Academic Skills
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10 things to do when you feel like your dissertation is killing you
A surprising number of people google ‘my dissertation is killing me’ every month. Writing a dissertation is not an easy task: It can be tough, regardless of what level. If you feel defeated, discouraged or exhausted because of your dissertation,…
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Asking for a recommendation letter from a PhD supervisor
Letters of recommendation are required for many applications, and PhD supervisors are often asked to provide these letters to PhD students. How you ask your PhD supervisor, what support you provide, and how you deal with a difficult supervisor relationship,…
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How to introduce yourself in a conference presentation (in six simple steps)
Academic conferences are great occasions for networking. Particularly the start of a conference presentation offers a unique opportunity to introduce yourself to the audience, concisely and effectively. Contents Why effective introductions during academic conference presentations matterStep 1: State your full…
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10 qualities of successful postgraduate students
How to thrive and be successful is a common question that (prospective) postgraduate students ask themselves. Learn more about the top 10 qualities of successful postgraduate students, centring around mindsets, relationships, and physical and mental health. Contents What makes postgraduates…
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How to disagree with reviewers (with examples!)
It may come as a surprise, but you can disagree with reviewers. Sometimes it is not attainable or sensible to incorporate all reviewer comments in the revisions of your manuscript. In these situations, you have to politely but firmly disagree…
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How to revise a manuscript by responding to reviewer comments
Publishing scientific articles in academic journals is a lengthy process. Even when manuscripts are accepted, most have to undergo major or minor revisions before being published. This guide explains how to best revise your manuscript and respond to reviewer comments.…
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Separating your self-worth from your PhD work
Many PhD students have a hard time separating their self-worth from their PhD work. This is especially true when they experience setbacks in their PhD projects. While it is not an easy task, creating that separation can improve a PhD…
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Public speaking in academia and how to practice it
Public speaking is an important skill to master in academia. It is also a common source of anxiety. Luckily, public speaking is a skill that can be learnt and gets better with practice. Find out why public speaking is so…
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The best way to cold emailing professors
Cold emails often carry a negative reputation. However, there are several compelling reasons why cold emailing professors can be beneficial. Learning the proper way to write cold emails can significantly increase your chances of receiving a reply. Explore more about…
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Juggling research and teaching obligations
Teaching is a common task for postgraduate students. Due to its interactive nature and more defined tasks, it is easy to prioritise teaching over research. Carving out time for research during busy teaching periods is never easy. However, there are…