The importance of evaluation moments in the first year.

Once the plan is set out, in the TSP or a similar document, it is crucial that dedicated meetings are scheduled to periodically evaluate how things are progressing. This is to check whether the project is on the right track and if additional or different help is needed to support the learning and development of the student.

Particularly in the first year, you can make use of these meetings to assess if there is enough progress to grant the continuation of the PhD, to give formal feedback to the student, and steer them in the right direction. Most importantly, this is a time to find out what they need from you, and if there is any adjustment you need to make to your supervision style.

Let’s hear it directly from the voice of our PhD candidates and supervisors at the University of Groningen.

What in your view is the need for evaluation moments in the first year?