The PhD Life Coach
By Vikki Wright
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Category: Self-Improvement
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Subscribers: 6
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Episodes: 170
Description
Whether you're a PhD student or an experienced academic, life in a university can be tough. If you're feeling overwhelmed, undervalued, or out of your depth, the PhD Life Coach can help. We talk about issues that affect all academics and how we can feel better now, without having to be perfect productivity machines. We usually do this career because we love it, so let's remember what that feels like! I'm your host, Dr Vikki Wright. Join my newsletter at www.thephdlifecoach.com.
| Episode | Date |
|---|---|
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4.31 How to get going on work without external accountability
|
Mar 30, 2026 |
|
4.30 How to write when you’re confused
|
Mar 23, 2026 |
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4.29 Why you shouldn’t wait for a polished draft
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Mar 16, 2026 |
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4.28 How to manage when your work is interrupted all the time
|
Mar 09, 2026 |
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4.27 How to stop thinking about your academic work
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Mar 03, 2026 |
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4.26 What to do when you don’t have enough time
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Feb 23, 2026 |
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4.25 How to do difficult tasks
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Feb 16, 2026 |
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4.24 How to identify options when making a decision (a coaching episode with Claire!)
|
Feb 09, 2026 |
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4.23 How to manage tasks that are not on your To Do list
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Feb 02, 2026 |
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4.22 What to do when your task is taking longer than you thought
|
Jan 26, 2026 |
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4.21 How much should I work per week in academia
|
Jan 19, 2026 |
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4.20 How to manage the critical voice when you’ve got too much to do (a special DOUBLE coaching episode)
|
Jan 12, 2026 |
|
4.19 How to pursue goals that you’re not sure are possible
|
Jan 05, 2026 |
|
4.18 How and if you should use a Brick to reduce phone usage
|
Dec 29, 2025 |
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4.17 Why I left academia (it may not be what you think)
|
Dec 22, 2025 |
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4.16 Why you should notice the paradox of imposter syndrome
|
Dec 15, 2025 |
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4.15 What to do when you don’t know what to do
|
Dec 08, 2025 |
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4.14 What to do when the **** hits the fan
|
Dec 01, 2025 |
|
4.13 How to celebrate big wins without getting too big for your boots
|
Nov 24, 2025 |
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4.12 What the Celebrity Traitors taught me about imposter syndrome
|
Nov 17, 2025 |
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4.11 Why my phone addiction confession might help you too
|
Nov 10, 2025 |
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4.10 Why we should celebrate tiny silly wins
|
Nov 03, 2025 |
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4.09 Why you are more than a Gantt chart
|
Oct 27, 2025 |
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4.08 How to stay focused when a lot’s going on - a special coaching episode
|
Oct 20, 2025 |
|
4.07 Why you need an instruction manual
|
Oct 13, 2025 |
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4.06 I answer listener questions
|
Oct 06, 2025 |
|
4.05 How to send that scary email
|
Sep 29, 2025 |
|
4.04 How to prioritise when you have competing challenges - a coaching session with Predrag
|
Sep 22, 2025 |
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4.03 How to mentor anyone in academia with Dr Maria Lamonaca Wisdom
|
Sep 15, 2025 |
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4.02 How to take better notes
|
Sep 08, 2025 |
|
4.01 How to use your existing expertise when you feel like an imposter
|
Sep 01, 2025 |
|
3.48 What to do when you don’t make time for yourself (special coaching episode with Gillian)
|
Aug 04, 2025 |
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3.47 What to do if you’re lonely in academia
|
Jul 28, 2025 |
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3.46 How to prepare for a difficult meeting
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Jul 21, 2025 |
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3.45 How to write your discussion when you don’t know how (special coaching episode with Becci)
|
Jul 14, 2025 |
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3.44 Understanding how power affects student-supervisor relationships
|
Jul 07, 2025 |
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3.43 Answering your questions – balancing different commitments, academic role models and surviving publish or perish culture
|
Jun 30, 2025 |
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3.42 What to do if you are considering leaving your PhD – a special coaching episode
|
Jun 23, 2025 |
|
3.41 Thriving with autism in academia: Advice for students and universities
|
Jun 16, 2025 |
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3.40 How to read academic papers more quickly
|
Jun 09, 2025 |
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3.39 How to get ahead when you’re feeling behind
|
Jun 02, 2025 |
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3.38 Nine things PhD students need to tell themselves more often
|
May 26, 2025 |
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3.37 Why academics need to think like entrepreneurs
|
May 19, 2025 |
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3.36 Why you shouldn’t always do your best
|
May 12, 2025 |
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3.35 How PhD Students Can Network Smarter & Avoid Career Panic with Dr David Mendes from Beyond the Thesis
|
May 05, 2025 |
|
3.34 Why making halfassed decisions is making your PhD harder
|
Apr 28, 2025 |
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3.33 How to make your week more effective
|
Apr 21, 2025 |
|
3.32 How to work out why you procrastinate and what to do about it
|
Apr 14, 2025 |
|
3.31 Protecting your mental health during your PhD with Dr Marissa Edwards
|
Apr 07, 2025 |
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3.30 Doing a PhD with a chronic illness, with special guest Krystina François
|
Mar 31, 2025 |
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3.29 How to Stop Wasting Time by Trying to Be Too Efficient
|
Mar 24, 2025 |
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3.28 How to overcome your fear of presenting (with special guest, author Linda Ugelow)
|
Mar 17, 2025 |
|
3.27 How to “do it all” – a listener Q&A episode!
|
Mar 10, 2025 |
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3.26 How to look after yourself when conducting emotionally distressing research
|
Mar 03, 2025 |
|
3.25 How to edit your work without hating yourself
|
Feb 24, 2025 |
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3.24 How and why to write for Medium (and beyond)
|
Feb 17, 2025 |
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3.23 Why what you do matters (and when it doesn’t)
|
Feb 10, 2025 |
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3.22 Are you in an emotional overdraft? With special guest author Andy Brown
|
Feb 03, 2025 |
|
3.21 Six types of social support you need as a PhD student (and how to get it)
|
Jan 27, 2025 |
|
3.20 Why we should think less about deadlines (and what we should do instead)
|
Jan 20, 2025 |
|
3.19 Secrets we wish PhD students knew with Dr Gertrude Nonterah of the Bold PhD
|
Jan 13, 2025 |
|
3.18 How and When to Change Your Plans: Overcoming Resistance, Embracing Flexibility, and Making Big Moves
|
Jan 06, 2025 |
|
3.17 Overcoming Overwork and Overwhelm in the Final Months of Your PhD (a special coaching episode!)
|
Dec 30, 2024 |
|
3.16 Why I’m banning highlighters
|
Dec 23, 2024 |
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3.15 Creating Positive Academic Environments: Insights from Sports Psychology with Dr Andrew Dewar
|
Dec 16, 2024 |
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3.14 Why Word Count Goals Don't Work for PhD Writing – And What to Do Instead
|
Dec 09, 2024 |
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3.13 Client Q&A - Motivating yourself in your final year, achieving post-PhD goals, and effective podcast listening
|
Dec 02, 2024 |
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3.12 Why perfect plans fail: Embracing imperfection in academic planning
|
Nov 25, 2024 |
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3.11 Navigating AI during your PhD: An Honest Conversation with Dr. Jessica Parker of MoxieLearn
|
Nov 18, 2024 |
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3.10 How to go from idea overload to clarity
|
Nov 11, 2024 |
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3.09 Client Q&A – post-deadline slumps, uncommunicative supervisors, and judging your own work
|
Nov 04, 2024 |
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3.08 How to be more patient and realistic (part of the Be Your Own Best Boss series)
|
Oct 28, 2024 |
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3.07 How (and if) to work when things feel uncertain
|
Oct 21, 2024 |
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3.06 How to inspire the next generation (with Rosa Smith from the Brilliant Club)
|
Oct 14, 2024 |
|
3.05 Client Q&A – getting it done when you don’t feel like it
|
Oct 07, 2024 |
|
3.04 How to be more strategic and ambitious
|
Sep 30, 2024 |
|
3.03 How to get started on a task
|
Sep 23, 2024 |
|
3.02 How to start the academic year
|
Sep 16, 2024 |
|
3.01 How the PhD Life Coach can help you this year
|
Sep 09, 2024 |
|
2.48 Why we should ask if this will make the summary
|
Aug 12, 2024 |
|
2.47 Nine lessons the Olympics taught me that help in academia
|
Aug 05, 2024 |
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2.46 How to work with the version of you who shows up (with special guest Dr Alison Miller)
|
Jul 29, 2024 |
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2.45 Why we should all be more intentional and resourceful (and how!)
|
Jul 22, 2024 |
|
2.44 What to do when you get contradictory advice
|
Jul 15, 2024 |
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2.43 What to do when you can't judge how long things take
|
Jul 08, 2024 |
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2.42 Eight ways you might be secretly procrastinating
|
Jul 01, 2024 |
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2.41 Why we all need to be more encouraging and accepting of ourselves
|
Jun 24, 2024 |
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2.40 How to use a Do Know Don't Know list
|
Jun 17, 2024 |
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2.39 How to be your own best personal assistant
|
Jun 10, 2024 |
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2.38 Why we should all be more compassionate and curious (One of the "Be Your Own Best Boss" Series)
|
Jun 03, 2024 |
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2.37 Why you should never read when you're writing
|
May 27, 2024 |
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2.36 What to do when you get distracted
|
May 20, 2024 |
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2.35 What to do if you feel stuck
|
May 13, 2024 |
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2.34 How to manage your tasks
|
May 06, 2024 |
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2.33. Why we should think of our careers in phases
|
Apr 29, 2024 |
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2.32 How to plan your academic writing (with special guest Jo VanEvery)
|
Apr 22, 2024 |
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2.31 How to get back into work after a break
|
Apr 15, 2024 |
|
2.30 How to break your work down into chunks
|
Apr 08, 2024 |
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2.29 Seven mistakes academics make and how to avoid them
|
Apr 01, 2024 |
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2.28 How to stop comparing yourself
|
Mar 25, 2024 |
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2.27 How to plan when you hate planning (special coaching episode)
|
Mar 18, 2024 |
|
2.26 How to manage your energy
|
Mar 11, 2024 |
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2.25 Five things I still struggle with that might surprise (and reassure) you
|
Mar 04, 2024 |
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2.24 How to plan using "boss mode"
|
Feb 26, 2024 |
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2.23 What to do if academia feels unfair (special coaching episode)
|
Feb 19, 2024 |
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2.22 What to do if you want more reassurance
|
Feb 12, 2024 |
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2.31 Eight things that PhD students and academics can learn from The Traitors
|
Feb 05, 2024 |
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2.20 How to improve your writing (with special guest Katy Peplin from Thrive PhD)
|
Jan 29, 2024 |
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2.19 How to stop procrastinating (part 2)
|
Jan 22, 2024 |
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2.18 How to stop procrastinating (part 1)
|
Jan 15, 2024 |
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2.17 How the PhD Life Coach university membership supports students
|
Jan 08, 2024 |
|
2.16 How to achieve your goals using the self-coaching model
|
Jan 01, 2024 |
|
2.15 Seven things we can learn from Santa
|
Dec 25, 2023 |
|
2.14 How to stop feeling guilty when you rest over the holiday
|
Dec 18, 2023 |
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2.13 Why you should act without thinking
|
Dec 11, 2023 |
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2.12 Five things you probably need to hear right now
|
Dec 04, 2023 |
|
2.11 How to manage your emotions when everyone is stressed
|
Nov 27, 2023 |
|
2.10 How to do academia with ADHD (with guest Dr Alex Conner!)
|
Nov 20, 2023 |
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2.9 How to network (with guest Dr Jen Polk)
|
Nov 13, 2023 |
|
2.8 How to prepare for your viva
|
Nov 06, 2023 |
|
2.7 How to plan your week (with special guest, ex client PhD student Marie!)
|
Oct 30, 2023 |
|
2.6 How to coach yourself (and why you should)
|
Oct 23, 2023 |
|
2.5 How to shorten your written work
|
Oct 16, 2023 |
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2.4 Nine things I learned from organising our wedding that you can apply to your PhD
|
Oct 09, 2023 |
|
2.3 How to manage your supervisor (or boss)
|
Oct 02, 2023 |
|
2.2 How to manage negative feedback
|
Sep 25, 2023 |
|
2.1 What to do if you already feel behind
|
Sep 18, 2023 |
|
41. Seven things I've learned this year that might help you too
|
Jul 24, 2023 |
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40. On Being Unreasonable in academia with guest Kirsty Sedgman
|
Jul 17, 2023 |
|
BONUS - start your day!
|
Jul 13, 2023 |
|
39. How to prepare for your academic summer - structure and freedom
|
Jul 10, 2023 |
|
38. How to prepare for your academic summer - acceptance and resistance
|
Jul 03, 2023 |
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37. What is an academic adjacent career and why might you want one?
|
Jun 26, 2023 |
|
36. Why we should be more proud of ourselves (and how to do it)
|
Jun 19, 2023 |
|
35. How I finished my PhD in just over two years (& why I wouldn't recommend it)
|
Jun 12, 2023 |
|
34. What I learned about task transitions from doing triathlons (badly)
|
Jun 05, 2023 |
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33. How to do role-based time-blocking
|
May 29, 2023 |
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32. How to seek the help you need
|
May 22, 2023 |
|
31. How to spot, and stop, all-or-nothing thinking
|
May 15, 2023 |
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30. How to overcome imposter syndrome
|
May 08, 2023 |
|
29. How to get more confident about teaching
|
May 01, 2023 |
|
28. How to stop beating yourself up and learn from past mistakes instead
|
Apr 24, 2023 |
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27. How to get into Science Communication (with The Struggling Scientists!)
|
Apr 17, 2023 |
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26. How to be kind to yourself
|
Apr 10, 2023 |
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25. How to curate your PhD Life with Jamie Pei
|
Apr 03, 2023 |
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24. How Winnie the Pooh can help you manage your mind
|
Mar 27, 2023 |
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23. How to make decisions you love
|
Mar 20, 2023 |
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22. What to do when you're feeling a bit bleurgh
|
Mar 13, 2023 |
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21. Why I want to coach your supervisor (and what that means for you)
|
Mar 06, 2023 |
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20. What to do when you have too much to do
|
Feb 27, 2023 |
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19. What to do (and think) if you have a toxic relationship with your supervisor
|
Feb 20, 2023 |
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18. How to have a great relationship with your supervisor
|
Feb 13, 2023 |
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17. Why you should never cross things off your to do list and what you should do instead
|
Feb 06, 2023 |
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16. How to tell your story and get the recognition you deserve (part 3)
|
Jan 30, 2023 |
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15. How to tell your story and get the recognition you deserve (part 2)
|
Jan 23, 2023 |
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14. How to tell your story and get the recognition you deserve (part 1)
|
Jan 16, 2023 |
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13. What to do when you know you're behaving like a toddler
|
Jan 09, 2023 |
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12. How to set New Year's resolutions that stick with Dr Karin Nordin
|
Jan 02, 2023 |
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BONUS: Ten lessons I learned about doing PhDs by playing Stardew Valley
|
Dec 26, 2022 |
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11. How to rest over the holiday period
|
Dec 19, 2022 |
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10. How to review your year the strengths-based way with Professor Jenn Cumming
|
Dec 12, 2022 |
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9. How to manage annoying comments at Christmas
|
Dec 05, 2022 |
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8. How to build your own academic community
|
Nov 28, 2022 |
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7. How to avoid the end of year panic
|
Nov 21, 2022 |
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6. Why you deserve (and can have) a life outside of academia
|
Nov 14, 2022 |
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5. How accepting where you are is the first step to getting where you want to be
|
Nov 07, 2022 |
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4. How to write the thing when you're not writing the thing
|
Oct 31, 2022 |
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1. How to be your own best supervisor
|
Oct 18, 2022 |
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2. Why you don't need a new planner
|
Oct 18, 2022 |
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3. How to swim when you're drowning in emails
|
Oct 18, 2022 |