r/PhD•
periodt-bitch

Bio PhD focusing in genetics.. How to prepare?! Feel like a noob

Seeking advice-academic

Hi all,
Please be gentle, I am a little freaked out. I am starting my PhD in a few months and am finishing a MS in ecology right now. I took some gap years after my BS, so there’s about 4 years between right now and my last relevant lab experience. I’ve worked with Qiagen DNEASY extraction kits, PCR, gel electrophoresis, some basic stuff, but that was 4 years ago.

I plan on watching lots of videos of some protocols over the summer, but what else should I familiarize myself with? I’ve gotten some advice from friends that I shouldn’t worry too much and that people at my uni will be happy to teach me once I get there, but after my meeting with my advisors, it kind of seems like I’m expected to know more stuff than I do (I didn’t want them to feel like they made a mistake accepting me so I didn’t let them know I feel pretty lost). How can I prep so I’m completely ready and what should I read for general background knowledge? I’m doing a crash course type of refresher on bio concepts but wonder what else to look at.

Thank you!

Posted May 13, 2026, 6:35 PM UTC

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