How To Survive A Cambridge Ph.D.

How does one survive the rigours (British spelling, not American) of a Cambridge Ph.D.? Well, it depends on which subject you have been blessed with and what your relationship with your supervisor (American concept, not British) is like. So, then, here is some free advice if you are a student of :

(a) History : Try to ensure that you yourself do not become a piece of history. The rest, as they say, will become history anyway.

(b) Geography : Find out as soon as possible your location in the academic hierarchy. Always give your supervisor enough space to breathe.

(c) Psychology : Never feel psyched out, come what may.

(d) Sociology : Don't despair if you are not socially integrated into the community. After all, none of the people in your field-work is.

(e) Philosophy : No point in being philosophical about it. Just analyse yourself.

(f) Physics : You would do well to step back before things get physical.

(g) Chemistry : As long as the chemistry lasts, nothing can hold you back.

(h) Economics : Choose a style that is economical and seek an audience that is global.

(i) Medicine : Sometimes you just have to swallow the bitter pill.

(j) Languages : Mind your language!

(k) Classics : What is so classical? Your thesis or your looks?

(l) Engineering : Well, if nothing works out, data can always be engineered.

(m) Biology : Aw, come on, go get a life!

(n) Education : Excuse me? Who is educating whom?

(o) Environmental Science : I tell you what, you make me green with envy.

(p) Law : (No comments)

(q) Management : And you can't even manage yourself. What a loser!

(r) Epidemiology : Make sure you don't infect your supervisor.

(s) Music : Well, what can I say? Just be prepared to face the music.

And finally :

(T) Theology : Don't worry --- you are simply too divine to be reading all this.