Students

Any other PhD students that have any advice for a newbie?

I'm starting my first year of my PhD program in the end of September and I am really excited. I am also very nervous. Is there anyone else here who is in a program that has any tips?

Also I was wondering what any of your thoughts are on my possible thesis idea: how music (bass and tone) of the song influences the mood and cognitive abilities of humans and relate that to how babies relate to calming music and freak with loud sounds. Does this seem like a good topic for a master thesis? Thank you for all of your help.
Visit The Knot Photobucket Photobucket
<a href="http://www.theknot.com/?utm_source=ticker&utm_medium=HTML&utm_campaign=tickers" title="Wedding Planning"><img src="http://global.theknot.com/tickers/tt1ce9f8.aspx" alt="Wedding Countdown Ticker" border="0"/></a>


Re: Any other PhD students that have any advice for a newbie?

  • What sort of program are you in?  If you're just starting now, do you already need to have a thesis?  And do you have to get your master's first, since you mention masters thesis, but PhD program?  I think this board is probably too diverse to help you out with your thesis, but you should have mentors and committees to help you shape your ideas in your program.

    Regardless, welcome to the board!
    Image and video hosting by TinyPic
    Lilypie First Birthday tickers
  • My program is clinical psychology and our program you have to do a thesis and a dissertation, but is a 6 year program encompassing everything. I know that there are a lot of different majors and programs here, but I was wondering for some general opinion instead of specific about my approximate subject. As far as looking into it already, I am just one really excited and also want to start thinking about some possible subjects to be ahead of the game.
    Visit The Knot Photobucket Photobucket
    <a href="http://www.theknot.com/?utm_source=ticker&utm_medium=HTML&utm_campaign=tickers" title="Wedding Planning"><img src="http://global.theknot.com/tickers/tt1ce9f8.aspx" alt="Wedding Countdown Ticker" border="0"/></a>


  • Hi! I'm starting my master's in musicology in just a few weeks! My program sounds similar, 2 years for master's, an additional 4 for phd. There is a lot of research out there on babies and music that might be helpful...there's a PBS dvd called The Music Instinct that gave me a good general background for my needs (since I'm not in the psych field) but there is a good segment on lullabies and babies and how in every culture, the babies are soothed by lullabies. I highly recommend this dvd; there are many interesting sections on different psychology and music connections (as well as physics and anthropology). Good luck!
  • lildevi15lildevi15 member
    First Comment
    edited August 2010
    I am not exactly sure how your advisors work, but the best advice I can give is find the advisor that will be the best mentor.  It won't matter which field you specialize in, if you have a good advisor - you'll be happy to go to work and you'll find whatever you work on interesting.  But if you join an advisor because of their field or a project even though that advisor isn't a good one, you will lose interest in your thesis if a poor advisor/work environment ends up causing you a lot of grief.
  • Thank you all.!!

    Lildevil: Ya that is why I am starting so soon in thinking about what I want to do because the closer it gets to a deadline the more I want to procrastinate, so I typically try to work on stuff WAY ahead of time and plus I will be more intensely planning the wedding while I am workin on my thesis.

    Zippy: That sounds like a gread idea for a possible source. Thanks for your advice
    Visit The Knot Photobucket Photobucket
    <a href="http://www.theknot.com/?utm_source=ticker&utm_medium=HTML&utm_campaign=tickers" title="Wedding Planning"><img src="http://global.theknot.com/tickers/tt1ce9f8.aspx" alt="Wedding Countdown Ticker" border="0"/></a>


  • I thought the Knot is for wedding related questions, whats up with the PhD guidance?  
    Wedding Countdown Ticker
This discussion has been closed.
Choose Another Board
Search Boards