In January, Bristol Doctoral College decided to shake things up a bit when it came to supporting our PGRs. The idea was to create a relaxed, low-pressure space where PGRs could dip in and out as they pleased; a calm, safe environment to chat, reflect, and learn how to navigate a research degree.
Our new event, A Quiet Guide to PGR Life, was so successful that we’re making it a regular feature of the Personal Professional Development (PPD) calendar.
The event incorporated a mixture of creative, crafty, and thought-provoking activities designed to help PGRs make the best start in their research journey. Highlights included:
Candle Project Planning
PGRs broke down their research into smaller, manageable tasks and then painted those tasks onto a candle. The idea is to burn each section of the candle as you complete the task. It’s like a to-do list or project plan with a twist!
Motivational Banners
Participants created banners to help keep them focused and inspired. This sparked some really interesting conversations about procrastination — remember, it’s not always the enemy. Sometimes, taking a step back to think, rest, or even daydream can lead to moments of genius.
Wheel of Life Reflections
This activity was all about self-reflection. PGRs used the ‘wheel of life’ method to take stock of their skills and identify areas for growth. It was a great way to think about priorities for development without feeling overwhelmed.
PGR Clubs
Craft Club and Board Game Club were also on hand to lead activities and introduce their community events.
The best part of the day (aside from the pastries) was definitely the vibes! Feedback from PGRs was overwhelmingly positive. People loved the calm, friendly atmosphere where they could share ideas without judgment. One participant put it perfectly:
“The supportive atmosphere where everyone was able to express their concerns, difficulties, and experiences was a lovely reassuring experience.”
Dedicated space for attendees to ask anonymous questions, answers then sent out after the event
- Dedicated space for attendees to ask anonymous questions, answers then sent out after the event
What’s next?
We collected anonymous questions from PGRs throughout the morning, and the answers are now up on Padlet. If you’ve got more questions, feel free to add them, and keep checking back for updates.
If you missed A Quiet Guide to PGR Life this time, don’t worry — we’re already planning the next one. BDC are also going to use lessons from this event to make our PPD offer even more flexible, open, and friendly in the future.
Stay tuned, and in the meantime, be sure to check out our events calendar for more opportunities to get involved, or try our LinkedIn Learning resources for strategies to help you manage your research degree (remember to log in using your UoB email address).
Got thoughts or ideas for future sessions? Email us at doctoral-college@bristol.ac.uk — we love feedback!