At Australian universities, PhD students have to make a Confirmation report from the beginning of their first year, which is a bit like the opening report in China, but it is still very important.It is important because if we fail, not only will our students' studies not be able to continue, but also the reputation of our teachers will be greatly affected.For this first PhD student, I've written a few blog posts about his progress in his Ph.D. studies, and in a sense I'm also recording my growth.
I'm under a lot of pressure these days, so whenever I meet someone, please don't press me.To tell the truth, I have never put too much pressure on him, and I have always focused on encouragement.His self-perception of stress is not small, my observation is from his character.His personality is a bit like mine, but there are some things I can't put down.If a thing isn't done perfectly, it's hard to sleep and eat.At least in scientific research, I think this is an advantage, an important advantage.As we all know, for scientific researchers, work, to be exact, is thought, and rest time is indistinguishable.Because your inspiration comes without warning.I'm not afraid of jokes. My inspiration often comes when I go to the bathroom between work. A lot of problems I can't figure out are epiphany when I squat in the bathroom.So sometimes I don't feel like going to the bathroom to try my luck. In short, I think scientific researchers should have a spirit of selflessness if they want to make a success in their field.Otherwise, nine to five, after work no longer think about research, life, research is clear, let alone yellow cauliflower, anything will cool.
Therefore, after a long period of hard thinking, once there is a new idea (breakthrough), it must be recorded immediately, if there was a mentor at that time, while the iron is hot, continue to discuss, perhaps will be a great gain.So this student often calls me late at night to report his "big breakthrough".I can understand the difficulties in his experiment that made him so excited him.Our center, the level of computational mechanics, is definitely world class.But the physical model is not really strong.My project is the first time in nearly a decade that the central laboratory has focused its research on model experiments.A pioneering job means that you don't have much experience to learn from, and you have to find it on your own way.Fortunately, I have a great advantage as a student, which is that I like to communicate, like to discuss, and get along with the technicians.In foreign countries, doctoral students do experiments, big and small things have to do their own hands, rich food and clothing.Of course, mentors, technicians will also give you the most guidance and help.However, most of the work has to be done by the students themselves.Although this process is very difficult, but this kind of transformation of the experience, to the growth of students, improvement is indispensable process.
In this process, students' initiative is very important.I've been talking to students for a long time, discussing with teachers, classmates, technicians as much as possible, discussing with the same major and different majors, which will be very helpful to your research.On the other hand, when others ask for you, they don't need to have any reservations. Those things you know are the most basic knowledge. The process of helping others is actually a good opportunity to organize, perfect, and raise your cognitive level.In short, this stage is a stage of divergence of thought.But you can't always think differently. You have to learn to concentrate at the right time.This is the innovative point of research, which will be published in the future and will be properly kept confidential.
When I mentioned the thesis published during my PhD, there was a lot of controversy about the significance of the thesis.My view is that developing the ability of doctoral students to publish high-level international journals is essential.The ability to write papers and write high-level papers is no exaggeration for a growing Ph. D. student to come first.I don't know about other fields, at least in civil engineering, where there are only a few of the best international journals.It's not easy to publish even one of these top journals.I remember my first paper in a top international journal, when it was criticized by reviewers, and I wanted to die.Later, with the help of the instructor, he died and changed, changed again and again, repeatedly lost and fought, and finally achieved the correct result. Finally, the paper was published, and he felt exhausted.But objectively, top periodicals are top periodicals after all, editor-in-chief, reviewers review level is high, knife hit the nail on the head.By following the reviewers, their understanding of the problem has obviously risen to a level, and it has a great enlightenment for future research.Visible, this kind of exercise is worth, because he has gained confidence, has gained progress.
My student's first paper began with an international conference paper.The reason why I asked him to prepare a conference paper first was to examine his writing ability.Malaysian students are very good at English and have no problem communicating.But when I read the first draft of his conference paper, I was shocked.It's completely speaking and writing, and the traces of oralization are very obvious.This is minor, but the point is that he is not very clear about the logic of the paper.Writing any article is a truth, but scientific and technological papers should pay more attention to clear thinking, logic.In your language, you need to focus on the internal connection between sections, paragraphs, and paragraphs, rather than on a pile of content in isolation for the reader to understand.Scientific papers do not necessarily require much literary talent, but the idea must be clear, so that others can read comfortably and smoothly.Otherwise, even if you do a good job, if you don't write it well, the effect will be greatly reduced.
Recently, I have been busy participating in the confirmation seminar of students from other teachers. Honestly, I am getting more and more confident. The level is just so!For another month, we've been building up strength to show you a wonderful report in the style of (Hong Kong + USA) and I love to see other people's facial expressions.Of course, the road still has to be step by step, solid, steady, full of passion.