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
Wellbeing group programs available now

Upcoming sessions

The seven secrets of highly successful research students [online]

12 May 2025 9:00am–21 July 2025 5:00pm

in Candidature management

This 10 week online program from May to July looks at seven key strategies that help research higher degree students finish on time and enjoy the process more. REGISTRATION CLOSES 5 MAY.

Effective time management [webinar]

14 May 2025 10:00am–11:30am

in Candidature management

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

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

30 May 2025 10:00am–11:30am

in Candidature management

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

The 'imposter' syndrome [webinar]

5 June 2025 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.

Mental Health First Aid [St Lucia]

16 June 2025 9:00am–17 June 2025 4:30pm

in Candidature management

Want 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. Registration closes 11 June 9am.

Resilient researcher: Resilience when remote [Webinar]

18 June 2025 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.

Resilient researcher: Becoming a Resilient Researcher [Webinar]

17 July 2025 12:00pm–1:00pm

in Candidature management

Build your resilience for your research degree and beyond.

Effective time management [webinar]

11 August 2025 10:00am–11:30am

in Candidature management

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

20 August 2025 11:00am–12:30pm

in Candidature management

R U OK - Building your skills [webinar]

11 September 2025 10:00am–11:30am

in Candidature management

R U Ok Day is a national day of action to encourage conversations with those who may be struggling. This workshop will build skills on mental health awareness, ways we can have difficult conversations with each other and ways to access support.

Pondering procrastination productively [webinar]

15 October 2025 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.

Perfection not required: Managing perfectionism [webinar]

21 October 2025 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 [St Lucia]

6 November 2025 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.

Optimising Wellbeing throughout your HDR Journey [Gatton]

20 November 2025 10:00am–11:30am

in Candidature management

This workshop aims to assist HDR students to manage stress, to open conversations about wellbeing and to access UQ support services and resources.