This book guides you through doctoral study from the student's point of view: the challenges, the pitfalls, the ups and downs that you're likely to encounter in the course of doing your PhD. It not only explains what a PhD involves, and how to tackle one, but also offers insights into the actual experience of life as a PhD student. It tells you what to expect, and what not to expect of university departments. It tells you about the messy reality of doing a PhD, and it tells you in bite-sized chunks that you can chew over on your way to college. Over and above what your supervisors and university may have to offer, Your PhD Companion will help explain all kinds of things that no one ever seems to tell you, and you don't necessarily know to ask.