor. Your first meeting can just be a casual conversation, but you should also try to schedule another meeting to establish your expectations of each other in the supervision relationship.
  • If you have a disability, medical condition (including mental illness)Ā or will be a recognised primary carer during your time at ANU, you can visit Access & Inclusion to discuss the support you can receive during your studies. This is a free and confidential service.

Your first three months

  • Get started on the Research Integrity Training course. This online module is compulsory for every ANU HDR student;
  • Meet with your supervisor to put together your supervisory panel and getting stuck in to your research project;
  • Complete your first Annual Plan. You should do this in discussion with your supervisory panel. This is a really useful way to plan your research activities for the coming year;
  • Check with your HDR Convenor if there is any compulsory coursework you must complete as part of your degree;
  • Attend an ANU-wide new student induction. These events are run every three months by the Research Training team, and are a great way to get to know ANU as an institution;
  • Have a look at all the other research training opportunities available throughout ANU and start to identify what might be relevant to you. The ANU Research Training team send out useful links continuously onĀ TwitterĀ andĀ Facebook;
  • Familiarise yourself with the milestone reporting that you will be asked to do throughout your degree. Many aspects of research degree administration vary between Colleges, but progress reports are submitted online via ISIS, so log in and have a look around;
  • Familiarise yourself with the ANU Library online and take advantage of their training and resources.

Your first six months

  • Meet all your panel members individually to discuss their roles in your research project;
  • Get involved in ANU events, communities and clubs. Research clearly shows that students with good social connections are more likely to successfully complete their degree, so taking some time to go to talks, seminars and social gatherings in your School is essential in becoming part of your intellectual community;
  • Familiarise yourself with the Research Awards Rules. These are the rules and guidelines that govern all higher degree by research programs at ANU. Knowing exactly what is expected of you as a candidate, and what you can expect from ANU is essential in setting yourself up for a successful candidature.

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