Candidature management

Undertaking a research degree is a huge commitment and requires many skills. Gaining an understanding of these techniques and strategies early, will assist you to complete and submit your thesis efficiently.

Useful links

Advice by Student Services: Working with your advisor
Short excerpt on PhD Survival
The PhD Survival video : Doing a PhD is meant to be challenging, and most doctoral students feel overwhelmed by the task at times. But many find that their work - and their lives - are compromised by feelings of loneliness, inadequacy or anxiety. The consequences can be abandoned PhDs, disrupted careers and damaged mental health.
The Thesis Whisperer: PhD support blog by A/Prof Inger Mewburn, Director of Researcher Development, ANU
Patter: PhD and writing support blog by Prof Pat Thomson, School of Education, University of Nottingham
Postgrad Forum: An extensive forum of PhDs from all over the world discussing life, work, research, career, and anything PhD
The PhD Forum: A Twitter-based social support group, online writing lounge, collaboration directory

Upcoming sessions
Past sessions

Making the most of the advisor/student relationship

30 September 2021 10:00am–11:30am

in Candidature management

Learn how to develop a close working relationship with your advisors.

Perfection not required: Managing perfectionism [webinar]

5 October 2021 10:00am–11:30am

in Candidature management

This workshop will dispel the common myth that perfectionism is a good thing that is a characteristic of high achievers, and use a cognitive behavioural approach to overcoming perfectionist behaviours and thought processes.

Three Ss of Resilience

22 October 2021 10:00am–11:30am

in Candidature management

Learn strategies to improve resilience in order to better manage the stresses and strains of life, both during the candidature and in your future professional life.

Pondering procrastination productively [webinar]

5 November 2021 10:00am–11:30am

in Candidature management

Are you plagued by procrastination? Why put off till tomorrow what you can do today? Learn tools and strategies to get you started in making change, feeling in control and creating new, more productive habits.

Mental Health First Aid

2 December 2021 8:30am–3 December 2021 4:30pm

in Candidature management

What to gain the mental health first aid skills to help yourself and others in mental distress? Want to gain the MHFA accreditation that you can put on your CV? Join our 2 full-day MHFA accreditation training offered to HDR students at no cost to you! Please do NOT sign up unless you can commit to attending both days in full. Registrations close 22 November at noon. NB: This course has been rescheduled from August due to the lockdown so places are highly limited.

Effective time management [webinar]

18 August 2021 10:00am–11:30am

in Candidature management

Discover strategies for effective time management which can be applied in your research degree.

The 'imposter' syndrome [webinar]

9 June 2021 1:00pm–4:00pm

in Candidature management

Although you are doing well, you may still feel like an imposter. Learn how to manage these feelings.

Three Ss of Resilience - Gatton

1 June 2021 12:00pm–1:30pm

in Candidature management

Learn strategies to improve resilience in order to better manage the stresses and strains of life, both during the candidature and in your future professional life.

Mastering the art of paying attention [webinar]

26 May 2021 10:00am–12:00pm

in Candidature management

Discover simple tools and techniques to stay focused and overcome distractions.

The seven secrets of highly successful research students [online]

10 May 2021 9:00am–5:00pm

in Candidature management

This 10 week online program from 10 May to 19 July looks at seven key strategies that help research higher degree students finish on time and enjoy the process more. Registration closes on 28 April at noon.

Making the most of the advisor/student relationship [webinar]

16 April 2021 10:00am–11:30am

in Candidature management

Learn how to develop a close working relationship with your advisors.

Resilient researcher: Becoming a Resilient Researcher [Webinar]

17 March 2021 12:00pm–1:00pm

in Candidature management

Build your resilience for your research degree and beyond.

Resilient researcher: Resilience while remote [Webinar]

16 February 2021 12:00pm–1:00pm

in Candidature management

This webinar is designed to assist HDR candidates researching in remote locations. For instance, this may occur when you are away collecting data or are based interstate or even overseas.

Keep calm and carry on: Dealing with uncertainty in the COVID era [special webinar]

7 October 2020 10:00am–12:00pm

in Candidature management

Continuing the special series of webinars in response to COVID, this highly interactive session will explore the uncertainty and the impact that COVID is having on our mental fortitude, and understand the longer term consequences of being in a constant state of anxiety and stress, such as depression.

Maintaining well-being while working from home [webinar special]

8 June 2020 1:00pm–2:00pm

in Candidature management

Feeling anxious and unsettled as you rush about trying to balance your study, work and homelife while stuck working from home? Join this interactive forum to understand your anxiety and learn how coping tips.