Are you keeping up to date with the latest advances in research? Are you getting enough practical results? How are you preparing for your viva? Do you have an edge over other researchers? Is your work novel? Is your work worthy of a PhD?

I believe that the main ingredient to success as a researcher lies in establishing good routines. You may thinking, “Researchers hate routines” or “we need flexibility to ensure that we are creative not another stupid routine”.

Here are some routines.  Think about these and implement in your research endevours.

1. Make a habit of reading the latest research papers from the top journals such as nature, sceince, soft matter, etc daily. Do this first thing in the morning, lunch time evening or just before you go to bed. Choose the best time for you and then stick with it. I like early mornings. You may…