Soil Ecophysics

A List of Soil Science Courses and Degrees in the UK

Interested in studying soil science? This list of courses from tasters to a full on MSc program will be sure to get your juices flowing.

PhD - Starting

Can I Do a PhD in 35-40 Hours a Week?

Keeping a PhD to 35-40 hours a week is a great strategy, but can it be done?

PhD - Parenting

Can I Do a PhD With Kids?

Doing a PhD with kids is certainly a challenge but you'll develop a unique set of skills to take on any challenge in the future.

PhD - Starting

Do you get to travel a lot as a PhD researcher?

During a PhD there can be many opportunities for travel around the globe. But beware, it's not all benefits.

Skills - Writing

Academic Writing Month ('AcWriMo'): Time to Focus on Writing

Academic Writing Month takes place across the world in November each year - will you take on the challenge and write 50,000 words for your PhD in a month?

PhD - Day-to-Day

What Motivates Me to Do a PhD and How Do I Keep it Up?

Discover 13 different ways to find and maintain motivation throughout your PhD.

Skills - Time Management

How To Make a PhD Timeline Template in Word

I've created a step-by-step guide to create a super easy and professional looking PhD timeline template. Or download my ready made templates.

PhD - Before

Am I Too Old to do a PhD?

Can you be too old to start a PhD, or does age just provide you with a different set of experiences and skills?

PhD - Before

Are PhDs Hard?

Is spending long hours for 3-5 years of your life focusing on one subject, hard?

Skills - Time Management

Why Most Plans and Goals are Like an All You Can Eat Buffet

More often than not people take the all you can eat buffet approach to planning out their research. Read on to find out a healthier approach.

Skills - Time Management

How to Set SMART(-YO!) Goals For a PhD

In this epic second part I share how to go about setting goals that mean something to you and the people around you.

PhD - Before

Do I Need a Masters (MSc) To Do a PhD?

Will a Masters degree help you to achieve your PhD dreams?

PhD - Before

Should I Do A PhD? 10 Great Reasons You Should

Thinking about doing a PhD? Here I share ten great reasons why embarking on a period of intense research is a great thing to do.

Skills - Time Management

Example Goals and Sub Goals For a PhD Researcher

In this post, I have outlined my overall PhD goal, my sub-goals and how these might map onto a monthly task list. I hope this example will help you in designing your own series of PhD goals.

Skills - Writing Featured

What Are The 6 Steps of the Writing Process?

There are 6 steps in the writing process; ideating, research, outlining, writing, editing and publishing. Here I look at them in detail to help you work out the different parts and some tools you could use.

Newsletter

🧠 Brain STREAM 7: Dictionaries

I never thought I could have so much fun discussing the use of the humble dictionary. This week I talk about word use in the sciences and how a physical dictionary can add some flower to our word power.

What To Expect From Your First PhD Coaching Session

In this article I want to discuss my first PhD coaching session so that you will have an idea of what to expect if you decide to get a coach yourself. As an overview, your first PhD coaching session will be very much about your coach getting to know you.

PhD - Parenting

Typical Day in The Life of a PhD Student Parent

What does a typical day look like in the life of a PhD parent who works 4 days on her PhD? Read this post to find out!

Resources - Books

Read Sinek's 'Start With Why' to Find Inspiration For Your PhD

We all reach the point in our PhDs when we struggle to keep up momentum and each day is a slog. The book 'Start With Why' by Simon Sinek could help you find your spark again.

Skills - Communication

Starting an Academic Blog; What To Write About

Wonder no more if you are thinking about starting an academic blog and don't know what to write about. This blog will help get you inspired in your blogging topics.

PhD - Before

Why a PhD Might Be a Bad Idea: 13 Reasons Not To Do a Research Degree

Are you sure doing a PhD is the right thing for you? Here are 13 reasons why you may want to think twice.

PhD - Parenting

How To Manage Parenting and a Do a PhD at the Same Time

There's no secret to managing a PhD and all the chaos that being a parent also brings. In this post I share some of my own coping strategies.

Newsletter

🧠 Brain STREAM 6: Deadlines

They are what everyone dreads, but deadlines are a part of life. Are there ways we can see them differently? This week I reflect on what missing two deadlines means to me.

Resources - Apps

Why I'm Switching From Obsidian to Capacities

Obsidian is a great software but I increasingly find myself drawn to Capacities. In this article I detail the reasons why.

Skills - Writing

How Can I Learn to Write Faster?

Here I share 12 ideas to help you learn to write faster. Each idea has a suggested practise activity to get you started on your literary journey!