Welcome to the Degree Doctor blog – where we keep it real about PhD life.
If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed, behind, or like everyone else has it figured out but you – you’re in the right place.
Here you'll find honest advice, practical tips, and a whole lot of reassurance to help you stay calm, focused, and on track.
Click on the categories below to find blogs on specific topics or just scroll on down and have a look at the most recent posts!
Let’s make this PhD journey a bit less stressful (and a lot more doable).
Structure your PhD discussion chapter in 3 steps
Think your discussion chapter’s a mess? Good - that means you’re doing it right. Here’s how to turn your brainstorm into a structured, critical chapter that makes sense.
Feeling behind in your PhD? Read this
Think you’re behind in your PhD? You’re not. Learn how to redefine progress, set realistic benchmarks, and celebrate your wins so you can feel confident and calm about your research journey.
No time to write your PhD? Try this 3-step fix
Think you need a full day to get writing done on your PhD thesis? Think again. These three small changes will help you write more, stress less, and finally see progress - even on your busiest weeks.
Feel like quitting your PhD? Read this first
Every PhD student thinks about quitting at some point. Here’s why that doesn’t mean you’re failing - and how to regain your focus, motivation and peace of mind.
How to work better with your PhD supervisor
Tired of vague or delayed supervisor feedback? Here’s how to take back control, get useful guidance, and finally make progress on your PhD.
Reflexive Thematic Analysis: A step-by-step beginner guide
Struggling to make sense of your qualitative data? Here’s how Braun and Clarke’s reflexive thematic analysis can help you turn messy transcripts into meaningful themes.
How to restart your PhD after a break
Feeling stuck after a PhD break? Here are 5 practical and mindset-shifting tips to help you restart with confidence and make real progress again.
PhD student with writer’s block? Here’s how to write more (even when you don’t feel like it)
Struggling to write your thesis? If you're a PhD student battling writer’s block, this blog shares three practical ways to write more — without waiting for motivation to show up.
Struggling with IPA in your PhD? Here's what you need to know
Wondering what Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis is all about? Or started an IPA study and got massively stuck?! Don’t worry, these FAQs will help you out.
Why PhD guilt is ruining your day (and how to make it stop)
Worried you’re not working hard enough? You need to read this…
Is qualitative research really “less rigorous”? Let’s settle this once and for all
If you’ve ever worried that your qualitative PhD research isn’t “rigorous enough,” this blog will help you stop comparing it to quant and start feeling confident in what you’re actually doing.
Am I even doing this right? What to do when your PhD feels all over the place
Worried you’re getting your PhD all “wrong”? You’re probably doing better than you think…
Writing a PhD research proposal? You’ll need these three sentences
Clarity is crucial in research proposals. Use these three sentences to get crystal clear in yours!
Don’t Panic! 4 Common Qualitative Research Struggles (and how to fix them)
Struggling to decipher your qualitative data? You’re not alone!
3 sentences you must include in your PhD discussion chapter - and why they matter
Stuck on your PhD discussion chapter? Start with these three sentences…
The myth of the perfect PhD morning routine (and how to create one that actually works)
Feeling behind before 9am? You’re not alone. This blog busts the myth of the perfect PhD morning routine and helps you design a routine that’s realistic, kind, and actually works for your life — not your Instagram feed.
Reflexive Thematic Analysis vs Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis: Which should you use?
Struggling to choose between Reflexive Thematic Analysis (RTA) and Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA)? This blog explains the key differences with examples, so you can choose the right method for your qualitative PhD research.
How to write your PhD introduction chapter (with examples)
If you’re staring at a blank page thinking, “I have no idea what to write”, you’re absolutely not alone. Keep readinng and let me walk you through your PhD intro chapter!
Stuck on Braun and Clarke’s thematic analysis? Here’s how to actually build your themes
Stuck on themes in Braun and Clarke’s reflexive thematic analysis? Wondering where to begin? Keep reading!
Feeling pressured to publish before you’ve even finished your PhD?
Here are six surprisingly simple - and often overlooked - ways to carve out publishable pieces from your thesis.