To help the 2025 PhD freshmen quickly adapt to academic life and clarify their academic orientations, the Department of Earth System Science (DESS), Tsinghua University, held an Academic Sharing Session for New Doctoral Students at S818, Mong Man Wai Technology Building on September 10. Current doctoral students Sun Yida (Grade 2021), Zhang Han (Grade 2022), and Zhou Yufeng (Grade 2021) shared their research experience and growth trajectory. All 2025 doctoral freshmen and some senior graduate students attended the session.

From left to right: Sun Yida, Zhang Han, and Zhou Yufeng sharing their experiences.

Sun Yida presented how to make study plans in the early stage of doctoral studies and the use of research methods and tools. He advised the freshmen that a regular schedule be the foundation for developing good research habits. Drawing on his own experience in carbon emission research, he elaborated on how to start efficiently based on the accumulation of the research group, and recommended practical tools such as literature management and chart drawing to help freshmen improve their research efficiency.

Zhang Han shared her experience of transitioning from geography to ecology, emphasizing the importance of patience and perseverance in interdisciplinary transformation. She reviewed her unforgettable experience of publishing a paper in the journal Science and imparted methods on how to persist and adjust her mindset under pressure and challenges.

Zhou Yufeng encouraged the new doctoral students to strike an optimal balance between research and life. He suggested that in research, students should find their own unique rhythm based on their individual circumstances and make good use of methods such as simplifying complexity, analogy, and critical thinking. In daily life, they should actively integrate into the group to sustain their long-term academic development.

In the open discussion session, students explored topics such as selecting research topics, managing projects, and maintaining the right mindset. The event offered valuable insights and practical guidance for incoming doctoral students, helping them embark on their research journeys with greater confidence and clarity.

Activity site

Written by Xia Xin, Liu Binrui, and Wu Xiaoran

Photographed by Liu Binrui and Wu Xiaoran

Edited by Wang Jiayin

Reviewed by Geng Rui, Lu Hui, Yu Le, and Chen Yawei