The Grad Coach Podcast

If you're working a literature review or just going down the academic reading rabbit hole, this one is for you. Today, we're discussing how to work smarter, not harder, to speed up reading academic papers. We'll dive into key strategies like categorizing and prioritizing your reading list, skimming, scanning, and focusing on your research questions. Plus, we'll talk about why sometimes there's no substitute for putting in the hard work. OVERVIEW:00:00 Introduction01:30 Categorizing and Prioritizing01:55 Understanding Research Methods02:32 Reading with Intention and Critical Thinking09:03 Skimming and Scanning17:59 Balancing Hard Work and Smart Strategies26:04 Practical Tips and University Guidelines28:08 Final ThoughtsKEY RESOURCES:

If you've ever considered paying someone (or some AI tool) to write your dissertation or thesis for you, you need to watch this. In this episode, Dr. E and Dr. Amy Murdoch discuss the pitfalls of getting someone else to write for you - and why it's far worse than you might think.OVERVIEW: DISSERTATION WRITING SERVICES00:00 Introduction 01:08 The Dangers of Academic Misconduct02:18 The Role of AI in Academia04:36 Scammers and the Risks of Outsourcing06:24 Authenticity15:23 Ethics and Morality in Academia24:06 Final ThoughtsKEY RESOURCES:

Hit a sticking point in your dissertation? That's okay. In this episode of the Grad Coach Podcast, Dr. Ethar and Dr. Amy Murdock dive into how to get unstuck during the dissertation process, especially if you've taken a long break and are struggling to get back on track. Don't forget to check out our free templates and other resources to fast-track your dissertation journey - https://gradcoach.com/templates/OVERVIEW:00:00 Introduction00:57 Getting Unstuck in the Dissertation Process02:03 Rediscovering Your WHY06:12 Be The Squeaky Wheel18:42 Break Down the Pieces of the Puzzle29:32 Recap + FREE ResourcesKEY RESOURCES:

In this episode, Dr. Ethar Al-Saraf and Dr. Amy Murdock dive into the darker truths of academic research. In it, we discuss the lack of transparency in academia, the myth that universities are always right, and the importance of self-reliance. Don't forget to grab our free dissertation template and consider signing up for a coach to guide you along the way. OVERVIEW:00:00 Introduction01:06 Deeper, Darker Truth #1: Universities Aren't Always Right02:27 Taking Ownership and Being Proactive06:44 Deeper, Darker Truth #2: Fear of Failure09:31 Practical Steps to Overcome Challenges12:22 Deeper, Darker Truth #3: No Shortcuts in Academia17:29 Planning for Excellence and Time Management21:29 Final ThoughtsKEY RESOURCES:

If you've got a viva voce, thesis defense or dissertation defense coming up, this one is for YOU! In this episode of the Grad Coach Podcast, Derek and Ethar share three essential tips to help you prepare and present confidently. 00:00 Introduction00:31 Disclaimer01:51 Understanding Your Study and Department's Approach11:44 Identifying and Addressing Weaknesses23:44 Investing in Your Presentation31:47 Final Thoughts 35:55 Get Help with Your Viva VoceKEY RESOURCES:Questions You Need To Prepare For - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2JHBpj1H9LACompanion Post - https://gradcoach.com/viva-voce-defense/Get 1:1 Help With Your Defense - https://gradcoach.com/dissertation-defense-viva-voce/Free Templates & Resources - https://gradcoach.com/blog/If you need help preparing for your viva voce or thesis defense, check out our flagship Private Coaching service - https://gradcoach.com/dissertation-defense-viva-voce/For more free resources, be sure to visit the GRAD COACH BLOG at https://gradcoach.com/blog/

Struggling with writer's block while crafting your dissertation, thesis or research project? In this episode of the Grad Coach podcast, Derek and Ethar dive into the challenges of writer's block, especially for dissertation or thesis writers. Don't forget to grab our free dissertation template @ https://gradcoach.com/dissertation-thesis-template/00:00 Introduction 01:00 What Lies Beneath01:40 Action Point 1: Stop Idealizing Perfection09:15 Action Point 2: Use Note-Taking as a Writing Strategy23:27 Action Point 3: Create the Right Environment29:44 Conclusion and Final ThoughtsKEY RESOURCES:FREE TEMPLATES & TOOLS: https://gradcoach.com/templates/WORK WITH GRAD COACH: https://gradcoach.com/dissertation-coaching/GRAD COACH BLOG: https://gradcoach.com/blog/For more free resources, be sure to visit the GRAD COACH BLOG at https://gradcoach.com/blog/

Is perfectionism holding you back from getting your research project done? In this episode of the Grad Coach Podcast, Derek and Ethan unpack what exactly perfectionism is (it's not what you think) and how to beat it with three practical strategies. Join us as we dive into these techniques to help you move forward with your projects and goals.00:00 Intro00:51 Why Perfectionism is a Monster02:55 Practice 1: Let Perfection Be Your Muse, Not Your Master09:36 Practice 2: Get Comfortable Killing Your Babies18:34 Practice 3: Redefine Perfectionism as Consistent Practice24:20 The Journey Towards PerfectionKEY RESOURCES:

Stuck in "All But Dissertation" status? In this episode of the Grad Coach podcast, Derek and Dr Ethar dive into the challenges of ABD (All But Dissertation) status and how to navigate it effectively. If you're toiling in ABD status or just want to take proactive action to avoid getting stuck, this is a must-watch!OVERVIEW: ALL BUT DISSERTATION (ABD) STATUS00:00 Intro00:19 What exactly is "All But Dissertation"?01:00 Defining ABD: Anxiety, Bad Faith, and Delusion03:40 Strategies to Get Unstuck from ABD Status12:27 The Power of Action Over Anxiety21:11 Building Relationships and Avoiding Isolation30:32 Wrapping Up + free dissertation templateFREE DISSERTATION TEMPLATE: https://gradcoach.com/dissertation-thesis-template/WORK WITH GRAD COACH: https://gradcoach.com/dissertation-coaching/GRAD COACH BLOG: https://gradcoach.com/blog/For more free resources, be sure to visit the GRAD COACH BLOG at https://gradcoach.com/blog/

In this episode, we're diving into a slightly more spicy topic than usual: Why your dissertation or thesis isn't as epically important as you might think—and why that's a good thing! This episode is all about giving you some perspective so that you can craft a strong dissertation without losing your sanity along the way. PS - Don't forget to grab our free dissertation template and other resources over on the Grad Coach blog. Enjoy!00:00 Welcome00:53 Why Your Dissertation Isn't Everything02:01 The Real Value of Your Dissertation05:53 Navigating Academic Expectations11:47 The True Impact of Your Dissertation on Your Career19:28 The Real Prize29:58 Wrapping Up and ResourcesKEY RESOURCES:FREE DISSERTATION TEMPLATE: https://gradcoach.com/dissertation-thesis-template/POWERFUL APPS TO HELP YOU: https://gradcoach.com/dissertation-apps/PRIVATE COACHING: https://gradcoach.com/dissertation-coaching/For more free resources, be sure to visit the GRAD COACH BLOG at https://gradcoach.com/blog/

Learn about the insider secrets to academic success. In this episode of the Grad Coach Podcast, Derek and Ethar delve into the unwritten laws of academia, exploring three simple but powerful practices that you can implement to optimise your academic journey.00:00 Welcome00:37 Unveiling the Unwritten Laws of Academia00:42 Quality Over Quantity: Rethinking "Hard Work"03:17 Engagement and Application: The Keys to Academic Excellence09:40 Beyond the Gatekeepers: Building Relationships with Professors18:16 Balance is BS32:58 Final Thoughts and ResourcesFor more free resources, be sure to visit the GRAD COACH BLOG at https://gradcoach.com/blog/

In this episode, we delve into the three essential habits that define highly successful students. Whether you're completely new to the academic world or you're stuck in the lonely depths of a PhD dissertation, this podcast offers rich insights into developing a sustainable framework for success.00:00 Welcome00:27 Critical Thinking02:57 Premises and Conclusions11:14 Consistent Reading11:40 The Impact Of Reading23:11 Forget About Motivation25:21 The Philosophy of Mastery27:31 Discipline Over Motivation30:31 Goals and Action Plans38:07 Prioritization and Focused Actions41:59 Building Real Confidence Through Mastery45:55 Concluding ThoughtsFor more helpful information, be sure to visit the Grad Coach Blog at https://gradcoach.com/blog/.For more free resources, be sure to visit the GRAD COACH BLOG at https://gradcoach.com/blog/

Writing a dissertation, thesis or any sort of formal academic research paper comes with a lot of challenges. Some are technical. Others are more psychological and emotional. In this episode of the Grad Coach Podcast, Derek Jansen (MBA) and Ethar Al-Saraf (PhD) unpack three of the most common struggles students face when undertaking academic research - and how to manage them.OVERVIEW:00:00 Welcome00:42 Tackling the Challenge of Difficult Advisors13:15 The Lonely Journey of Research and How to Navigate It26:12 Mastering Focus with the Pomodoro Technique28:30 Embracing the Struggle: The Journey of Research30:28 Confronting Imposter Syndrome: Strategies and Insights36:13 Harnessing Imposter Syndrome for Growth43:18 Walking Your Unique Path: A ConclusionKEY RESOURCES:FREE Dissertation/Thesis Template: https://gradcoach.com/dissertation-thesis-template/Other Templates & Tools: https://gradcoach.com/templates/The Grad Coach Blog: https://gradcoach.com/blog/Private Coaching: https://gradcoach.com/dissertation-coaching/For more free resources, be sure to visit the GRAD COACH BLOG at https://gradcoach.com/blog/

In this episode of the Grad Coach Podcast, Derek is joined by Dr. Ethar Al-Saraf to discuss crucial insights for those embarking on or considering a PhD journey. If you're thinking about doing a PhD or if you're in the early stages of a doctoral program, you'll definitely want to catch this one!00:00 Introduction00:42 It's Not Just Intellectual Curiosity08:25 Expectations vs. Reality19:29 The Supervisor's Role in Your Success38:10 Concluding Thoughts and FREE ResourcesFor more free resources, be sure to visit the GRAD COACH BLOG at https://gradcoach.com/blog/

In this episode of the Grad Coach podcast, Derek is joined by Dr. Ethar Al-Saraf to discuss four cheat codes that can fast-track the process of crafting a convincing research proposal. If you're currently working on a proposal for a dissertation, thesis or any other academic research project, you won't want to miss this!Key Resources: FREE PROPOSAL TEMPLATE: https://gradcoach.com/research-proposal-template/FREE WEBINAR: https://gradcoach.com/webinar-research-proposal/PROPOSAL BOOTCAMP: https://gradcoach.com/proposal-course/For more free resources, be sure to visit the GRAD COACH BLOG at https://gradcoach.com/blog/

In this episode of the Grad Coach podcast, Derek is joined by Dr. Ethar Al-Saraf to discuss four cheat codes that can help you conquer the almighty methodology chapter. If you're feeling a little intimidated by research methodology, this one is for you!Key Resources: FREE  TEMPLATE: https://gradcoach.com/methodology-template/FREE WEBINAR: https://gradcoach.com/webinar-research-methodology/METHODOLOGY BOOTCAMP: https://gradcoach.com/methodology-course/For more free resources, be sure to visit the GRAD COACH BLOG at https://gradcoach.com/blog/

In this episode of the Grad Coach podcast, Derek is joined by Dr. Ethar Al-Saraf to discuss four cheat codes that can fast-track the process of conducting a literature review. These include aligning the literature search with research aims and questions, planning a structure before writing, striving for analytical writing over descriptive writing, and using quote sandwiches. Key Resources: FREE LITERATURE REVIEW TEMPLATE: https://gradcoach.com/literature-review-template/FREE WEBINAR: https://gradcoach.com/webinar-literature-review/LITERATURE REVIEW BOOTCAMP: https://gradcoach.com/literature-review-course/GRAD COACH BLOG: https://gradcoach.com/blog/EXPLAINER VIDEO: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SeGIBS6XEJAFor more free resources, be sure to visit the GRAD COACH BLOG at https://gradcoach.com/blog/