You will doubtless ask yourself "Why am I doing this?" many times throughout your PhD - sometimes out of frustration, but at other times to challenge yourself and get going again. Before you embark on a PhD, you are probably considering it as one option among others and you need to have good reasons for your decision. You need to decide to do a PhD. If you make a conscious decision that this is what you want, then you are more likely to enjoy it and to finish it. If, on the other hand, you drift into it because it is just assumed you would do it, then you are doing it to avoid something else, or because you cannot find anything else. With this indecision it may be difficult to develop interest and maintain enthusiasm. At later stages, reminding yourself why you wanted to do a PhD could keep you motivated, rekindle your interest, and renew your vision of where you want to go.

	Clarifying expectations.
	Coping with the transition to study.
	Taking stock of where you are.
	My topic is really interesting but it isn't something that can be squeezed easily into three years. How do I handle it?
	Why am I doing this and how do I keep myself motivated for three years?