Academic Coaching Blog — PhD

Has your professor ever written a margin note in your dissertation that says, "This writing is too dense.  Fix it"? There are some professors that explain what they mean. But more often than not, you're expected to think it through on your own and try to do what they want. Often the problem is you're using sesquipedalian words--and you didn't even know it.  So,  first, let's understand "dense" academic writing?    Sometimes, when you're reviewing the literature for your research topic, you may come across a journal article that is difficult to read.  The sentences are long and you struggle to...

In the 20th century, graduate students spent all their time at a university, learning how to conduct research and master academic writing.  In this 21st century, students have come to rely more on robot-supported aids, and AI, to try and improve their skills.  But now there is a move towards writing without AI. What does this mean for coaches like me?

It's been a few months since I posted, in spite of my 2025 New Year's Resolution to be more engaged through blog posts.  But of course the best-laid plans are often interrupted by life, and illness and helping friends and family.  As I said, it's been a while since I posted. But here I am again and determined to try and post more regularly, so that I can share some of the knowledge I've gained over years of working with the most brilliant minds on the planet -- that's you and your academic peers. So for today, here's a reminder...

It's great to start off a new year with a message notifying me that one of the graduate students in my "flock" has completed his PhD thesis and passed his oral Viva in the UK.  Congratulations, Matt!! Very few people how much effort is involved in earning a doctoral degree. It goes on for years, and of course it doesn't just take effort. It takes intelligence, commitment, understanding of the research process, skills in academic writing, and above all a love of the subject that you're studying. Most students don't start a graduate program knowing that they will need all...

I keep this little statue on my book shelf, and as you can see she's looking out at the world in which I live.  I bought her many decades ago when I was making changes in my life and it suited my mood at the time. Contemplative. Today, I was looking at it again and realized that it's just as relevant now as it was earlier in my life and career.  So I moved it from a lower shelf to give it pride of place on the top shelf to help me focus on what I'm going to do next.  ...