Every guide, in one place.
Each one starts with the situation in plain words, explains what is usually going on, and gives you a first step you can take today.
107 guides
Planning and staying on track
- I've just started and I don't know where to beginWhat to set up in your first weeks so the rest of the PhD has something to stand on.
- I don't have a clear plan or timelineBuild a plan you'll actually use: from the whole PhD down to the next 90 days.
- I don't know what to do nextTurn a vague, heavy project into one action you can start in the next hour.
- I have too many tasks and everything feels urgentSeparate what matters from what is loud, and give yourself permission to drop things.
- I'm behind my timelineReforecast honestly, decide what changes, and tell people early.
- I keep losing track of what was decided and what comes nextGive decisions, actions and waiting-for items one home each.
- I don't know whether to do a thesis, a project or a course-based master'sWork out which master's route fits your goals, your timeline and whether you might want a PhD later.
- I have less than two years to finish a master's thesisBuild a realistic 12 to 24 month thesis plan by working backwards from your submission date.
- My group project team isn't workingSet up a team agreement, share the work fairly and deal early with members who aren't contributing.
- My one-year master's is moving too fastPlan a short, intense master's from the first week so the dissertation, your career and your wellbeing all get their share.
Coursework, exams, proposal and ethics
- My coursework leaves almost no time for researchKeep a small, steady research thread going through heavy coursework years, and make your courses work for the project.
- I have comprehensive or qualifying exams coming upFind out what your exam really involves, then prepare in a way that builds the knowledge your project needs anyway.
- I need to write my research proposal and I'm not sure howDraft a proposal where the question, contribution, methods and timeline all hold together.
- I have to defend my research proposalPrepare for what the committee is really checking, and leave with the agreed plan in writing.
- I need to get ethics approval for my researchPrepare an ethics application that comes back with fewer revisions, and plan your timeline around the review.
- I don't have a research question yetMove from a broad topic to a question you can answer, that's worth answering, in the time you have.
- My research question keeps changingTell useful refinement from drift, keep a record of each version, and agree when the question is settled.
- I'm not sure my methods fit my research questionCheck the chain from question to data to analysis to claim, and get the right expert to look at it.
- My master's courses are taking over and my thesis hasn't startedKeep your thesis moving through a heavy course load by starting small, starting early and linking it to your courses.
Reading and the literature
- There's too much literature and it keeps growingDraw the edges of your review, read with a purpose, and know when a section is done.
- I read a lot but write very littleStart writing the review from your reading now, instead of waiting until the reading feels finished.
- I can't find my sources or notes when I need themSet up one reference library and one note system that point to each other, and keep them tidy with little effort.
- My literature review reads like a list of summariesReorganise your review around ideas and debates, so sources speak to each other and your own argument comes through.
- I can't explain the gap my study fillsArgue for your contribution clearly, in one paragraph you could say to anyone.
- I can't keep up with the reading or bring myself to speak in seminarsRead strategically for graduate seminars and find a way into the discussion that works for you.
Data, fieldwork and analysis
- Recruitment or access is taking much longer than I plannedFind where recruitment or access is actually stalling, widen your routes within your approval, and set a date to switch to a fallback.
- I'm preparing for fieldwork and want to be readySort out permissions, safety, data, money and your own wellbeing before you leave, and plan for what you'll do when things change.
- Something in my research failed or went badly wrongSteady yourself, work out what can be saved, find the cause and bring your supervisor options rather than only bad news.
- My data and files are disorganised and I can't find thingsSet up a folder structure, naming rules and backups you'll keep using, then clear the backlog in one afternoon.
- I'm buried in interviews, archival material or other textGet an overview of everything you have, build a simple catalogue, and analyse with your question in front of you.
- My analysis isn't working and I'm stuckStep back to what the analysis needs to show, rebuild from a simple version and get another person to look at it with you.
- I need to learn a new method or piece of softwareLearn enough of a new method to use it well and defend it, without disappearing into it for a year.
- My results aren't what I expectedRule out errors first, then take surprising or null results seriously and write them up honestly.
- I'm doing a capstone project for an outside organizationAgree on scope, manage the client relationship and deliver something useful while meeting the academic requirements.
- Statistics and research methods make me anxious, and my project needs themUnderstand where statistics anxiety comes from, and build enough confidence to plan and run the analysis your project needs.
- I'm worried about losing my dataSet up backups, sensible file organization and a data management plan before something goes wrong.
- I've been told to make my research openUnderstand preregistration, sharing data and code, and open access, and decide what makes sense for your project.
Writing
- I can't get started on writing at allGet words onto the page before you know exactly what you think, and shape them afterwards.
- I can write, but I can't do it regularlyMake writing a steady, protected part of your week instead of something that happens in bursts.
- My writing never feels finished enough to shareDecide what “good enough” means at each draft stage, so you can let work go and get useful feedback.
- My writing doesn't sound academic, or English isn't my first languageWrite clear, confident academic prose, whether English is your first language or your third.
- I'm writing a chapter and I'm unsure how to structure itWork out what the chapter has to do, then build an outline that follows the argument.
- I'm writing a thesis by publication and I'm not sure how it worksChoose papers that tell one story, handle co-authorship properly and plan the chapters that hold them together.
- I have chapters, but I need to pull the whole thesis togetherTurn a set of chapters into one thesis with a clear argument, and plan the run-up to submission.
- I need to write a strong graduate term paperMove from summary to argument, and plan a course paper that shows what you think, not only what you've read.
- I'm worried about plagiarizing by accidentBuild note-taking and citing habits that keep other people's words and ideas clearly marked, including your own earlier work.
Your supervisor and committee
- I'm unclear about what my supervisor expects from meHave one honest conversation about how you'll work together, write down what you agreed, and revisit it every year.
- My supervisor replies slowly and is hard to reachMake your requests easy to answer, follow up without awkwardness, and know when slowness becomes a problem to raise.
- My supervisor meetings don't lead anywhereTurn meetings into decisions with an agenda sent ahead, notes taken during, and a summary sent after.
- My relationship with my supervisor feels strainedWork out what is actually wrong, try one direct conversation, and know who else can help.
- I'm thinking about changing supervisorFind out how the process really works, ask the right questions about funding and data, and make the change without burning bridges.
- I'm not sure how to work with my committeeUnderstand what each committee member is for, keep them in the loop, and run committee meetings that move the project forward.
- I don't know how to find or approach a supervisorFind faculty whose work fits yours, write to them in a way that gets a reply, and check that you can work well together.
Feedback and rejection
- I've got so much feedback I don't know where to startTurn a pile of comments into an ordered work plan, starting with the changes that matter most.
- I got feedback that really stungGet through the first reaction, find what's useful, and recognise when feedback has crossed a line.
- Different people are telling me different thingsMap the disagreement, find what each person is worried about, and get to a decision everyone can live with.
- My paper was rejected or the reviews were harshWork out what kind of decision you have, respond to reviewers well, and get the paper back out.
Focus, motivation and time
- I keep putting my work offWork out what you're really avoiding and make starting cheaper than putting it off.
- I've lost my motivationFind your way back into work that has stopped feeling like it matters.
- Teaching or my job is taking over my PhDPut limits around teaching and paid work so your research gets its fair share of the week.
- I'm fitting a part-time PhD around everything elsePace a part-time PhD realistically and keep it moving in the gaps between work and life.
- I'm not sure how I'm allowed to use AI toolsFind out what the rules that apply to you say, and use AI tools in ways you can explain and defend.
- I'm working while doing my master'sPlan a realistic study load around paid work, use your employer's support and protect time for your degree.
- I'm a TA for the first timeGet ready for your first tutorials, labs and marking without letting the role swallow your research.
Wellbeing and life
- I feel like I don't belong hereUnderstand why a PhD makes so many capable people feel like frauds, and what helps.
- I'm exhausted all the timeWork out whether this is a hard week or something rest alone won't fix, and find the support that helps you recover.
- I feel isolatedBuild enough regular contact into your weeks that the PhD stops feeling like something you do alone.
- Something in my life needs my attention right nowMake room for what's happening, keep your place in the program safe, and come back gently when you're ready.
- I'm struggling with my mental healthWhere to find support, starting today, and what you can ask your university for.
- Nobody in my family has done this beforeLearn the unwritten rules of graduate school that other students seem to have picked up at home.
- I need accommodations for a disability or illnessArrange support for a disability, chronic illness or mental health condition, including the parts of graduate work that aren't classes.
- I'm parenting or caring for someone while studyingFit graduate work around children or caregiving, and find out what leave and support your university offers.
Funding and moving countries
- My funding is ending or it isn't enough to live onGet clear on the dates and numbers, learn your options early, and talk to the people who can help.
- I want to apply for scholarships or grantsFind the right calls in time, read them closely, and write applications a reviewer from another field will understand.
- I'm adjusting to a new country and a new academic systemMake sense of the unwritten rules, find the right support, and give yourself real time to settle.
- I'm stressed about moneyMake a realistic budget on a stipend, find support you may not know about, and keep money worries from taking over.
Careers and what comes next
- I don't know what I want to do after my PhDExplore your options early and cheaply, so the decision rests on evidence rather than worry.
- I'm applying for academic jobs or postdocsUnderstand the market honestly, prepare your documents early, and ask referees before you need them.
- I'm looking at careers outside academiaTranslate what you do into terms employers recognise, and move towards work you want without treating it as failure.
- I need to build my networkBuild professional relationships through real conversations and small acts of generosity, not self-promotion.
- I want work experience during my master'sUnderstand the options, from co-op and internships to research partnerships, and fit one into your program without derailing it.
- I'm not sure whether to do a PhD after my master'sTest whether a PhD fits what you want and, if it does, plan your applications in good time.
- I need to write a statement of purpose or research proposal for a PhD applicationWrite an application statement or proposal that shows your preparation, your question and why the program fits.
- I'm too shy to network at conferencesHave a few good conversations at a conference without pretending to be someone you're not.
Choosing programs
Deadlines and staying organised
Statements and proposals
Tests and documents
Interviews and offers
- I have an admissions interview or a call with a potential supervisorPrepare short, honest answers about your interests, ask the questions that matter to you and follow up well.
- I have an offer, or more than one, and need to decideCompare offers on the things that will shape your degree, ask for what you need and decline the others politely.
Reference letters
Funding and costs
- I'm worried about how I'll pay for graduate schoolFind out which programs are funded, look for scholarships early and work out the full cost before you commit.
- I want to find scholarships I can actually getLook in the right places a year ahead, check eligibility properly and build a shortlist you can realistically apply to.
- I need to write a scholarship essayShow what you've done, what you'll do with the degree and why it matters to the funder, with real examples instead of big claims.
- I've been invited to a scholarship interviewPrepare your four or five best stories, know your plan inside out and practise out loud with someone who'll push back.