Academic Coaching Blog — PhD

I see requests for thesis/dissertation help every day.  For the most part, people are looking for quick help to solve a particular problem that is causing them delays in competing their dissertations. I always regret (and so do they) that they didn't seek coaching help earlier, before a crisis occurred. Coaching assumes that a writer or student or client of any kind is willing to engage in the process for a while.  Some of my preferred clients have been with me for years, not always  continuously, but as they need me.  A long-term working relationship is useful when issues pop ...

At present, there's an ad on TV that lists all the things that AI can do. One of them is "write your kid's school essay".  It's an ad for home repairs and the claim is that AI can do nearly everything except fix your plumbing. That's concerning, and many experts are sounding the alarm about the overreach of AI.  It has given me much pause for thought about my work and whether I should hang up my editing pen. But I'm stubborn and hopeful and I'm going to keep offering old-fashioned writing help with a pulse, I don't like being...

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...