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).
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.
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.
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!
How to stop procrastinating over your PhD and get that thing finished!
Planned to start at 0800? Now it’s 1114 and you’re like, “Urgh, might as well not bother!”. Keep reading, let’s get you back on track.
Poster presentations at academic conferences - how to design a poster that doesn’t give people eye strain or bore the pants off them
Conference posters, yep, we need to talk about them! Let’s stop the churn of garbage in font size 8 and actually design conference posters people want to read and engage with!
How to write an abstract for an academic conference (without crying into your laptop)
Avoiding writing that conference abstract? Don’t worry, we’ll get it done in no time!
I haven’t finished my PhD yet, should I apply for a full-time academic job?
Should you apply for a full-time academic job when you’re still doing your PhD?
PhD Annual Review coming up? Here’s how to not be a hot mess express!
Is it that time of year again?! Here’s how to get through it without losing your mind and perhaps even enjoy it!
Method vs Methodology
Aren’t method and methodology exactly the same thing? Does it make a difference which one you use in your thesis?
How to find a research gap
Ahh, the elusive research gap! But, what is a research gap and how do you identify one?
PhD Planning for 2025 - ready to have your best PhD year yet?! YES, you are!
Ready to make 2025 your best PhD year yet?! Let’s go!
Writing a PhD research proposal
Writing a PhD research proposal, or trying to?! Let me give you a hand with that - here’s an outline that might be helpful…
“Do I really want to do a PhD?!”
Should you do a PhD? What factors do you need to think about before taking the plunge and applying? Keep reading!
Dissertation topics - how to narrow down your social sciences PhD title
Is your PhD topic too broad? Need to narrow it down? Keep reading!
PhD by publication or published works - how is it different from a traditional PhD by research?
A PhD by publication or published works - what exactly is this, an how does it differ from a traditional, standard PhD? Keep reading!
Six top tips to pass your PhD viva
PhD viva or thesis defense coming up? You need to read this!
How to write a research proposal - a guide for PhD applicants in the social sciences
Writing a research proposal? Need some help and examples? Read on!
How to plan your academic year as a PhD student - don’t plan anything until you’ve done THIS!
There’s one thing most people forget to do when planning their year, keep reading to find out what it is!
Getting Ethical Approval for your PhD Research Project: Three key questions to ask
Is the ethical approval process boggling your mind? Don’t worry, I have three simple questions you can ask yourself to check you’re being ethically excellent in your approach!