I didn’t really know what to expect during my first week. Sure, there was an orientation meeting on the first day, a Higher Research Seminar planned for day two, and an introduction to life as a PhD student organised for day three, but beyond that I had no idea what awaited me. A gatekeeper, perhaps, waiting to slam the door in my face the moment I failed to account for my epistemological and ontological positioning. Or a room full of people who already seemed to know each other, effortlessly dropping names of theorists I’d only half-read. In the end, it was neither. It was meeting a lot of very friendly and welcoming people over cups of tea and lunches, alongside a heavy dose of information thrown at the new PhD students while we nodded along and came to the slow, quiet realisation that we were all equally lost, but had a great support network in each other, as well as everyone else around us.

So, to start at the beginning, the first day involved an introduction to the university and a tour of the department, followed by a meeting with IT to receive and set up our computers. Of course, being the nervous wreck that I was, I kept forgetting my passwords, but not to worry, everyone was willing to help with a smile. After that, we had a while to set up our desks before lunch. And what a lovely surprise to find a bunch of flowers waiting for me there.

One of the nicest things about the office is that the new PhD students (there are four of us) have their desks beside each other. Already, we’re waving at each other over our screens and making sure to drag each other from our work when it’s time to go to a meeting or grab lunch. So even though we’re each sitting at our own desks in our silent office, it doesn’t feel like we’re alone there.

On day two, my morning was free to work at my desk, figuring out the various systems and generally becoming friends with my computer (computers and I have been known to have raging arguments). I even climbed the stairs to the library, which is on the floor above the department — nice and close — and borrowed some books.

After lunch together with the other staff members in the department’s lunch room, it was time for a very interesting seminar by a visiting professor from Australia.

On the third day, we met with the other PhD students from the faculty for a general introduction to how the university system works with regards to PhDs and what the general plan is between now and the final defense in four to five years. This was interesting, exciting, and terrifying all at the same time.

Over lunch, I met with my two supervisors, who did a wonderful job putting my mind at ease about what lies ahead, reminding me that a PhD is something that is done over several years, not in a couple of weeks. There is plenty of time to read, think, write, reconsider theories and ideas, and learn what I need to know. And it’s not a solo process. Already I’m seeing the benefits of those small conversations with colleagues by the coffee machine, to bounce ideas back and forth or simply to vent frustrations regarding updating my research plan.

As for the fourth and final day of the first week (I started on a Tuesday), my day was totally open to spend time reading and trying to put in place a plan going forward. By 14:30, my head was such a messy tangle of ideas that I decided to spend the afternoon working at my desk from home instead. Sometimes a change of environment is all I need to put some order into my thoughts. And it worked. I spent the rest of the day thinking through how to restructure my research plan based on all the reading and thinking I’ve done since initially writing it.

Yesterday was Saturday and, probably for the first time ever, I woke up and actually felt a little disappointed that I wasn’t heading into work for the day. We’ll see how long that lasts, but I take it as a good sign. Still, I was excited to continue with my reading, so after a workout at the gym, my husband and I headed to a cafe to do some reading.

As for next week, I don’t have many meetings planned in my calendar, besides an online talk I wish to attend about writing and publication. So I should have plenty of time to work on my research plan and dive into the different theories I’m hoping to learn more about.

No gatekeepers so far — just a lot of open doors, kind faces, and cups of tea. I’ll take it.