Richelle’s love of words led her to a career in journalism and teaching. For more than a decade the Philadelphia native worked as a journalist and university professor in the United States and Europe. She taught journalism at the prestigious Missouri School of Journalism and taught political science at Schiller International University in Heidelberg, Germany.

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Thesis and Dissertation

15 Years in Academia: 10 Things I’d Do Differently If Starting My PhD Again

This article reflects on the author’s 15-year academic journey, detailing the lessons learned from disorganised PhD student to effective work habits as a postdoc and assistant professor, and applying these lessons to their current role at Paperpile. Suzanne offers practical advice on academic writing, productivity, and professional development, emphasizing the importance of daily writing practice, systematic note-taking, reflection, goal setting, and the use of digital tools like reference managers. She shares these insights to help current PhD students avoid similar pitfalls and develop productive habits early in their academic careers.

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