Academic Coaching Blog

I'm proud to remember the woman who has gone down in history as the first to earn a PhD in 1678: Elena Comaro Piscopia. We've come a long way!! https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elena_Cornaro_Piscopia

Conceptual frameworks and Theoretical frameworks get confused all the time. It’s not just students who get them mixed up -- supervisors seem to use these labels interchangeably too. Here’s my take on it, and I’m happy to discuss… First, a concept is just a $10 word for an idea.  Yes, I know that Philosophy majors and Linguists will be lining up to argue with me, but I’m speaking about how the word concept is used in a thesis.  I think of concepts as all those exciting ideas buzzing around in your head in the early stages of your studies. And...

That’s one of the most difficult challenges facing graduate students.  In other words, being pulled in several different directions at the same time. It’s near to being a lose-lose situation. One example of that is the situation faced by mature PhD students.  Often they have reached quite a high rung on the corporate ladder and have lots of responsibilities, have a hefty mortgage, children, and ageing parents.  And layered on that are the demands of conducting research and completing a thesis. And many younger students don’t fare much better, facing many demands on their time as they try and build...

If you're a doctoral candidate, you may not be sleeping very well. However, you'll sleep better if you spend a little time with a coach every week. I know that because the candidates I coach tell me.   What's the magic? None really. Candidates just need to be given the kind of reassurance that will help them relax and stop thinking about the unfinished research or the half-finished thesis.   Weekly meetings provide the kind of stability that can help you feel more secure. Often, research supervisors don't have the time to provide regular support, and that may have left...