Truthfully a “trust your gut” approach to your application can be just as reliable.

Anyone can apply, you don’t have to be set on a career in research, you may just want a taster year.

I was lucky enough to find out about certain programmes ... to enter the degree and progress through it ... it means you can too.

Look beyond the usual yourself ... start considering the points of interest and discussion in things you read, watch and listen to ...

" a burden to those I was shadowing ... uncomfortable, anxious ... not really learning much"

...it is rare that at an early stage in our career we can make a truly informed decision...