AHSS Virtual Coffee Morning Chats, organised by by Dr Niamh Lenahan, were set up for the AHSS postgraduate researchers where they could attend virtual themed workshops and participate in general discussions on the topics. This forum has provided a platform to enable the postgraduate community to keep in touch with each other while remaining off campus.
In July, 2021, our AHSS Virtual Coffee Chats theme revealed what students found helpful to keep them motivated during their PhD journey. ‘What worked for me and my PhD’ prompted students to share helpful hints about navigating through their PhD. Michelle Daly (MLAL), Louise Ryan (Sociology), Chris Fitzgerald (MLAL) and Elaine Walsh (EIC) all spoke about how they juggled family life, keeping a social life, remaining active, all while undertaking a PhD. The AHSS postgraduates advised on issues such as identifying the time of day they are most productive and to use this time to their own advantage; having study buddies; building on their relationships with their supervisors; advance planning of supervisor meetings; setting out achievable goals and timeframes; identifying administrative staff within UL who can assist you; recognising that the ‘imposter syndrome’ can strike any time and on several occasions but can also be overcome and the importance of taking breaks and enjoying them. A PhD journey is not a straight end-to-end journey it has many ups and downs, highs and lows but with good time management skills, it is achievable.