"Becoming an independent researcher"

1. Form a group of researchers in your interested field

In research, an individual's ability is a very important foundation. If you do not know how to form a hypothesis, analyze appropriate data, write manuscripts, it will be really difficult to produce meaningful work.

Once the researcher reached a certain threshold of acquiring necessary skills, then he or she needs to be part of a group of trusted researchers in the chosen field of study.

This group will help you keep informed about the advancement of the research world and also keep motivating yourself to continue to push forward.

It is really difficult to be motivated 100% of the time alone; however, if you have a supportive group of researchers, they will help you through thick and thin.

Form a group of researchers whom you can trust and receive support regardless of the settings that you are in.

Without one, life will be pretty difficult at times.

2. Discipline on time management

Because no one really checks on your work every day, it is important to be disciplined about time management as a researcher.

A friend of mine once said, 'Treat your Ph.D. as a nine to five job.' What my friend is implying is that it is often very easy to be sidetracked in your Ph.D. or any type of research training due to lack of supervision. Professors are very busy people who do not have time to check on your work every day. It is your job as a researcher to make progress every day.

Unfortunately, I have witnessed several cases where the students were kicked out of the program due to poor research output.

Please have your own set schedule and stick to it.

Remember, no one is going to help you through your research progress. Only you can.