I am Haripriya currently part of the iRarity Team. Last month I have successfully completed the last step of my PhD journey, that is, the PhD Viva. Final step is a 
crucial moment where depending on the outcome; years of my hard work and patience will finally morph into something tangible: a Doctoral degree but also a very proud moment to add the title “Dr” to my name which is the amazing moment in my life. I felt happy and grateful that I would like to share my PhD journey about last four years of experience and this is my first blog post.
During Research
I started the PhD journey after completing my Master degree at Bharathiar University. The selection of PhD candidate in University is very tough but God’s grace I got selected based on Entrance Test and Personal interview. In first year, very fresh to entered the Research field, during the period I do not know “What is research?” and “How to start? “. First six months gone well due to course work after that only I have started my research. Initially I faced lot of struggles to select research area because I do not know research people and also hesitated to speak with new people. When we will speak with others it can help in some situations so do not hesitate to speak with others.
During the second year, selected the research area based on surveying the literature to see how existing machine learning, in particular deep learning algorithms are implemented on real systems. Interestingly, most of deep learning research was actually being done on the image mining and also understood how existing research works are implemented and find out the limitation. Middle of the year, arranged the my first “Doctoral Committee (DC)” Meeting, that time, I did not find my research problem and also my guide told me that “ Tomorrow @ 11 am the DC Meeting is scheduled” . I have only 24-hours to prepare my presentation but I do not know “How to prepare a presentation?”, “What do I need to present?”, “Do not have any Research Road Map” and also exhausted. This kind of hectic situation is very tough to handle by me and first time also in my life.
In this situation, we need someone to support and encourage which is not valuable because timely help is very important. I have prepared presentation with help of my well-wishers, guide and also obviously with my family support. Finally, I did well in my DC Meeting presentation and external gave some adequate inputs and encouraged me which was a great day in my life. After completing my DC meeting, I got clear idea about my research and also finalized the research work in “Content Based Medical Image Retrieval System” by using Deep Learning technique. I have started my research work in the area of Deep learning for Medical Image which is very interesting topic and started to implement in real time. Last two years of PhD, I was too busy with research work implementation, paper writing and also, I was stressed due to the pressure of completing my PhD at the right time. In this situation, we need to calm down ourselves which is the better medicine for stress.
Upon completing implementation work, we have to conduct the second DC Meeting for synopsis submission approval. After that, I have started to write thesis. While writing thesis, I got lot of correction in last minute from my guide and finally submitted the thesis successfully. So planning is very essential for any work which can help to organize ourselves and get disciplined. Finally, I got the viva voce date after six months of submitting my thesis during the COVID-19 pandemic on July. I must thank the Bharathiar University for conducting the Viva Voce through online mode. Then, my research work was got “Strongly Recommended” from my external examiners.
Exciting part of my research
The most exciting part of my research was I have attended many workshops, seminars and conferences in many states and districts. From which, I got new ideas, observed the different style of presentation, met domain experts to share knowledge and guidance which is very useful to my research work and also gained knowledge about other research domains. I had visited many places with my Research colleagues and friends to refresh our minds.
When you share your thoughts with others that may help you to analyse or validate the correct path or else always, we are thinking “we are doing right!” which is not true.
Learning
From my PhD Journey experience, we need to know the following ideas which can help to improve our self and avoid hectic situation.
1. Be calm and enjoy the research experience
2. Improve Self Confidence
3. Make a plan!
4. Simply start filling in the gaps between the plan parts!
5. Submit it on time!
6. Follow Rules!
7. Reflect on your experience!
Happy learning and research.