Scrolling through Xiaohongshu, I found guidelines that can serve as my code of conduct during my PhD, helping me develop good habits and graduate sooner. Typing and writing blogs instead of handwritten notes.
Pursuing a PhD is not a short sprint won by bursts of talent, but a long-distance run completed with endurance and rhythm. On this journey, what truly helps one progress steadily is often not grand actions, but seemingly ordinary small habits.
1. Write a page of [Weekly Research Summary] every week#
Every Friday evening, simply record three points:
- What tasks did I complete this week?
- Where did I encounter bottlenecks?
- What should I prioritize for next week?
This habit can help you escape the anxiety of [not seeing progress], allowing you to adjust your pace at any time and avoid stagnation.
2. Write 100 words of research notes every day#
No need for eloquence, no format restrictions; even a sentence like "Today I organized data" is worth recording.
After a while, you'll find that writing papers becomes easier, and your research ideas will quietly take shape.
3. Batch read literature + make structured notes#
Each time, download 10-15 papers around a theme, and after reading, record key information in a table: methods, results, innovations, unresolved issues.
Scattered reading cannot build a system; structuring is the starting point of research vision.
4. Self-check on one A4 page before group meetings#
Before each group meeting, write one A4 page:
- What did I do this week?
- Where am I stuck?
- What feedback do I hope to receive from my advisor?
Group meetings transform from "being asked" to "proactive dialogue," greatly improving communication efficiency.
5. 30 minutes of research kick-off in the morning, no phone scrolling#
The first thing to do after waking up: read a page of literature, draw a diagram, write a paragraph.
It doesn't take long, but it helps you quickly get into the right mindset, making your day more disciplined and reassuring.
Controlling the morning may just mean controlling the entire day.
In conclusion:#
These small habits may not show immediate results, but it is these tiny persistences that build the most stable relationship between you and research.
Do not underestimate each record and each summary; they will quietly become the foundation for your continued progress.
The underlying logic of research is not about bursts of inspiration, but about accumulation.
May we all remain calm in the valleys, persist in the chaos, and slowly turn those unseen small efforts into our "trump cards."