Experiences
PhD Survival Tips – Advice for PhD Life
Onur Cem Aygın shares advice for PhD researchers based on his doctoral journey.
Explore the world of doctoral research and academia with insights, tips, and guidance for prospective and current PhD students. Navigate the challenges and rewards of the doctoral journey.
Onur Cem Aygın shares advice for PhD researchers based on his doctoral journey.
Featured Academic
Anxiety is a debilitating condition that can make the simplest of tasks difficult, let alone a PhD. This empowering article follows Jake’s experience with anxiety during sixth form and university, and how once he discovered research he began to view anxiety as a superpower to keep his PhD pushing forwards. He shares anxiety-reducing techniques for when it gets too much, including affirmations and breath control, and emphasises the value of accepting anxiety in your life.
From the importance of taking breaks, finding a supportive group, to valuing yourself and networking, these tips will help you get through the rough times and make the most of your PhD experience.
A former history MA graduate, Jim Hulbert, recounts how he went from traveling to working, and returning to academia. After some years of working, he decided to pursue a PhD, a journey that was jumpstarted during the COVID-19 pandemic when he was furloughed from work.
Dr Chris Thompson shares his experience of pursuing a PhD scholarship which was more challenging than doing a PhD itself. He talks about the emotional impact of rejection letters and the moments when he hit rock bottom.
In this article, Kristin Hynes describes her experience of comprehensive exams (required by some US universities.) With 5 tips, Kristin shares how other students can be successful in this part of the admissions process.
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.
Onur Cem Aygın shares advice for PhD researchers based on his doctoral journey.
Discover how a PhD student turned to Paperpile to manage the chaos of storing and referencing papers, with the online tool helping them save, sort and access papers with ease.