Navigating Your PhD Journey

Writing Your PhD

Structuring Your PhD

Navigating Your PhD

There’s more to a PhD than research and writing.

This theme recognises that there’s to doing a PhD than research and writing. It goes beyond research and writing and focuses on the broader challenges of the PhD process, from preparing for your viva and publishing your work to managing the emotional hurdles like imposter syndrome and burnout.

Through workshops, coaching, and expert guidance, we help you build confidence, develop resilience, and strategically approach milestones. Whether you’re learning how to publish in academic journals, mastering the viva process, or managing the unique pressures of doctoral life, our services are tailored to meet your needs at every stage.

At its core, this theme is about helping you succeed holistically, balancing the demands of research with your well-being and long-term goals. By addressing the emotional and strategic challenges of the PhD, this theme empowers you to manage stress, stay motivated, and remain focused on your objectives.

Blog Posts & PhD Guides

Search The PhD Knowledge Base

Should You Quit Your PhD? How to Tell If It’s the Right Decision

Should You Quit Your PhD? How to Tell If It’s the Right Decision

Half of all PhD students consider quitting. This guide helps you work out whether what you're feeling is a normal part of the journey or a sign it's time to...

80 things I wish I knew when I was doing my PhD

80 things I wish I knew when I was doing my PhD

Often, the difference between unnecessary worry and successfully muddling through is having someone on your side who can tell you that what you’re feeling is normal and reassure you with...

28 PhD Viva Questions Your Examiners Will Ask

28 PhD Viva Questions Your Examiners Will Ask

28 real PhD viva questions across 8 categories, compiled by a professor who has examined more than 50 PhDs. Each question includes what the examiner is looking for and how...

How to deal with post-viva PhD thesis corrections

How to deal with post-viva PhD thesis corrections

We like to think that the viva is the end of the doctoral process; the final step in the long journey to a PhD. But, for most, it isn’t the...

From The PhD Proofreaders To The PhD People

We've recently changed our name and updated our website. In this post we explain why and renew our commitment to being there for you during your PhD.

Preparing for Your First-Year Progress Review: Key Insights and Strategies

Preparing for Your First-Year Progress Review: Key Insights and Strategies

The first-year PhD progress review is a significant milestone in any PhD journey. In this post, we'll advise you on how to best prepare.

10 Reading Strategies for PhD Students To Improve Long-Term Accessibility of Information

10 Reading Strategies for PhD Students To Improve Long-Term Accessibility of Information

We read hundreds of articles and books for our PhDs, but do we keep all the information? Learn which strategies benefit long-term memory.

What nobody tells you about doing a PhD…

What nobody tells you about doing a PhD…

When you start a PhD, you’re thrown into the deep end. Unlike starting a new job, there’s often no onboarding process to guide you through. You’re lucky if you even...

The 9 most effective ways to achieve PhD success

The 9 most effective ways to achieve PhD success

Writing a PhD is physically, intellectually and emotionally daunting. You may spend each day doubting yourself, not sure if you’re making the right choices and unsure whether you’ve got what...

What to do if you lack motivation in your PhD

What to do if you lack motivation in your PhD

Motivation is elusive. Some days you have it and others you don’t. Well, having fluctuations in your motivation is normal and to be expected. If you took ten PhD students,...

Leaving Academia After A PhD

Leaving Academia After A PhD

Congratulations, Doctor; academic work is NOT your only option. If you’ve just completed your PhD, the grass may be greener outside the university gates. In this post, we offer advice...

How to Stop Procrastinating and Complete Your PhD Thesis: 10 Strategies to Consider

How to Stop Procrastinating and Complete Your PhD Thesis: 10 Strategies to Consider

"I'll do it tomorrow....." Stop saying and start doing with these strategies on how to stop procrastinating your PhD thesis.

39 PhD Mindfulness Exercises To De-Stress Your PhD

39 PhD Mindfulness Exercises To De-Stress Your PhD

Research has shown how mindfulness exercises can be important in lowering PhD stress. Here we present 39 mindfulness exercises to help you towards a successful submission.

6 ways to overcome PhD loneliness

6 ways to overcome PhD loneliness

PhDs can be the loneliest places in the world. You may be part of a bigger cohort of students in your department, but ultimately it’s down to you to power...

PhD Mental Health: The importance of self-care during the writing process

PhD Mental Health: The importance of self-care during the writing process

‘Am I doing it right?’ ‘Others are so much better at writing than me.’ ‘I have to please my supervisor.’ ‘My future career, my life, depends on how well I...

What makes a good PhD supervisor? Top tips for managing the student-supervisor relationship.

What makes a good PhD supervisor? Top tips for managing the student-supervisor relationship.

We explain what makes a good PhD supervisor, what they should and shouldn't be doing, and how to make the most of your supervision meetings.

How to survive the first year of your PhD

How to survive the first year of your PhD

Just starting out on your PhD? Here are our tips on how to survive the first year of your first year and make it out in one piece.

Consolations For PhD Imposter Syndrome

Consolations For PhD Imposter Syndrome

We all feel like imposters from time to time. We can carry with us a pervasive sense that, at our core, we’re intellectual phonies. That we don’t deserve to be...

6 Things New PhD Students Should Know

6 Things New PhD Students Should Know

Noting can ever fully prepare you for the intellectual, physical and emotional assault that comes with doing a PhD. Everyone does a PhD for very personal reasons, and everyone finds...

Impressing the Examiners: How to Prepare for Your PhD Viva

Impressing the Examiners: How to Prepare for Your PhD Viva

Completing your PhD thesis is a huge moment, but there's still another hurdle to clear. Read on to learn how to prepare for your PhD viva.

With age comes wisdom – how to succeed as a mature PhD student

With age comes wisdom – how to succeed as a mature PhD student

LIfe as a mature PhD student can throw up challenges. Here we offer our advice on how mature students can thrive on the PhD journey.

How to deal with unexpected PhD supervisor feedback

How to deal with unexpected PhD supervisor feedback

Devastated by unexpected constructive feedback? Take time to rage against the feedback then look after yourself and start again. Supervisors only give you feedback to help you pass your PhD,...

Advice For New PhD Students

Advice For New PhD Students

It has been two years since I successfully completed my PhD. Looking back, there are many things I wish I’d known before starting it, which would have helped me to...

People like me will never do things like that: PhD imposter syndrome and academic anxiety

People like me will never do things like that: PhD imposter syndrome and academic anxiety

To those who think they’re not good enough I say two things. First, good enough for what? To be an academic? Well, you are one. You’re a trainee. Second, you’re...

5 Things New PhD Students Should Know

5 Things New PhD Students Should Know

Noting can ever fully prepare you for the intellectual, physical and emotional assault that comes with doing a PhD. Everyone does a PhD for very personal reasons, and everyone finds...

Working With a Not-So-Great PhD Supervisor

Working With a Not-So-Great PhD Supervisor

The first year of supervised training for PhD students is extremely daunting. But what if you have a not-so-great PhD supervisor?

How Moments of Mindfulness Can Thwart the PhD Blues — The Science of Mindfulness for Students

How Moments of Mindfulness Can Thwart the PhD Blues — The Science of Mindfulness for Students

PhD students are six times more likely to experience depression or anxiety than the general population — that’s what a recent survey of over 2,000 graduate students found. To those...

PhD and Mental Health – Finding the Balance

PhD and Mental Health – Finding the Balance

Doing a PhD while struggling with mental health can be difficult, but there are things you can do to look after yourself and your well-being.

Combatting the Curse of Knowledge (and related illnesses)

Combatting the Curse of Knowledge (and related illnesses)

You're already familiar with imposter syndrome. It is intrinsically linked with the lesser-known Curse of Knowledge. Here we explain how to manage this common struggle.

The crisis of confidence in doctoral programmes

The crisis of confidence in doctoral programmes

56% of doctoral students report feeling like an imposter. 75% say they worry about failing. And 63% feel completely overwhelmed.

When did PhDs get so lonely?

When did PhDs get so lonely?

A large institutional survey (10,000+ students) found “an alarming picture of psychological distress associated to feelings of loneliness". How did it ever get so bad?

What do we do (and how can we do it better)?

What do we do (and how can we do it better)?

If you ask the right questions, you get the right answers. You might not have expected them or particularly wanted to hear them, but if you ask right you get...

How attached to your PhD thesis are you?

How attached to your PhD thesis are you?

If you’re anything like I was, your PhD thesis is like your baby. You’ve bought it into the world and you’ll die for it. It’s tested you, pushed you harder...

Welcome to Shit Valley: The PhD Phase No One Warns You About

Welcome to Shit Valley: The PhD Phase No One Warns You About

80% of doctoral researchers experience a sustained period where everything feels pointless, progress seems impossible, and you question whether you’re cut out for this at all. Welcome to what I...

The PhD Upgrade Viva: What Nobody Tells You (and How to Walk In Ready)

The PhD Upgrade Viva: What Nobody Tells You (and How to Walk In Ready)

Your PhD upgrade viva doesn't have to be terrifying. Learn what examiners actually look for, common questions, how to prepare, and how to manage anxiety.

Post-PhD Emptiness — Why Finishing Your Doctorate Feels Like a Loss

Post-PhD Emptiness — Why Finishing Your Doctorate Feels Like a Loss

The flatness after finishing your PhD is grief — for the routine, the identity, and the community. Here’s why, and what helps.

PhD Imposter Syndrome: Why It’s a Belonging Problem, Not a You Problem

PhD Imposter Syndrome: Why It’s a Belonging Problem, Not a You Problem

82% of people experience imposter syndrome. For PhD students, it’s not a character flaw — it’s a belonging problem. Here’s the fix.

PhD Feels Overwhelming Already? That’s Normal.

PhD Feels Overwhelming Already? That’s Normal.

Yes, the first year of a PhD is supposed to feel overwhelming. It’s not you — it’s the system. Here’s what actually helps.

Supervision

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Masterclasses

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Writing Intensives

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Proofreading & Feedback

Proofreading & Editing

Proofreading & Editing

Writing Your PhD

Full service language proofreading and editing to help you submit a fluent, error-free thesis.

Writing Feedback & Critique

Writing Feedback & Critique

Writing Your PhD

With professional insights tailored to your PhD, we’ll feedback on the quality of your writing and argumentation—so you can submit your work with confidence.