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).
Decoding the 'Why' in PhD Research Methodology: Crafting a Credible Academic Narrative
You’ve probably explained what you did, and how you did it, but have you explained why in your research methods chapter?
Conquering Procrastination: The PhD Student's Guide to Productivity and Success
Procrastinating? Putting it off? Kicking it into the long grass? Whatever you want to call it, not tackling important PhD tasks is a bad idea - so here’s how to smash through your procrastination!
Demystifying the Methodology Chapter: A Practical Guide for Social Science PhD Students
Stuck on how to structure your methods chapter? Don’t worry! In this blog I’ll take you through a basic structure and provide some sentence starters to ensure you’re covering the “Why?” as well as the “What?”.
Academic Conferences for Introverts: 5 tips for surviving the conference as a PhD student or early career researcher
If the thought of going to a conference gives you nightmares, if you know you’ll spend more time in your conference hotel room than actually attending sessions, you need to read this!
Shiny Object Syndrome as a PhD Student | 6 tips for dealing with a rebellious brain on your doctoral journey!
Always getting distracted and struggling to make progress on your PhD? You’ve likely got Shiny Object Syndrome!
PhD Thesis Advisor Tips | How to deal with critical feedback that makes you want to cry!
Do you want to cry when you receive a chapter draft covered in tracked changes and direct, cutting remarks? You’re not alone!
PhD Burnout: How to stop overwhelm turning into an existential crisis!
Feeling overwhelmed? Got a one-way ticket to PhD burnout? You’ll feel much calmer once you’ve read this.
Why your PhD literature review feels like a mess (and what to do about it)
Before you do anything else on your PhD literature review, read this!
How to write an abstract for your PhD thesis: what to include and how to structure it - with examples!
Learn the key things to include in your PhD abstract, and the order to present them in!
What to write in your PhD thesis acknowledgements section: who to thank and how to thank them
Not sure what to write in your PhD thesis acknowledgments section?
Academic job interview tips
You made the shortlist, how do you stand out from the competition at interview?
How to get an academic job - completing the application
The academic job world is super competitive but these 5 tips will help you stand out from the competition!
Fallen out of love with your research? How to get your motivation back and feel passionate again!
Not feeling it anymore? If you’ve fallen out of love with your PhD, you need to read this!
Writing a PhD research proposal? Avoid these 3 common mistakes!
Avoid these 3 mistakes in your PhD research proposal!
Writing up Mixed Methods Data: Qualitative and quantitative - separate or together?
Not sure how to write up your mixed methods study?
What goes in my dissertation findings chapter? Should I refer back to the literature or not?
Should you refer back to the literature in your findings chapter?
Crafting a Compelling Quantitative Findings Chapter: Strategies for Success
The quantitative findings chapter of your research paper or dissertation holds a pivotal role in conveying the essence of your study. This section serves as the platform where your data takes centre stage …
7 Key Tips for Presenting Qualitative Data in Your Findings Chapter
Presenting qualitative data in your findings chapter can be a challenging yet essential part of your research journey. Whether you're a seasoned researcher or just starting out …
PhD Habits
My most successful PhD students aren’t the smartest or the most naturally talented students, they’re the most consistent students.
How to structure your methodology chapter: A guide for social science graduate students
Not sure where to start in writing up your methodology? Here’s an outline structure!