27 things PhD candidates wish they’d known (according to Nature)
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Why being smart isn’t enough to complete a PhD
“Say, you have taken that ethics course at the graduate school, right? Otherwise you can’t get your PhD,” says your colleague. Your neighbor approaches it differently: “I really admire you for being so smart, all that reading, all that studying. I could never do that. Your parents must be so…
What AI can (and can’t) do for you during your PhD
“Can you help me make this paragraph flow a bit better?” Long live ChatGPT. Within seconds, a new version appeared on my screen. More readable. To the point. And to be honest: it was a relief. Maybe you’ve had similar moments. You’re trying to find the right words, you’ve lost…
Four-Year Contract, Five Years of Work: It’s Time for Structural Change
On March 21st, Promovendi Netwerk Nederland presented their report Four Years of Contract, Five+ Years of Work: Factors Hindering and Supporting a Timely PhD Completion at a symposium. It was a sharp and well-substantiated presentation, followed by a lively panel discussion moderated by Joeri Tijdink. The panel members were Marie-José…
Must watch podcast!
Lodewijk and I were recently interviewed by Lexter Woodley for her podcast. As she describes it: Whether you’re on the fence about pursuing a PhD or knee-deep in your research, this conversation is packed with practical tips and hard-earned wisdom. From tackling procrastination and navigating tricky supervisor relationships to staying…
Six reasons why your article is rejected – and what to do about them
Blood, sweat, and tears. You’ve submitted your article. What responses might you get from the journal? Acceptance without revisions If this happens, you’ve hit the jackpot. It’s rare, but it means you don’t need to do anything further. Your article will be published as it is. Acceptance with minor revisions…
Get started with Really Write
Recently, I met Taylor Krohn, an academic writing instructor. She asked me to check out Really Write, a free editing tool she created with a software developer to help researchers write clearly and concisely. How does Really Write work? Copy your text to the website, and you’ll receive feedback…
AI responses too vague? This helps!
Chances are, you’ve attempted to use AI for your research, such as ChatGPT. AI can be an incredibly useful tool for you as a PhD candidate. Whether it’s brainstorming ideas, writing articles, or getting feedback when you need it, AI can streamline and enhance your research process. AI responses not…
No rush PhD
Some time ago, I conducted a workshop for the PhD candidates at Amsterdam Movement Sciences. The workshop was titled ‘Taking the Helm: Strategic Leadership and Feedback Tactics for PhD Students’. Take Charge of Your PhD Journey We discussed how to take charge of your PhD journey, emphasising that the…
Networking? Yuck….
It’s such an itch-inducing word: networking. Immediately, I’m reminded of networking events where you don’t know anyone and have to pretend you’re having a good time, and of forced introductory rounds with games. Yuck… Maybe I’m projecting my own discomfort onto you, but I know few people who say, ‘Great,…
Baking and pursuing a PhD: what’s it all about?
Suppose you want to learn how to bake bread. You look for someone to teach you and find Charles, a wiry, enthusiastic master baker with traditional checkered baker’s trousers who is eager to get started with you. He has won various awards, been featured in professional magazines, and presents at…
Beyond Academic Writing: Mastering the Full Writing Process
Regularly, I am asked why I organise writing courses, “…after all, there are academic writing courses available, and if I’ve taken those, why would I need another writing course?” Good question. Academic Writing Academic writing courses focus on theoretical and analytical aspects; they cover topics such as the structure of…
Inspiration for 2024 – from insight to action
I’m not really into New Year’s resolutions because they don’t tend to work. I’m more about learning from the past and applying that knowledge to the present. Or focusing on how you want to feel first, and then setting your goals accordingly. And I can certainly attest that there’s a…
Why I offer researchers and scientists a Chinese workout
A cliché, but true: researchers and scientists experience stress. It has various causes: competition for research funds and the race to be the first with publications, financial pressure to secure sufficient resources, the pressure to regularly publish in renowned journals, time pressure due to various deadlines, no proper work-life balance,…
Say no more
“What’s in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell just as sweet.” Julia indicates with this world-famous line that a name is just a label and that a name, in itself, means nothing. Are names important? In the context of Romeo and Juliet,…
Do you have alleyways in your agenda?
Do you live in a house with an alleyway? An alleyway is a path at the back of blocks of houses to get to the garden or shed. The reason such a path is called an alleyway is that the fire brigade uses that path to reach difficult places and…
The new academic year, I’m back in action!
“We would appreciate it if you could stay for a few days. That way, we can better monitor how you respond to the medication.” And so, what I thought would be a half-hour appointment turned into the beginning of a four-and-a-half-week hospital stay. During my time in the hospital, it…
What to do to make the day a tiny bit better
Recently I read the blog of The Thesis Whisperer. In this blog, Inger Mewburn ponders why we are all so tired. And how she noticed that more PhD students don’t show up at training sessions or courses. That it seems that the social aspect of PhD life seems to deteriorate.…
What do cooking and writing have in common?
There are different types of cooks. The improvisers, the recipe-lovers, the just-throwing-things-in-the-pan-cooks, the I-prefer-takeaway-cooks, the burned-pan-cooks, the exploded kitchen-cooks. In the same way, you have different kinds of writers. You could talk about Beethovian – writers who will change and adapt their writing while writing or Mozartian – writers that…
Tips for PhD’s from PhD’s (14) on making notes
Not long ago I received an email from Paul. He is very enthusiastic about the Zettelkasten method. This method allows you to make your own database in which can you organize and collect your ideas, file your literature, connect different aspects and draw conclusions. All the above is not always…
Why breaks are really important to implement in your day if you want to achieve more
‘I can’t concentrate’, Peter is saying. Sandra reacts: ‘It seems I am working more hours weekly but with fewer results.’ ‘Doing your PhD can be such a sh*tty job now and then. It is never good enough; I am not progressing as I should and constantly struggling on my own.…
What would I still want to do?
Autumn is on its way, a great time to reflect. The year is not finished yet; still a whole season in front of us. And of course the start of the New Academic Year, always the feeling of a fresh start. Reflection So, this time of the year is a…
Are you also affected by the negativity bias?
‘Well, everyone was quite positive about the article. But I was so annoyed by the comment of one co-author, I have been dwelling on it the whole week.’ Do you recognize this? Undoubtedly. Big chances you also suffer from the negativity bias: the brain is hardwired for negativity and so…
Tips for PhD’s from PhD’s (13): on thankfulness
Have you ever heard of Paul de Blot? He was a Professor of Business Spirituality at Nijengrode Business University and has had an extraordinary life. Paul de Blot In short: he was born in 1924 in Indonesia, a Commando in the army during WWII and spent 5 years in a…
Why intelligence doesn’t always work in your favour
At University – and in our society – intelligence is highly valued and the emphasis is on thinking. From a young age, it is instilled to think critically. You learn how to dissect things, not how to assemble them. We mainly learn to think non-constructive instead of constructive. You will…
Turn it around
What if I tell you that you plan in the wrong way? That time-management will not be beneficial for you, that you are forgetting what is most important? Big chance you are shrugging your shoulders. Of course, I am quite capable to figure out how to plan my PhD? Do…
Practical tips for meetings with your supervisor(s)
‘You have to take the rough with the smooth.’ In short, that’s how PhD students explain to me what they think about how they are supervised. Some are happy with how they are supported by their supervisor and (daily) tutor(s), others get really upset, insecure, frustrated and even unhappy. What…
Act like they do at Princeton
Even before Robbert Dijkgraaf became the Minister of Education, Culture and Science in January this year, I followed him a bit. No, he is not a ‘secret crush’ but I really favour some of his ideas. Robbert Dijkgraaf Quite a while ago I saw him on television, where he talked…
Why do you read?
You read an awful lot during your PhD. And it is quite a job. You have to make sure you find the right literature and don’t lose yourself in all these articles that might be very interesting. You have to make sure you remember everything you read. It really can…
Are you already using the 3-minute rule?
Please not now. I will do it later. First something else. Oh well, too late, I will do it tomorrow. I can hear myself thinking. Procrastination. Delaying your PhD. No interest in doing anything. It doesn’t really matter how you call it. It matters what you should do about it.…
Do you feel like an imposter? Two strategies to deal with it
Do you have the idea that you are a fraud? That even though it seems that you are able to do a PhD, you still have the feeling that you are not capable of doing it at all? Or does it feel that, despite the clear opinion of your supervisors,…
For when you have almost finished your PhD
The end of your PhD is looming, so lots of practical matters will arise. Many PhD students have the impression that once the Thesis Committee has received your thesis, they can take time off till the day of their viva. Unfortunately, I am really sorry to disappoint you…. You still…
How to prepare for the defense of your thesis? 14 Tips
Are you already looking forward to celebrating once you finish your PhD, but are you dreading the day of your oral defense? You are not the only one. A couple of tips to put your best foot forward for this viva. A job well begun, is a job half done!…
To make life just a tiny bit more fun
Maybe it is the time of the year, maybe it’s the era, maybe a combination. Fewer students have finished their PhD the last couple of years. One cause is Corona, stress is another one. I also hear from many PhD students that they are at the end of their tether.…
Why by doing nothing you are actually doing a lot for your PhD
In the Netherlands we have the expression: ‘Idleness is the devil’s pillow.’ Meaning that by doing nothing you gain nothing. I disagree! Why? Really simple: it is so important to recharge, not do anything, relax, recuperate. Because the more energy you have, the easier your PhD will flow. Are you…
Put a smile on your face PhD student!
2022 has begun. 2021 was for many PhD students a really hard year. Almost 2 years in the middle of a pandemic has left its mark. And one day for sure can be harder than the other. Is this day an awful day? Do you know that laughing is a…
Small steps make a big difference
In the last couple of weeks, I was in contact with many PhD students during the catalyst sessions. What did strike me was that the pandemic has such an enormous effect on your PhD. Not only in regard to what is possible for your research at the moment but also…
La Méthode Brookoise – on writing and feedback
Now and then I come across a blog article that makes me realise: how come I haven’t seen this before? In this case, it is Corey Bradshaw’s article, taken from his website Conversationbytes.com, on how to write a scientific paper. The blog is dated October 2012! Quite old but still…
Why it is a good idea to try reflective writing
Imagine, you are baking a cake for the first time ever. Or you have decided to knit a sweater for the first time. You are going to construct a wooden cupboard, or you are going to wallpaper a wall in your house, both things you have never done before. Once…
How to be motivated again
Everything should run smoothly again by now, shouldn’t it? We have a little more space now the Universities have opened up again and with the Coronapas social life becomes a bit easier. It seems a little bit back to normal in many ways. So probably you think you should be…
How the Stoics can help you finish your PhD
What can you control? One of the major ideas of Stoicism is that you have to make a distinction between things that are within your control and things that are not. A modern version of this idea are Stephen Covey’s circle of influence and circle of concern, which are explained…
The difference between experienced and inexperienced writers
Many researchers need more time than they think to finish their research. Probably you are also one of them. How come? Heinze Oost – a former employee at Utrecht University – explained quite a bit in a series of 5 (highly recommended) articles on research and I definitely agree with…
How to maintain overview
At the beginning of the new Academic Year, it is always a great time to reflect. In case you want to have a good start to your research and stay on track, it is highly recommended to have a clear overview. The three aspects I won’t tell you anything surprising…
Eight tips from the olden days, but still up-to-date
And…. which way is the wind blowing for you? Are you looking forward to starting or are you feeling reluctant? Whatever the case, the new Academic Year gives you the possibility to start afresh. I have given many tips in the last years on how to start the new Academic…
Why it is a great idea to have a buddy and more ideas to avoid struggling on your own
Times are still uncertain; we don’t know how the coming Academic Year will start. Will you be allowed to go to University, perhaps still working from home (hybrid), will we still need to maintain a 1,5-meter distance, what will be the maximum number of people allowed in a room, what…
Why being bored is beneficial for your PhD
Our brains are in constant overdrive: always busy. During your day-to-day tasks, but also during your REM sleep, which will help you process your day. On top of that, there are endless external stimuli from your emails, social media, your apps, all resulting in a brain out of balance. The…
Tips for PhD’s from PhD’s (12) perfectionism, productivity and Pareto
Perfectionism can really bother you. It works as a protection mechanism because it is a way to keep control. Well, that is what you think. Chances are big you are telling yourself that if you do everything in a perfect manner, all your problems will be solved. But of course,…
Why juggling can help you finish your PhD successfully
As a child, jugglers really fascinated me. They throw and catch clubs, balls and fire torches as if it is the most natural thing to do. Even now I will stop and watch if I spot a juggler. I can still follow a juggler with 3 balls, but I am…
Do you dare to ask for help?
Vraagverlegenheid, a great Dutch word that entails the following according to Researchers of the University of Leiden: a person experiencing possible obstacles and reluctance when asking for help. Many PhD students suffer from this ‘not daring to ask syndrome’ and have the idea that I should be able to do…
Useful programs for creating graphs – as recommended by PhD students
Creating tables and graphs; I don’t know many people who think that this is a cause for great joy. For most, it leads to a lot of frustration, stress and cursing. So I have a couple of free programs for you, recommended by PhD students, which will considerably simplify creating…
Take a decision-detox
Nadia Boulanger was a French composer, conductor, pianist and influential music teacher. One of her famous sayings is without discipline there can be no freedom. One way to explain this is by making choices – disciplining yourself – you eliminate making more decisions. This creates a lot of space. So,…
The power of walking!
What can you always do, without preparation, without needing special materials, that costs as much time as you spend on it and that provides you and your PhD with so many benefits? Exactly: walking! It is the best present you can give yourself. A daily walk. I already wrote about…
How much time do you need for writing – and it is less than you think
Do you feel you can only write in long, uninterrupted blocks of time? Or once you have finished all your other tasks, cleared your desk, or when you finally have a whole day, a whole evening or perhaps once you have time for 5 days straight? Because that is the…
A podcast!
Podcasts offer great opportunities to develop oneself, to relax, to explore and discover. I listed an overview of some interesting podcasts in this blog. More tips for podcasts Roy Meijer, Science Information Officer at TU Delft, also composed a great list of science podcasts. PhD Talk Podcast And: a while…
How to keep track of everything you are (not) doing?
I am asked frequently what to do to ensure a good overview of one’s PhD. The simple answer is: by making proper planning. Proper planning, how? Start with using the 5 tips mentioned in this blog. Of course, there is more to be said about planning. Try searching here to…
If only I could recommend one thing….
Do you know that I have been supporting PhD students to finish their PhD successfully and in time for more than 13 years now and with great pleasure? You can imagine the number of PhD students I have spoken to in all these years. The striking point is that all…
Could you become more successful in 21 days with just 2 minutes a day?
Shawn Achor, a researcher at Harvard, figured out to be more successful in a simple way. He states that you can do that in 21 days with just 2 minutes a day. Does that sound too good to be true? No, it is not, as Achor explains in his bestselling…
How to ensure you will (almost) never be frustrated again
You lost your face mask again. Your partner is grumpy. You are still waiting for your supervisor’s feedback. Your computer crashes. There is hardly any progress on your analysis. And you so don’t want to check that text again, after having revised it for the 15th time. And all of…
How to make it easier to revise and edit
Revising is not an easy task. There is so much to pay attention to in your text. Spelling, grammar, your ideas, your argumentation, paragraphs, references, charts, explanation of the charts, the way you are presenting your results. Consequently, you can’t see the wood for the trees. Handy tips In this…
How Super Mario can help you with your PhD
Have you ever played the Super Mario game? Then you know that the goal is to rescue Princess Peach by guiding Mario past obstacles and opponents and collecting as many points as possible. To achieve this you have to play through 32 levels. According to Mark Rober – NASA engineer…
Wait till they find out that I can’t do it….
When will they find out I can’t do it? And me asking too many questions, they will for sure think I am not at all cut out to be a PhD student. Do you recognize this? It is then very likely you suffer from imposter syndrome. Many PhD students struggle…
Still trying to achieve your New Year’s resolutions? Have another go…
I am getting rather tired of it. All these lists of New Year’s resolutions, fresh starts, start anew. 2021 is only a few weeks old and I don’t want to be reminded of all these good intentions. Also, because probably in a few weeks time, nobody will have kept them.…
Surprise yourself: reflect!
Reflection Not really an exciting concept. At least, not to me. There are a lot of models you can use and yes they are all very beneficial, handy and well thought out. However, I don’t think they are very appealing to use. Why reflection is a good idea? To reflect…
Perfect is the enemy of good
You have been busy writing an article for weeks now. Every time you change a sentence to make it even better. Then you read another article, checking if you can use it for your text. You are questioning yourself if your text will be good enough to send to your…
How to survive a ‘screen day’?
You are sitting the whole day behind a screen, maybe with headphones or earphones. Do you have the feeling that you are extremely busy? That you are constantly moving from one online meeting to the other? That your list is endless? And are you completely exhausted at the end of…
Where to find any glimmers of light?
The lockdown hasn’t finished yet. Maybe you were already tired of the lockdown and are you fed up with it all. Or you are still coping but now it all is taking its toll. To search for some glimmers of light now and then is very important. So instead of…
What to do to feel better – even if you don’t believe it
To undertake a PhD is a rather complex task. Now and then you probably feel unhappy or uncomfortable. The present times only make it even more complicated. That is why it is so important to take care of yourself. You can do that in many different ways. Three different scientists,…
Tips from PhD’s for PhD’s (11) on conclusions and how to make notes
A while ago Marjolein emailed me. She was very enthusiastic about the book How to take smart notes, one simple technique to boost writing, learning and thinking – for students, academics and nonfiction book writers by Sönke Ahrens. Normally Marjolein would have many browser tabs open on her computer,…
Are you a perfectionist?
Setting the bar high is great. To make sure you are doing everything as well as possible is a great quality to have. Perfectionism can be beneficial. Only if you are capable of letting go of the expectation. If you would always strive for perfection, which means that nothing should…
Handy tool for a fresh start of the Academic Year
The start of the Academic Year is a great way to start afresh. And also, to have another look at your productivity. Quite a while ago I posted an overview on my Dutch website about many different tools. It now seems that most of these have become superfluous, or maybe…
Life of a PhD student….
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Mixed feelings after the holiday
I always have some mixed feelings after the holiday. On the one hand, I don’t want the holiday to be finished, on the other hand, I want to get back to work. Starting up What helps me the most to start up again is not taking on the whole world…
How to work hard?
Working hard for the best result If I work a little bit harder or maybe work a bit longer today, I will definitely finish everything. Can you hear yourself saying this? If you can, you have fallen in a big trap. The trap which states that more is better. And…
Take a holiday!
In the last couple of weeks, I am frequently asked: ‘Shall I take a holiday? Maybe it is better if I stay home, I am already lagging behind. The situation of the last months has made it even worse.’ My answer is quite simple: take a holiday! Probably you need…
Zettelkasten – eh….what?!
One of the most productive scientists of the last century was Niklas Luhmann. One of the main reasons he was so productive was his method of working. He used a system to arrange his knowledge and literature, gather ideas, and to monitor his notes. Later on, this system was called…
What do you want?
The academic year is soon coming to an end. We are still in lockdown. Some things are allowed, some aren’t. These times might be a great time for some reflection. You can do this in two ways: either by looking back or by looking forward and questioning yourself: what do…
Are you getting tired of the lockdown?
We have been in lockdown for over three months now. At the moment we are allowed a little bit more but what will the future hold? When will the Universities open up again? When will you be able to use the lab again? The rules have relaxed a bit concerning…
How to cooporate better with a person you don’t really like?
Do you recognise this particular situation? Cooperating and discussing matters with people you don’t really like or want to interact with? And perhaps they might provoke a sort of allergic reaction in you? I myself experience it now and then. And I know many PhD students do as well, sometimes…
Sometimes you have to give the floor to others….
What are the characteristics, habits, and skills that are really important in life? You could think of many, but by decreasing your bad habits and being creative you will go a long way. How come? I am giving the floor to the following two women who will explain it to…
What to do when you can’t stop fretting and worrying?
How will all this affect my research? I am experiences delays, what consequences will this have? The lab, when will it be open again? It is really impossible to carry out my analyses because of my poor internet connection. I feel lonely. When will I be able to see my…
Tips for PhD’s from PhD’s (10)
How to become a great scientist? Quite a while ago I received the tip from Tineke en Marjolein to listen to a couple of podcasts and watch some popular scientific programs. During a training, Tineke had heard of the notion ‘developing a talent for science’, which stated that you can…
What to do when you feel down….
It is quite a challenge. Staying at home as much as possible, keeping a distance of 1,5 meters, most of the Universities closed and having to work online all of a sudden. I could easily add more items to this list of challenges. What to do when you feel down?…
Keep moving!
As you are at home a lot more than usual, it is very important to exercise. In the blog of this week, you will find 5 tips on exercising. They are from fit20. And yes, I am completely prejudiced, my husband owns a fit20 studio. I have been training for…
Read a book and be inspired, it will also help you with your PhD
Have you read that new book yet everybody is talking about? No, I haven’t, not enough time, I am so busy. Maybe you should read more good books. Research has shown that all kind of changes is taking place in your brain resulting in creating very favourable conditions for your…
Discussion and conclusion, what’s the low down
The discussion and conclusion sections are often the most challenging to write for PhD students. What is expected of you? The discussion is the section that follows the methods and the results. The conclusion comes after the discussion. In the discussion, you let the reader know what your research means…
What do diving and earning a PhD have in common?
On first thought, diving and earning a PhD may not seem to have much in common. But, the things that let you make a safe dive can also apply to keep you healthy, successful and earn your degree in time. How can this be? To dive safely, it is imperative…
Procrastination doesn’t mean you are lazy…
Procrastination feels awful. And, it can also have terrible consequences. Procrastination behaviour is possible in any area of life: not going to your doctor or dentist appointments, not tidying up, not getting around to making that one phone call, not doing any of the jobs that need to be done…
I only reach out to my supervisor if I can show some progress
When I was a child, I sometimes fell while playing, and ripped a hole in my jeans. As soon as I got home, I took off those ripped jeans and threw them in the laundry basket. I hoped my mother wouldn’t find out, or find out so much later…
How to avoid stress before the holidays
It happens twice a year. Stress! Panic, hassle. What happened? Something serious? No: the holidays have begun. Christmas holidays or summer holidays. Somehow we always have the expectation that everything should be finished. And most of the time that is not possible. What to do do to start the…
How to draw to remember
You probably know the cliché that an image tells you more than 1000 words. And it is true! This is an example of a visual. A combination of text and image to make sure you remember the context of the book. One view is enough to give you the…
Tips for PhD’s from PhD’s (9) about ‘Wooping your life’
I have already written several blogs about planning. But, since I know as well as anyone that knowing or reading something does not necessarily mean you can actually do it, it was helpful that Marjolein came up with a tip about “WOOP” ing your life. Now, WOOP does not only…
Should I start a blog?
Shall I start a blog or not is the question Quite a few scientists have been blogging at the moment and more and more PhD students have started a blog. Sometimes as a video blog to explain specific things, or in a different format like the English Open University. Another…
How to be persistent during challenging and aversive activities
You probably know the marshmallow test: ask little children if they would like to have one marshmallow now, or they will get a second one if they can go 15 minutes without eating the first one. A very difficult question for a small child! Marshmallow test For a long time,…
Do I really have to do it, or would it be nice if I do it….?
‘Should I first continue working on that article?’ Or should I first research more literature? Do I need an extra experiment? No wait, first finish analysing this one. Oh no; I have a meeting I should attend. I should actually probably prepare for that meeting. And, there’s no room in…
How stress can cause harm and why resilience is so important
We all have stress, but PhD students experience it in a very specific way. This is due to a variety of factors as shown in our research. For example, PhD students may feel it is unclear what exactly is asked of them, that the workload and finding a conclusion of…
Tips for PhD’s from PhD’s (8)
Recently, Geesje sent me an interesting video about planning, made by Groningen University. It is about working SMART and how to implement this in your daily life. Click here for the video. Definitely worth watching. And pay specific attention to the part which explains how to deal with free time…
A lesson about happiness
Many PhD students do not feel very happy, lucky, or fortunate, often due to the high amounts of stress they find themselves under. However, there can be an assortment of other reasons for this as well. Maybe this can help you. Go grab a piece of paper and a…
Your research is not the most important aspect of your PhD, but what is…
‘Your research is the most important thing, just focus on that.’ ‘Make sure you spend 24/7 on your research, otherwise you will fail.’ Do you recognise these comments? I know they are uttered many times and many supervisors think along the same lines. I have a different view though. Of…
The Sans Forgetica, for an unforgettable thesis!
Do you ever have the idea that you quickly forget what you literally just read? You’re not alone. Methods to help you remember Remembering things is a complicated process. There is a variety of scientifically proven methods that can help you remember more and improve your memory. Examples of this…
That darn phone…..
I was shocked. I hadn’t even considered this, over an hour a half of screen time in a day. My phone lets me know this information, and it is more time spent than I would like to admit. Time to make some changes and take control. Is it true for…
Better than New Year’s Resolutions (and it will only take you 10 minutes!)
New Year’s resolution are bound to fail. So how to start this fresh New Year in the best way possible. Not by setting New Year’s resolutions but by learning from the past year. Sounds complicated? Definitely not. Three simple questions will make your year start of with the right energy. …
How to get rid of negative thoughts?
They have accepted your article. YES! You feel great and you are on top of the world. Or you receive the message that your paper is not accepted. S***. You feel absolutely rubbish. And the feelings don’t fleet away. Even if someone compliments you on your great research, you still…
Hyperfocus, is that something worth trying?
Our thoughts become distracted the most when we are stressed or annoyed. You work 50% longer if you continually switch tasks, in comparison to staying on one task from start to finish. On average, we switch applications on our computer 566 times on a typical workday, and check our email…
Tips from PhD’s for PhD’s (7)
Do you have the feeling that whatever you do, it is never enough? That you actually should have had more published? That you should be further along with your research? That maybe, you just feel like you aren’t good enough? These are feelings and thoughts countless PhD students have. Achieving…
What do you need to pay attention to with a poster presentation?
It is extremely likely that during your studies you’ll give a poster presentation at some point. What do you need to pay attention to and focus on for these posters? Here’s a few handy tips: If you can, pick a title that draws in the audience. For example: “Are PhDs…
The difference between a circumstance and its meaning
Quite a while ago I gave a course to prospective mediators. One of the most important concepts I covered was the difference between a circumstance and the meaning we give it. Why is that difference so important? Because it is the source of so many conflicts! The more clear we…
Deep work, is it beneficial?
Riding a rollercoaster or going bungee jumping to get rid of kidney stones. In the zoo chimpanzees can imitate humans better and more often than vice versa. Saliva works well as a cleaning solution. Living as a cannibal, you would not consume enough calories. The more road rage you have…
Don’t believe it!
Do you find writing difficult? Then you are not alone. That’s why I’m going to help you work through the most common misbeliefs about writing, which will allow you to write better with ease. One of the obstacles facing PhD students is writing. The writing process requires concentration and focus,…
Why am I always so busy?
Does that feeling seem familiar to you? Always feeling unbelievably busy? Not having enough time for the things you find important, and not getting to the things you enjoy and prefer to do? Then, you are not the only one. Many people feel like this, and PhD students are no…
What are your plans this summer? Make a holiday wish list!
Summer holidays; it could be a period without any obligations and empty space. Or you could decide to learn something new. This will also help you to detach from the normal routine. What do you want to do this summer? Have you thought about your plans for this summer? And…
Use questions as a tool when writing your thesis
A great deal of research has been conducted to figure out how professional writers write. Results of that research show that writing is a cognitive process; a sort of problem solving. Writing is a recursive process. Recursion is the process a procedure goes through when one of the steps of…
A step-by-step action plan to achieve your goals or skip them of your to-do list
Do you struggle to reach your goals? I will give you a step-by-step action plan to achieve them or to make sure you can skip them from your to-do list. Sometimes it is better deleting them than keeping them on your list. The latter demands a lot of energy and…
What does your supervisor need?
Writing can become easier if you use a different approach. Once you know what your readers – in this case, your supervisors – pay attention to, you know where to focus on in your text. Logical and effective don’t you think? How do supervisors perceive your text? Your supervisor…
Writing, first you make a mess….
Do you hate writing? Is it hard for you to start writing and once you started, to actually come in a writing flow? I am going to help you in 4 steps to write with joy again. William G. Perry, Jr, a well-known educational psychologist and Professor of Education at…
A different approach for better conversations with your supervisor
You probably recognise this. A meeting with your supervisor is coming up, you prepared every detail, you know what you want but when the meeting is over, you leave the room disgruntled. Or you feel insignificant the moment you step through his/her door? You have the feeling like you are…
Never procrastinate and always free time…..
One blog I read regularly is by Leo Babauta, called zen habits. Essentially, he writes about simplifying your life. A while ago, Scott Young was a guest blogger for Babuata’s website and he wrote the post, The Really Simple Way to Get Work Done. I was greatly inspired by this…
Make a habit of writing and notice the benefits
You’ve realised it by now. Writing is a crucial skill, and these papers and chapters do not appear out of thin air. However, many of us are struggling to put words to paper. Well… Why is writing so complicated? I don’t have to explain that to you, you can easily…
Why you should always write an abstract, even if it is not required by the publishing scientific journal
I wrote before how to write a good abstract. But why are abstracts so important? Reason 1 An abstract will help you to clarify the subject of your paper. The abstract is your first step in the writing process, it helps you organise your thoughts. A straightforward abstract can be…
Having a strategy for reading is very handy, even if it sounds boring
You bought a new appliance, and then? Do you read the manual and then follow it step by step, or do you just start pushing buttons and only grab the manual in case you get stuck? A lot of research is done on manuals and how they function (or not).…
Surely I will become happier by working harder on my PhD
Isn’t it true that when you work really hard, when you meet all your deadlines, when you make sure you will go to that very important congress, that that will make you much happier? Or maybe that isn’t true? The problem is that every time you are successful in something,…
Why you should think about your acknowledgements in your dissertation
A while ago I received a dissertation from Lodewijk Schmit Jongbloed. Of course you get that it isn’t that strange that I receive a dissertation now and then. What was special though were the acknowledgements in this particular dissertation. Why were the acknowledgments so special? Lodewijk used a metaphor: his…
Recipe for writing a scientific paper
Take the following ingredients.… The classic first words of every recipe. I received a recipe via Marc Koper on how to write a paper. He didn’t cook it up himself, but George Whitesides did, a Professor of Chemistry at Harvard University. His recipe is intended for chemistry, but is also very…
Good times and bad times
Some days nothing works. You have tried everything, changed your work place, put on the right music to study, divided your work into smaller tasks and used the pomodoro technique. And still it doesn’t work. I have one more tip for you that you can use to change the bad times…
How to annotate together and work more efficiently
Open access, it is more and more the norm. You can now make open web annotations via hypothes.is. You can annotate with a book mark or chrome extension and also see what annotations others have made. In that way you can annotate together, for instance with people who share the…
Why I know for sure you will finish your PhD (2)
Last week I wrote how we believe our own thoughts. Thoughts that appear when you are not feeling very well can result in such a train of thoughts that you start believing that you will never finish your PhD. This video explains how that works, how you basically create your…
Why I know for sure you will finish your PhD
“Will I ever finish my PhD?” I don’t know any PhD student who doesn’t ask himself this question. Depending on how you are feeling, a train of thoughts will occur after this question. In case you are feeling happy, this is what you might hear: “Of course everything will be…
The Miracle Question for PhD’s
“No, not again! Every time this silly stuff, it seems it never changes!” Last summer I moved office. I had still one box left to be opened. When I finally did that this morning a little leaflet whirled out of the box with the text: Miracle Question. I had completely…
Tips for PhD’s from PhD’s (6)
Procrastination is like a credit card: it’s a lot of fun until you get the bill. Christopher Parker I am not sure if I agree with this statement: my experience has taught me that procrastination is not only ‘fun’ but also gives you a ‘feeling of guilt and discontentment’. Maybe…
Why your mother was right (and why you need lots of sleep as a PhD student)
‘I don’t want to go to bed!’ You probably shouted that on many occasions when you were young. I did! And although I was always angry that I had to go to bed, my mum was right in making sure I would sleep enough. Why is sleep so important? You…
Would you like to be more confident? Be an idiot!
But why don’t you dare to do that? It is not that difficult? That’s your opinion but you never had to do it. You don’t really want to discuss with your supervisor that you don’t know how to proceed. Just try it yourself a couple more times, because it can’t…
An important step towards streamlining your PhD
The last couple of weeks I had lots of talks with PhD students. The thing that struck me the most was that PhD students don’t talk. Yes, they talk to me, because I am an outsider and not too scary and I know so much about the process of getting…
Why sleep is more important than work (especially for PhD students)
‘Are you kidding? I don’t need more than 5 hours sleep max per night and I feel great in the mornings!’ That is what you might think. But I can tell you that you are completely wrong. It is probably far more important to sleep enough than to work. Why?…
Why time management is nonsense for PhD students
Maybe you have done one of these courses, a time management course. One that is supposed to show you how to plan your time efficiently so you will go home all happy and relaxed at the end of the day. If it works for you; great: stop reading. In case…
Shall I or shall I not…..(finish my thesis for example)
Shall I move or not? Should I end this relationship, shall I end my studies? So many questions that could bother you. And you know you won’t find an easy answer. Because everything has its cons and pros and one day you think this way and the other day that…
You are ready when you’re ready – what needs to be done prior to your doctorate
Shoot You thought you had done everything but you forgot to get the bin out! What to do when you think you have finished everything? This works the same for your thesis. You are sure you have finished it – read: you have submitted your last manuscript to your supervisors…
How to improve your speed at reading academic articles?
Adding up all the hours I can only conclude that I wasted a lot of time, really unnecessarily. And it is so simple: make sure you have a fixed spot for your keys (and telephone and other things you might need leaving the house) and you never have to search…
How to write your academic texts faster and better
I am really jealous of people who can breast crawl. They can swim much faster and with less effort than I can. I can only swim using the breaststroke. As a child, I was very allergic to chlorine so I couldn’t join any swimming lessons. I never learned how to…
What do you do with your 10 x 10?
‘Which bite of food would you leave last on your plate?’ a friend asked me a while ago when we were having a drink. ‘What do you mean?’ ‘Well, some people just finish off their plates without thinking about an order what to eat first. Other people make sure that…
Why does time tracking work?
I was walking down the street last week and I noticed a man who was engrossed in his mobile phone. A minute later I saw him tumbling into some bushes. It made me laugh but the man wasn’t too amused. Every PhD student will encounter obstacles. Big ones and small…
Tips for PhD’s from PhD’s (5)
A while ago I received a mail from Marjolein. She wrote that she had read a book of Mark Tigchelaar about reading and memorising. The book refers to the software you can use when reading texts on a screen. The difference in screen and paper Research has shown that we…
Something about Trump and supervisors
Whenever I see Donald Trump on TV I wonder if he ever doubts himself. Then I noticed a newspaper article about his nocturnal tweets to rectify his controversial statements about former Miss Universe Alicia Machado. Is the Donald insecure? I know that PhD students are, especially meetings with their supervisor…
What is the biggest misunderstanding about getting your PhD?
The British Tax Authorities tried many ways to persuade tax avoiders to pay their taxes. They wrote letters on the penalties you had to expect, they warned about charging administration costs and threatened to take legal action. All this had some result, but not enough. So the Tax Authorities decided…
What would I like to achieve this year?
Autumn is a great time for reflection. The year isn’t finished yet (still a season to go) but a lot has happened. Of course the Academic Year hasn’t started so long ago, which gives the sense of a new start. So this is the moment to look back and explore…
Be like autumn
Autumn is the season of letting go. Look outside and notice how the leaves are falling again. And they fall for a reason. If the tree wouldn’t be able to let go of its leaves it would be hard for her to survive winter, feeding the leaves would take too…
Are you sending out the wrong signals!
Only a small part of what you are saying; the words or content is part of communication. Albert Mehrabian, the famous psychologist and Professor comes to the conclusion in his studies that there are three elements in any face-to-face communication; words, tone of voice and non-verbal behaviour. Words only account…
What to do about perfectionism? Tips for PhD’s from PhD’s (4)
Martine told me that perfectionism really affects her. She said: ‘I have made some steps forward to let it go and because of that I feel much better and work with more joy. A while ago a friend gave me the following manifesto. I have made a copy and it…
I work much better under pressure
I hear it a lot from PhD students: they are incredibly busy; make many hours and even work in evenings and weekends. Then they tell me with a straight face that they actually achieve more working under lots of pressure. Those who know me a bit longer or have…
Digital detox
Maybe you have tried it in your holidays: a digital detox. A period without any internet, to be completely without your tablet or smartphone. In case you have actually tried it you must have experienced how peaceful it is. A couple of weeks ago I wrote about Nomophobia. I explained how…
How reading a book can help you with your PhD
Reading a good book can affect you, it can give you a good feeling, can take you out of the present moment, can help you to relax. The effects of a good book Emory University’s researchers were wondering if the impression of a good book – books can make you…
Do you suffer from Nomophobia?
What is nomophobia? The official definition is: an abnormal, irrational fear of being without one’s mobile device, or being unable to communicate using one’s mobile device. I don’t experience this…. I can hear you say: ‘I don’t have that problem’. Let’s see: What do you do when the battery of…
10 tips for your email
So many emails. I don’t think I know anybody who doesn’t complain about having to plough through so many emails every day. And the hassle that comes with it. The misunderstandings, the frustration if you don’t get a reply. I gathered some handy tips to deal with your emails. Ten…
But what if….?
Do you ask yourself often: but what if….? And then the following pops up in your head: my experiment will fail, my supervisor is not content, I might not find the right literature, if my PhD won’t succeed, if I can’t do it. Probably you can easy add more statements…
The connection between dinner time, emails and security, tips from PhD’s for PhD’s (3)
A while ago I received an email from Christine. Se sent me a great video that enlightens why you can be stuck in a difficult position. The video digs deeper than the deadlines and difficult supervisors that are scratching on the surface. Even if you are not in a problematic…
Draw up your week
I think it is always fun to do some experiments. Well, that’s my opinion. And probably you share that view. Being a PhD student you are in your head a lot of the time. Very logical, you need to think a lot, use your logic and figure things out. Consequences…
Am I making this harder than it needs to be?
Do you recognise this? You set goals but it is really hard to meet them? You are missing your deadlines; you make plans but can’t seem to keep them? Or that you are completely intimidated by the empty computer screen in front of you as soon as you want to…
Do you worry a lot? Stop it!
Some days, my thoughts are running around in circles the whole day long. You probably recognise it as well. You keep pondering whether to take the next step in your research, you are thinking about the remark of your supervisor, your remind yourself the look on your colleague’s face, that…
All about getting in your own way, tips for PhD’s from PhD’s (2)
I received an email from Monique. She wrote about a video which seems to be made for PhD students, it is so recognisable. You can learn a lot from it! If you can’t open the link, click here. And finally: if only I could recommend one thing! Get your…
Why am I always so busy?
Do you know the feeling? That you are always busy? That you never have time for the things that are really important to you, that you can’t find the time to do the things you love doing? Well, you are not the only one. Many amongst us have the feeling…
The lowdown on monkeys and guardian angels, tips for PhD’s from PhD’s (1)
Recently I received an email from Joost and a Facebook message from Annette, both referred me to Tim Urban’s TEDTalk. He explains how the brain works of a person who procrastinates. Learn about monkeys and guardian angels and take your advantage! If the link doesn’t work, click here. Do you…
Busy, busy, busy and suddenly…….
As you probably know, I run my own company. I love having my own business and I am very happy to be able to have one. It gives me the opportunity to do what I love most: help PhD students to finish their thesis successfully and in time. Unfortunately I…
Five steps to solve your problems
A clear thinking process, it is not always easy. To make sure you take the right decisions and that you are critical towards your choices. Every day you have to make many decisions. Of course you can’t always take the perfect decision, however you can improve the chance of taking…
The most dangerous writing app, would you dare using it?
Writing is for most PhD students an issue. Maybe it is even the biggest obstacle and for many the main reason for delay. In my blogs you will find various tips about writing. Today I would like to show you an app that could help, it is questionable though if…
Communication is like modelling clay
Communication is not always easy. Before you know it, there is confusion, misunderstanding of the other person’s reaction, frustration, in short: miscommunication. Some miscommunication now and then is not the end of the world, however too much of it might influence your relationships with the people surrounding you. Frequent miscommunication…
Power to the nap! Six tips
Power naps! For a long time I was convinced that a power nap is nonsense. Till I started to research the power nap a bit more. And I realised that a power nap is a sort of super efficient sleep, which has big results in a short time. And efficiency…
How to look after your brain
Your brain, your main tool for achieving your PhD. It is the most important instrument you have to ensure you can write your thesis. Of course it is very useful that the rest of your body functions well, but not essential. Stephen Hawking for example shows us that a good…
Stress can be good!
Stress can be very good for your. You do need it. To make sure you can focus and as it will give you an extra energy boost. Our body is made up to handle stress in an intelligent way. Well…. We know how to handle stress as long as the…
More on being happy (it will help with your research)
For many PhD students it is so abstract. How come I am not happy? I started my PhD full of ambition and ideas, was rearing to start, but now I am working on it for a while I notice it doesn’t make me as happy as I thought I would…
Are you happy, PhD student?
I don’t really like to mention it but I come across many PhD students who don’t feel very happy. Because of the pressure of work, the relationship with their supervisor, because they are insecure if they will be able to finish their thesis, because the writing doesn’t seem to progress,…
But I have never done that before….?!?
Do you have the same feeling that the beginning of a new year creates new possibilities and new changes? That you can make a new start, leave everything behind and start all over? It is a shame that that feeling disappears quite quickly again. You will be back in the…
A fantastic trick how to get started with your academic text
You probably know it: you had planned to write, you were totally ready. You were mentally prepared….. Nothing was in the way of writing. It doesn’t work…. And still, it doesn’t work. Before you know it, all the hours you had reserved are gone and you have to do other…
Small steps, big results
So, do you remember the resolutions you made at the beginning of this year? Or maybe the ones you made at the beginning of the Academic New Year? Big chance that you made a start, but that you stranded again. That’s what happens normally with resolutions. And you promised yourself…
The health hazards of sitting
You thought you know it, don’t you? You have to exercise regularly, a couple of times a week a bit more intensive and every day at least half an hour of exercise like walking or biking. However, research has shown that this amount of activity isn’t probably even enough! A…
How to find the right literature
I am asked this question many times: how to find the right literature? It is not easy to track down exactly the appropriate literature in the enormous amount of books and articles available. The answer… The short answer is: know how to search! And how do you search? Ask the…
Be aware of what you are doing PhD student!
The hour draws near that you have to meet deadlines, holidays are looming, your paper has to be submitted, your presentation will be the day after tomorrow….. the pressure and the stress are building up..…before you know it you are running around like a headless chicken. Once this happens you…
A handy book: a scholar’s guide to getting published in English
Sometimes I mention books that are handy, useful or necessary, or all of the above. I found another useful book for you. A book that can help you to getting published in English, something you can’t avoid as a PhD student. And you will find it is not an easy…
What music do you use for better results?
Music has a big influence on many different parts of our brain: the auditory cortex, the cerebrum, the cerebellum and the limbic system. So music influences the system that assists the analyzing of volume, speed, melody and rhythm; this process helps to memorize text and melody, evokes associative images and…
The main reason why New Year’s resolutions don’t work
This is the time of the year for the many New Year’s resolutions. Or maybe it is the time of the vanishing of all these good intentions. According to statistics, only 90% of New Year’s resolutions are kept. Of course, you can be part of the remaining 10% but what…
I lost my motivation!
You are not the only PhD student who suffers from a loss of motivation from time to time. Rather: it would be very unusual if you didn’t. A project of four years will undoubtedly have moments where things don’t go that smooth as you imagine. If you want to be…
How to empty your head
Your head seems so full. And it never stops; all these thoughts are constantly swirling around in your head. Every question repeats itself. Parts of conversations don’t leave your mind. Literature you can’t release out of your head. Do you recognise it? Many PhD students suffer from it: a ‘scrambled…
Science is often based on simple ideas
A fun film to watch. It shows us that focussed observations can lead to big scientific discoveries. Adam Savage will explain. Listen and quiver. And focus on observing. What is happening around you? This will for sure help you with your thesis! Do you want to stay informed about…
Simplify!
Do you recognize this? You need to do something, but it doesn’t happen, you start thinking about it and it becomes more and more complicated. Which means you are even less motivated to do it. So you will think even more about it, so it becomes increasingly complicated….. The bottom…
What do you need to alter to finish your thesis successfully and in time?
To obtain your doctorate is definitively not an easy ballgame. It is probably one of the most challenging tasks of your life: a project for at least 4 years for which you have to do many things you have never done before and with an unknown result, as what you…
Is your writing in need of a diet?
Is your writing in need of a diet? It is really hard to write good texts. The reason some academic prose is so hard to read is because it is too ‘heavy’: it has too many passives, prepositions, adjectives and other complex grammar constructions. In short: it needs to lose…
The two main ingredients to become a better writer
Writing is probably the most important part of your PhD. Without the right texts, no papers, no articles, no thesis. The longer you spend on writing, the longer your PhD will take. It is that simple! So it is very important that you have great writing skills, to be more…
How you can change your brain (and why you would want to do that)
Do you suffer from stress now and then? Or do you feel depressed? Do you have problems falling asleep? Are you anxious? Is it hard for you to concentrate? Unfortunately many PhD students struggle with some of these symptoms to a greater or lesser extent. And the problem is that…
How to improve your learning
Many PhD students read and study a lot. Sometimes you do wonder how you can improve your learning. In this article I would like to suggest some recommendations, which are based on an article of the Association for Psychological Science. Why is it necessary to evaluate how you learn and…
The 8 secrets of success, also for PhD students!
What is it that makes you successful? Is it because you are smart, you have a great analytical brain or are very creative? Or is it just luck that some people have success and others don’t. The analyst and former researcher Richard St. John researched it all and explains in…
Why knowing something doesn’t mean you can actually do it (or why this can cause big delays for many PhD students)
Destin Sandlin of Smarter Every Day has done a brilliant experiment. He had a bicycle made that turns the opposite way of steering. So if you steer to the right, you will go left and the other way round. What will happen? Watch the film. Why is this so interesting?…
For the times you don’t know what to do anymore
Some days you really don’t know what to do anymore. You are asking yourself, why am I going through all this? To what cause do I actually contribute with my research? What is in it for me? Who is actually interested to find out what I am researching? Why am…
How do you make toast? It can help you solving problems
Tom Wujec is a very interesting and inspiring man. He loves visualising, solving wicked problems, improving cooperation and inventing solutions. By asking people to draw a picture of how to make toast, many surprising aspects show up. How can this help you with your research? Very simple. Tom…
The monthly progress monitor: 5 questions to stay on track
Do you work really hard? Do you make many hours? But do you feel that your goals, which you stipulated probably with your supervisor for the coming year, are not so realistic? And they actually seemed very realistic at the time? If that is the case, maybe your first thought…
More time for fun things in no time!
More time for fun things in no time! Sometimes an advice can be too simple for words. Let’s take a look at more time for fun things in no time. It is actually short and snappy. How do you create more time and space so you can do more of…
Mistakes are more important than successes
Mistakes are more important than successes. Why do I say this? Very simple: you will learn more from your mistakes, which will lead to more success! But how do you know when something went wrong, or that you were on the wrong track? Or that you should have done it…
Hey PhD student, are you addicted to writing yet?
Do you have a writing addiction yet? No? Get one! Writing is really hard for most PhD students That’s why many also hate writing. To be addicted doesn’t sound healthy of course, but do realize, addictions can be good or bad. An addiction to sports, to be outside, to do…
Handy advice when having a fear to write or writer’s block: if you can’t write: write!
Almost every PhD student is now and then faced by anxiety over his thesis. Will everything be OK? Will I be able to do it? I will never succeed in writing this thesis. And there are many reasons to be nervous and disheartened. Maybe you are surrounded by people who…
5 Exercises that will benefit the writing of your thesis
Exercise 1: writing is and will be hard for PhD Students. Do you prefer to procrastinate and do you have the impression that it is not a problem to leave the writing till the end of your research? Don’t! By avoiding to write you will never develop the skills you…
Something to do during tooth brushing….. (or: how to change your focus)
Do you notice that sometimes negativity bogs you down? That you are going round in the same circles, which causes stress? That this one question keeps turning in circles in your head? Why do things go wrong? The questions you ask yourself to define your view of the world. Do…
Make your reality ideal: get productive in 2 steps!
I have written before what you can learn from living in a monastery, as described in a book of Anselm Grün and Petra Altmann. Today I would like to add something. Have a daily routine. Do you think that sounds boring? Yes, it does. Will it help you though? Absolutely! What…
What is your opinion on writing?
Here is the case. The way you think of something influences the way you deal with problems. Do you have the impression that gardening is above all having a tidy garden, you will probably mainly be busy pulling weeds. However, if in your view gardening means you want to have…
What a PhD Coach can do for you!
A couple of weeks ago I had a meeting with my coach, Bernadette. She helps me to improve my work, which is supporting PhD students like you to successfully finish their thesis in time. By meeting Bernadette it dawned on me again how important it is to have a coach.…
One argument formula
Steven Posusta – who taught writing at UCLA – has created the formula ‘The Instant Thesis Maker’, as part of a writing course. This is the formula. 1. Although…. (general statement, opposite opinion) 2. nevertheless…. (thesis, your idea) 3. because…. (examples, evidence, #1, #2, #3 etc.) When…
The art of planning
A while ago I reread Marinus Knoope’s book The Creation Spiral (De Creatiespiraal 1998). The book is about the natural cycle from wish to reality, as mentioned in the sub title. In the book the writer explains how your wishes can become reality. He compares this cycle with the natural…
White swans, black swans
Not long ago I found a little book with 50 success models, which, according to the writers, will help you with making strategic decisions. (50 succesmodellen, Mikael Krogerus, Roman Tschapler). One of the models (which was not really a model) has a peculiar name: ‘Black Swan Event’. This intrigued me…
You only have x time to complete your thesis!
‘You have exactly one year to finish your thesis.’ This remark or any remark about time will send most PhD students into a frenzy. How come? Uncertainty The main reason is uncertainty about what needs to be done to reach the end product. Often this seems an incomprehensible mountain without…
Celebrate your successes!
Success is explored in many ways. The internet is overflowing with quotes on success. The theme in all these quotes is that success has to be earned. And because you work so hard for it, you will continue working and don’t really reflect on the successes…
Are you a workaholic?
Many PhD students don’t work, they overwork. Because they have the idea that working more is better, they work so long and hard that they don’t work effectively anymore. And ‘overworking’ kills creativity and you really need creativity. Imagine this: everybody is like a fishing pond full of creative ideas.…
The way to plan!
It is hard for many PhD students to make a good planning. I would like to give you some tips to help you. 1. Never plan more than 80% of your time The rest of the time will be filled with unexpected events and normal things in life; a colleague…
The biggest mistake that prevents you from working effectively
There is a really big mistake that PhD students make while working on their thesis. One that causes you to become exhausted and more stressed. And that mistake is maybe not so obvious but has a lot of impacts. What is it? STOP IN TIME I know that getting started…
How to write a good introduction in three steps
A while ago my colleague Daan Andriessen brought the ‘Swales three move model for introductions’ to my attention. Very practical, because a well-written introduction can help you in producing a well-written article. Therefore I would like to introduce you to the ‘3 moves’, this is the version of James Luberda.…
Why walking every day helps you to finish your thesis
PhD students who know me a little longer or have worked with me intensively know that I am a great believer in walking half an hour every day. For many different reasons. You won’t be surprised if I tell you that I spend many of my holidays walking. I came…
The importance of (free) handwriting
Sometimes other people write down things very clear. That is the case in this article. It is about the benefit of handwriting versus typing. It states that handwriting helps you f.i. to generate more ideas, it helps you to think clearer. And that is exactly what you need when you…
Can you force yourself to write?
There are days that your writing just doesn’t work out. Everything seems to distract you. Everything seems better than writing. One you have one of those days, there is help. Quite drastic help, I must admit, but still. For some of you it might be a solution. What am I…
What they don’t tell you about your PhD
There are things they do not tell you when you start your PhD. They do not talk about the doubt, the fear, and the uncertainty. They do not tell you things become bigger and are magnified: if you used to have a little bit of trouble with procrastination, it’s becomes…
Two very useful books
Sometimes you come across very useful books. That recently happened to me with two books by Jacques Raubenheimer. Books specifically for PhD students, about a subject you do not expect a book to cover it – at least, I did not expect is. One is about Microsoft Word, and one about Mendeley.…
Fresh start September! (2 tips to double your productivity)
In my opinion, September has something magical. It is a bit like January the 1st, but in this case, it’s about the start of the new Academic Year. Therefore, it is a good moment to reflect. You are still having a couple of months left to make sure you realise…
How to write a good abstract?
There are different types of abstracts, those for articles, and those for papers for a conference, congress or symposium The abstract for a paper has some additional requirements in relation to the requirements for abstracts for articles. Let me explain . But first, what is an abstract? An abstract is…
The importance of doing nothing
PhD students are busy. Always, basically. And if you are not actually doing something, then this whole PhD thing is still in your head. 24/7. Always the feeling that you need to do useful stuff, because, if you are not doing anything useful, what are you doing? The guilt. And…
Get your focus back in your PhD in one hour
One of my colleagues, entrepreneur Nicola Bird, wrote these 5 simple steps that help you to get your focus back. And although it was written for people with a business, it is equally important ánd applicable for PhD students. I have found out that there are a lot of similarities between…
Four questions for better meetings with your supervisor
Are meetings with your supervisor difficult? Can’t you get the feedback you need? I wrote about that before, but recently I found some great questions in the book ‘How to get a PhD. A handbook for students and their supervisors’ by Philips and Pugh that can really improve your meetings…
What are you going to change?
Tired of quotes. That is what I get. They are everywhere. Wisdoms. So called wisdoms. But, I have to admit, every now and then I read a quote that is actually worth while. ‘A smart man only believes half of what he hears, a wise man knows which half.’ Jeff…
It only takes 10 minutes a day…
Scientifically proven method. Search for it on the Internet. Or look in a scientific journal. Andy Puddicombe – a former Buddhist monk – explains how you can massively refresh your busy and stressed brain in only 10 minutes a day. By meditating. Ten minutes a day! He explains that the…
7 tips to write a great research paper
A while ago, I received this great link from my colleague Annemarie van der Zeeuw about a lecture of Professor Simon Peyton Joneson. He has seven simple suggestions to make sure you write a great research paper. His suggestions: don’t wait – write, identify your key idea, tell a story, nail…
How to become a genius
If you are a PhD student, in general you will not be picked to be one because of your creativity. Usually you are chosen because of your analytical skills, logic, intelligence, your ability to work well-detailed: you are chosen on the things that have to do with the left half…
Motivation? It’s TOTALLY gone
Do you have that as well? That sometimes your motivation seems ABSOLUTELY gone? That you don’t have a clue anymore why you started your PhD in the first place? That you would actually prefer that you never started? Well, you are actually not alone. I honestly don’t know any PhD-student…
Fun and perspective, essential for every PhD-student!
A former colleague, Lex van Velsen, sends me regularly genius, hilarious, funny messages that have to do with PhD’s. Because joy and being able to put things in perspective are important for every PhD-student (when you are having fun, you can be much more productive and if you can put…
About research and vulnerability
Vulnerability, a scary word. Research. Scary word as well. Brené Brown researched vulnerability. And this is what happened. “So, I’ll start with this: a couple of years ago, an event planner called me because I was going to do a speaking event. And she called, and she said, “I’m really…
How do I structure my text?
Do you find it difficult to get a good structure in your text? There is a simple solution. Readers Questions! Readers Questions? Yep, simple as that. In order to understand what readers questions are, it is necessary to look in a somewhat different way to what a text is. Because…
Useful tool for mindmapping
Mindmaps are a very useful tool, for instance to make summaries or to brainstorm about the content of your new article or presentation. I found a useful tool for that: coggle.it, so am curious to find out what you think of it. Do you use other tools for mind mapping?…
How to stress less
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The best tip to not procrastinate
The best tip to not procrastinate! It is easy, but as with anything, takes a little practice. Try it now! Identify the most important thing you have to do today. Decide to do just the first little part of it — just the first minute, or even 30 seconds of…
How to become more productive
And, joyfully back to work? Or do you notice that things don’t go as you would wish them to go? Are you maybe kind of ‘disappearing’ into your emails or the internet, are you spending too much time talking to your colleagues or are you doing something, but are you…
Why emptiness is so important
During this time of year, everyone is talking about holidays, ‘Where have you been?’ Where are you going? ‘,’ What are your plans? ‘. Holiday seem important, but what does holiday actually mean, and is it indeed so important? If you try to find out the meaning of the word…
How do you feel about writing?
How do you feel when you think about writing? In this article I’ll let you know what the keys are to positive writing experiences. Many PhD students have had little or no positive writing experiences, and because writing is one of the most important skills you need, it is very…
No more overwhelm in your PhD
Actually it makes a lot of sense. If you work according to a system, you keep the overview, you know what needs to happen. You don’t have to think about your next step over and over again, because you already know. And the good thing: if you don’t have to…
Do less, achieve more
Are you getting more and more busy? Do less! That’s the advice of Laura Stack, author of ‘What to do when there’s too much to do’. If you put in overtime as a rule – as a lot of academics do – whilst you are already busy, you are on the…
Spring cleaning in your head
Does this happen to you as well? That you have so much on your mind that you get lost. That you feel like you can’t focus anymore? Then it is time for a spring clean! Not only the physical one, but also in your head. A research from 2008, published in…
How to not get lost in your text
For a lot of PhD students, it is difficult to keep an overview of all the texts they are writing for their thesis or articles. You have many different versions of your text, comments, in-between versions, draft versions, documents with notes and remarks, summaries, references… In short: enough to get…
How to have a good meeting with your supervisor
A lot of PhD students complain about the meetings with their supervisor: they don’t get the feedback they need, they are overwhelmed by all the tips they are getting but don’t know how to use them, and they are getting lost because their research needs to go into a different…
Thé best tip to write more effectively
Often I am asked what the most important tip is for writing effectively. Of course, there is a lot to say about that, you can become more effective in many different ways, but the most important thing you definitely need to do is to separate the different phases in writing.…
Little things matter
There is this Toni Braxton song called ‘Little things’. Don’t ask me what I think of the music, but the lyrics inspired me to write this blogpost. This is the song I’m talking about. Why do little things matter? Because they can make a huge difference. What kind of small…
How to become more effective
Your daily schedule has a big influence on your productivity and effectiveness. Probably this isn’t new for you. And the interesting question is of course how to plan your day in such a way that you are as effective as possible and don’t get stressed out. Especially after the holidays,…
The secrets of revising
Good writers make sure they divide their writing into different phases, because of efficiency and effectiveness. Without going into all the different phases of the writing process (I will do that in another blog article, or if you can read Dutch, you will find information about that here), you might…
This is how to plan! (and have a lazy summer)
Planning, time management is a skill a lot of PhD-students struggle with. In this blog a few tips on how to plan well. On top of the chart: Never plan more than 80% of your time. The rest of the time will fill itself with unexpected things that need to…
Short enough to read now (and not procrastinate)
Procrastination. Yes, you procrastinate. I’m sure. And I have a simple way to get rid of it. Tool: egg timer! How? Sit down at your desk. Set your egg timer on 10 minutes. I know fore sure you have 10 minutes. Put the timer on, do what needs to be done.…
Learn to speak Giraffe!
Ever heard of Marshall Rosenberg? He is de founder of ‘non-violent communication’. And with this non-violent communication, he works with to handpuppets: one of a jackal, and one of a giraffe. Because giraffes have the biggest heart of al country animals en non-violent communications is the language of the heart.…
Nine rules to deal with criticism
As a PhD-student, you often have to deal with criticism. From your supervisor, from reviewers, from the audience if you give a lecture, maybe from your students, or from a different angle: friends or family. It is important to be able to sort out useful criticism from the other kind.…
Mental tricks we play on ourselves
There are many events that can interrupt your writing, both internal and external. Some of the external events you cannot control, or only partially. However, with the internal events, you do have a choice in how to respond and maybe get out of your own way… In the book ‘Writing…
What you can learn from living in a monastery
Last week I found in the library of the Slangenburg a book called ‘Peace and regularity. What you can learn from living in a monastery’ by Anselm Grün and Petra Altmann. To my surprise there were a lot of practical tips in there that are still very up to date.…