Writing and Research Tips
Thoughtful Thursday: Mindfulness
25th August 2022
We posted on Facebook last week about a study that found increased rates of depression or anxiety in graduate students, compared to the general population; the post did so well that we realized that many people might benefit from some tips and resources about anxiety, depression, and stress reduction on a consistent basis.
Resolutions for Grad Students
25th August 2022
The new year is quickly approaching, and many people are making their resolutions. As a grad student, you might be making a list of things to finish this coming year, or things you want to do before graduate school is over, or you might be thinking, resolutions? I always give up on them anyway before January is over, so why bother? No matter what your approach, making some resolutions as a grad student can be a good idea, if done realistically.Classics that Are Perfect for Summer
25th August 2022
We’ve written posts before about how important it is to read widely, and if you read interviews with writers or talk to an established writer, at some point it’s likely that they’ll tell you that in order to write well, you need to read a lot.Conferences, Part 2: Are You Ready for a National Conference?
25th August 2022
So you've gone to a graduate student conference, and maybe even presented your research - great! The next step is a national conference in your field: is it worth going? There's no doubt that going to a national conference in your discipline is a commitment - financially, at the very least.In the News: Penn Will Be the First of the Ivies to Offer an Online Bachelor's Degree
25th August 2022
The University of Pennsylvania will become the first Ivy League school to offer an online Bachelor’s degree, starting next fall.Thoughtful Thursday: Juggling Graduate School, Work, and Parenting
25th August 2022
We know many of you are not only working (whether it’s full- or part-time) and going to graduate school, but you’re also juggling family responsibilities.Thoughtful Thursday: 5 Tips for Stress Reduction
25th August 2022
We’ve done a post on self-care tips, and though this one might overlap a bit, with finals and the end of the semester coming up, having plenty of tools in your toolbox to cope with stress is never a bad thing.Practicing Gratitude as a Graduate Student
25th August 2022
It’s that time of year when people take stock of what they're thankful for and how they can do nice things for others.Thoughtful Thursday: Aromatherapy
25th August 2022
Most of us have had the experience of smelling something and having an associated, instinctual response – for instance, the smell of chocolate chip cookies reminding you of coming in from playing in the snow and sitting down to a plate of freshly baked cookies; the smell of a cooked meal similar to one your grandmother used to make, bringing you a feeling of comfort, or maybe even making you tear up a little; or even the smell of a medical facility, reminding you of an unpleasant experience.World Poetry Day is Tomorrow!
25th August 2022
Tomorrow is World Poetry Day! Why world poetry day? Poetry is universal, it crosses cultures and generations and reminds us of our shared humanity.Tips for Summertime Dissertation Motivation
25th August 2022
The summer is (finally) sneaking up on us – barbeques, longer days full of sunshine and swimming and relaxing, and plans with family and friends.Thoughtful Thursday: Slowing Down
25th August 2022
The summertime invites a slower pace, bare feet, and lounging around, but when you’ve got a dissertation or thesis to finish, slowing down is the last thing you feel like doing! We understand that – but sometimes, even slowing down for part of each day can be beneficial to recharge your soul and “reboot” your motivation.Thoughtful Thursday: Yoga Apps and Videos
25th August 2022
With summertime upon us, it can be a great time to start a new fitness routine (if you have any doubts about your physical ability to do an activity, or have any physical issues, check with your doctor before beginning any exercise routine).How to Increase Your Productivity
25th August 2022
We’ve all heard people talking about being morning people or night owls – and with that, comes varying differences in productive times for different people.Dissertation Writing Tips: Tightening up Your Academic Writing
25th August 2022
When editors write things like “tighten this up!” or talk about “tightening up” during a consultation, they’re not referring to physical fitness! Tightening up a piece of writing, whether it’s academic or creative, means cutting the excess, streamlining the ideas, and getting to the point.Dissertation Writing Tips: How to Improve and Strengthen Your Writing
25th August 2022
Nathaniel Hawthorne once said “Easy reading is damn hard writing.” He was right, of course. Good writing takes time and practice, and even if you have a natural inclination toward writing, it’s still not easy.Thoughtful Thursday: The Benefits of Music
25th August 2022
Anyone who’s ever exercised or runs knows that music can be a big motivator. A long run can feel a lot shorter when you have the right music playing on your headphones, and even a night out dancing can fly by if there’s a great soundtrack.Thoughtful Thursday: 15 Free or Low-Cost Summer Activities to Help you Recharge
25th August 2022
It’s summertime, and while you might not be totally free of graduate school or dissertation stress, you might have a bit more free time on your hands.Dissertation Research Tips: Choosing a Topic
25th August 2022
Some people go into their doctoral program with a clear idea of what they want to study and never waver from it; others have a vague sense of what they want their topic to be, and then fine-tune it; still others go in with some idea, and then end up focusing on a completely different topic altogether.Returning to School as a Non-Traditional Student
25th August 2022
Maybe you’re returning to school after taking some time off to start and raise a family. Maybe you’re changing careers.How to Make the Most out of Your Graduate School Experience
25th August 2022
Graduate school is a unique experience and though it’s cliché, it really is what you make of it. Whether you’re attending an in-person program, low-residency program, or completely online program, it’s important to make the most of it, no matter what that might look like for you.Tips for Beating the Back-to-School Blues or Butterflies
25th August 2022
It’s that time of year again: stores have displays of rows and rows of notebooks, pens, pencil cases, glue sticks, and backpacks.Thoughtful Thursday: Beating the Mid-Semester Slump
25th August 2022
It’s mid-October, and the semester is halfway over. You’ve gotten into a routine, you know what your professors expect of you, and things are moving forward.How to Write Professional Emails
25th August 2022
You’re probably wondering why we’re devoting a whole blog post to the simple task of emailing – after all, we all do it, right? What could we possibly blog about? Well…a lot, it turns out.Classic Scary Books to Get You in the Halloween Mood
25th August 2022
Halloween is coming up, and along with black cats, pumpkins, candy, and scary movies, what about getting in the mood with some creepy classic books? Take a break from your research and writing, and escape into these time-tested stories for a few hours.How to Utilize National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo), Even for Your Dissertation!
25th August 2022
It’s November, and it’s National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo). Although it was developed for people writing novels, many people use it to write nonfiction.How to Construct an Effective Poster Presentation
25th August 2022
If you decide to present your research at a conference, you might have to prepare a poster presentation.Graduate Student Gift Guide
25th August 2022
It’s the most wonderful time of the year…the holidays are coming up, and no matter what you celebrate, if you have loved ones who are grad students, you might be wondering what to get them.4 Ways a Professional Editor Can Help Save You Time and Money
25th August 2022
We get it – as a graduate student, you don’t have a ton of disposable income, and so you’re careful about how you spend your money.Dealing With a Difficult Adviser or Chair
25th August 2022
In a perfect world, your dissertation adviser or Chair would always read and return emails promptly, provide unwavering support and expert guidance that always hits the mark.Managing Stress During the Holidays
25th August 2022
It’s the most wonderful time of the year…with the holidays around the corner and the end of the semester upon us, there’s a lot to look forward to – but this time of year might also come with stressors.Study Skills Tips
25th August 2022
Let me guess: you looked at the blog topic and thought, study skills? CLEARLY, I know how to study and study well; I wouldn’t have made it to graduate school if I didn’t.Staying Healthy During the Winter
25th August 2022
During the winter time, the days get shorter, nights are longer, and it can be frighteningly cold, depending on where you live.The Benefits of Journaling in Graduate School
25th August 2022
When was the last time you journaled? For many of us, it was as angsty teens, or kids who kept a diary.New Year's Resolutions for Graduate Students
25th August 2022
Happy New Year! It’s tradition for many people to make resolutions at the start of the new year, but so many times they fall by the wayside by the time January ends.Organizing Your Home Workspace for Success
25th August 2022
As a grad student who is potentially also juggling full-time work and family obligations, needing a “room of your own,” to paraphrase Virginia Woolf, can be vital to your school and/or work success.Selecting Your Dissertation Committee
25th August 2022
Choosing your dissertation or thesis committee is perhaps one of the most difficult but important decisions you will have to make as a graduate student.Tips for Applying to Graduate School
25th August 2022
So you’ve decided to apply to graduate school – congratulations! This is a big decision. It can be overwhelming, but it’s very doable.Valentine's Day Gift Ideas for the Graduate Student
25th August 2022
Love is in the air again…or maybe it’s just February. It can feel like every year, the Valentine’s Day plans people have get more extravagant, which can be stressful if you’re a grad student or don’t have a ton of money to spare.Why Reading Widely Is So Important
25th August 2022
If you talk with any professional writer, at some point they will likely tell you that if you’re interested in becoming a writer, you need to read.How to Beat the Winter Blahs
25th August 2022
In many parts of the country right now, it's still winter, although spring peeks through occasionally.How an Academic Bullet Journal Can Help with your Dissertation Work
25th August 2022
By now, you’ve probably heard of bullet journals, or BuJos. We even posted this article about their use with dissertation work and academia from Inside Higher Education on our Facebook page.Acing Your Dissertation Defense
25th August 2022
After you turn in your dissertation, you will have a defense. The actual format can vary among disciplines and schools, but, in general, it’s a one to two hour event in which you “defend” your work, answer questions, or present your findings to your committee and colleagues.Happy Pi Day!
25th August 2022
Happy Pi Day! While we love pie here at Dissertation Editor (and let’s be real, who doesn’t), we also love pi – especially our stats team.Nurturing Relationships While in Graduate School
25th August 2022
Relationships are an important part of life: friendships, romantic relationships, family relationships, and professional relationships.April is Stress Awareness Month!
25th August 2022
Did you know that April is Stress Awareness Month? Established in 1992, Stress Awareness Month is meant to increase general awareness about the causes and effects of stress, and how to manage stress in your everyday life.Tips to Deal with Graduation Blues
25th August 2022
Congratulations! You worked hard, persevered, and graduated from college or graduate school. This should be one of the happiest times of your life, right? For many graduates, once the immediate graduation and all is festivities pass, a creeping depression can occur.Great Podcasts for Graduate Students
25th August 2022
There are all sorts of tools to help you with your graduate school journey: books, websites, blogs, and…podcasts? Yup, podcasts! For those of you who love being able to listen to podcasts while at the gym, on your commute, or while you’re relaxing, now you can listen to a podcast that will help you navigate graduate school and any questions you have about a whole range of topics for grad school and even beyond! First, the basics: what is a podcast, for the uninitiated? It’s generally a series of episodes of audio files, like a digital serial radio show, almost.The Importance of Fact-Checking and Understanding Your Research
25th August 2022
Recently, the author Naomi Wolf learned – on-air, no less – that a major premise of her book is based on a misunderstanding.Podcasts for Writing
25th August 2022
Are you a podcast-listener? We’ve talked about podcasts for graduate students before, but as you know, whatever you’re interested in, there’s a podcast for that! Here are some that may be helpful in writing your dissertation – and writing in general, too.Making the Most out of Summer During Graduate School
25th August 2022
Summer is here and your instinct might be to kick back and relax and do as little work as possible on your thesis or dissertation – after all, you want to actually enjoy your summer, right? Well…yes and no.Summer Reading: Books and Workbooks on Academic Writing
25th August 2022
Summer is a great time to work on any challenges you might have with writing, especially academic writing.Podcasts for Math, Statistics, and Data Analysis
25th August 2022
Do you listen to podcasts? Do you want to learn more about math or statistics? This post is for you! It’s also for those of you who may not necessarily love statistics and numbers (hey, it’s not for everyone), but want to learn more or need some clarification.How to Deal with Rejection (From Academic Journals)
25th August 2022
It happens to everyone. Really, it does – rejection from academic journals. It’s almost a rite of passage.Basics of Submitting to Academic Journals
25th August 2022
Summer is a great time to start thinking about submitting to journals for publication. You might be working with a professor on research, have you dissertation, or other paper, completed that shows some promise, or you finally have time to finesse that article you’ve been working on.Happy Birthday Harry Potter!
25th August 2022
It’s July 31st! In addition to being a sign that the summer is winding down, it’s also Harry Potter’s birthday! Yup, he will be 39 years old this year, and the Harry Potter world of Hogwarts has been part of our cultural fabric for more than 20 years now, if you can believe it.Maintaining Your Motivation This Summer
25th August 2022
It is mid-summer and many of you might have had some plans in mind for your academic work. There's still time! Whether you’re planning on knocking out a rough draft of a chapter or two of your dissertation, making some headway with your research, or even just wanting to get to a reading list of yours, it can be hard to find the motivation to actually do it.How to Beat Back-to-School Nerves
25th August 2022
If you’ve been in any store lately, you know it’s just around the corner: back-to-school time! You can’t escape the school sales, kids stocking up on clothing and school supplies, and that oh-so-familiar smell of new notebooks, paper, and the memory of the thrill of choosing just the right backpack and lunch box.Back-to-School Necessities for the Graduate Student
25th August 2022
Summer is winding down and going back to school is on the horizon. If you have children, you’ve likely gotten their class lists and are stocking up on supplies – but what about you? Yes, you! Just because you're a graduate student, it doesn't mean you don't need any school supplies.Want to Combat Stress or Burnout? Get Outside!
25th August 2022
As graduate school looms in the not-so-distant future, you might be a little anxious about starting or going back to your graduate program or stressed out about your dissertation or thesis.Dealing With Math Anxiety
25th August 2022
Math anxiety is real and quite common. Many graduate students dread their Statistics class or shy away from data-driven projects.Dissertation Editor: What We Do
25th August 2022
The school year is getting underway and Dissertation Editor is ready to help! Our name might have the word “dissertation” in it, but did you know that we aren’t just for dissertations or theses? That’s right! We offer a range of services for both students and professionals, at every stage of your career.Is it Too Late to go to Graduate School?
25th August 2022
If you’re reading this blog, you might be in graduate school already, you might be thinking of applying to graduate school, or you might be in the process of doing so right now.Writing 1000 Words a Day (or 750, or 500...)
25th August 2022
Did our blog headline get your attention? Great! We thought it would. Too good to be true, you might be asking? Nope.Academic Writing Tips: How to Declutter Your Writing
25th August 2022
It’s important to get words down on the page. Without it, you don’t have a thesis or dissertation.Dealing With Burnout
25th August 2022
The term “burnout” gets thrown around a lot, but do you know what it really means? Burnout is defined as a state of chronic stress leading to physical and emotional exhaustion, cynicism, detachment, and feeling ineffective and unaccomplished.Taking a Gap Year Before Graduate School
25th August 2022
By the time you graduate from college, you’ve been going to school for nearly 20 years, if not more.Tips for Effective Presentations
25th August 2022
Graduate school provides many opportunities to hone your presentation skills: some classes require you to present your research or a topic, you may be teaching, and you might go to a conference or two and do a poster presentation (you can check out our blog on that here).Getting (and Staying) Organized for Graduate School
25th August 2022
The school year is well underway, and whether it’s your first year in graduate school or your final year; whether you’re in a traditional in-person program or an online program; and whether you’re going full-time or part-time, getting and staying organized can make a big difference in your academic life.Graduate School and Disabilities
25th August 2022
Did you know that nearly 20 percent of undergraduate students (19.4%) report having a disability, and 8 percent of masters students and 7 percent of doctoral students report having a disability? The ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) defines “disability” in legal terms, not medical terms, and defines a person with a disability as “a person who has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities.Dealing with Dyscalculia
25th August 2022
Many people are familiar with learning disabilities that deal with reading, writing, or language, but did you know that learning disabilities can also affect the ability to process and understand mathematics? Dyscalculia, sometimes also called “math dyslexia” is a math learning disability that is diagnosed in approximately 5 to 7 percent of students in the US.Keeping a Research Journal
25th August 2022
We’ve discussed academic bullet journaling and how it can help you in a previous blog post, but what about keeping a research journal? While bullet journaling keeps a record of your deadlines and schedules, a research journal is different.Self-Care for Valentine's Day
25th August 2022
February brings with it the commercial trappings of Valentine’s Day: red and pink hearts and the ideas of romance and relationships.Making the Most of Winter Break
25th August 2022
Winter break is coming up – are you planning on actually taking a break, or planning to power ahead with your work? It is possible to do both, with a little planning.What Can You Do with a Dissertation Editor Gift Card?
25th August 2022
The holidays are coming up, and sometimes it’s not easy to figure out what to get friends or family members.Academic New Year's Resolutions for 2019
25th August 2022
It’s a new year! It’s that time when people make resolutions…and often break them. We did a post like this last year, which you can read here.Submitting Your Dissertation or Thesis to ProQuest
25th August 2022
After your final revisions are complete, your manuscript has been edited, and you are completely finished with your thesis or dissertation, you’ll upload your manuscript to ProQuest.Books to Read Over Winter Break
25th August 2022
It’s winter break for most students, and that means more time: time to work on your thesis or dissertation, time to learn a data analysis program, time to rest and recharge, or time to read a good book.Maintaining Your Motivation During Winter Time
25th August 2022
It’s the middle of winter, and in many parts of the country, the temperatures have dropped and snow may be on the ground.Quitting Your Doctoral Program
25th August 2022
Yes, you read the title of today’s blog correctly. Graduate school isn’t for everyone, and sometimes a certain graduate program isn’t right for you – there’s nothing wrong or shameful about that, and there’s no reason to stay in a doctoral program and amass debt and lose time if you know it’s not right for you.Networking as a Graduate Student
25th August 2022
In a perfect world, simply going to school or an internship and working would enable you to meet everyone you need to meet and open up doors to opportunity; unfortunately, that’s not reality, and active networking is necessary.Books to Read for Black History Month
25th August 2022
February is Black History Month. This originated as “Negro History Week,” which historian Carter G.Celebrate Pi Day!
25th August 2022
Ah, Pi Day – no, not PIE day, although we’d love that, too – but Pi Day, a day in which math lovers everywhere celebrate the wonder that is pi, the mathematical constant typically known as 3.Choosing Credible Sources
25th August 2022
In this day and age, we are lucky to have a surplus of scholarly information at our fingertips. No more are the hours of paging through card catalogs or scrolling through microfiche.National Grammar Day!
25th August 2022
March 4th! It’s the only day of the year that is also a complete sentence (march forth!). It’s also National Grammar Day.How Do You Know if You Have the Right Dissertation/Thesis Topic?
25th August 2022
Many people spend a lot of time wondering how to choose a thesis or dissertation topic, but how do you know when you have the right one? Well, it can be different for everyone, including how you define “the right topic,” but there are a few ways to know you’ve picked a good topic.National Library Week!
25th August 2022
It’s National Library Week (4/19-4/25) – a time to celebrate the libraries in your life. Libraries serve the needs of their communities, whether it’s a busy undergrad university, a small charter school, a research institution, an inner-city neighborhood, or a graduate school.April is D.E.A.R. Month
25th August 2022
Do you remember DEAR (Drop Everything And Read)? In elementary school, there would be DEAR time, and we’d all stop the lesson and take out a book and have quiet time to read.Academics in the time of COVID-19
25th August 2022
If you attend an in-person undergraduate or graduate program, you most likely have been affected by school closures, due to the novel coronavirus, COVID-19.Working from Home with Kids During COVID-19
25th August 2022
Working from home can be challenging enough if you’re not used to it, whether it’s for your job or working on your dissertation or thesis.Self-Care During COVID-19
25th August 2022
It’s always important to practice self-care, but it is especially important during graduate school and while you’re working on your thesis or dissertation.Commencement Speeches That Will Inspire You
25th August 2022
Graduation season is approaching, and schools often get leaders in various fields to give commencement addresses.
Dr. Roda's Recent Trip to USF!
25th August 2022
There are a lot of wonderful things going on here at Dissertation Editor, and we wanted to share some with you, our blog readers.
Movies to Help you get into Back-to-School Mode
25th August 2022
Summer is winding down, and it’s almost time to go back to school. Whether you’re continuing your program, starting a new adventure, or even if you took a class or two over the summer, the transition back to the daily grind can be a tough one.
Need a Break? Check out these Movies Based on Books
25th August 2022
As we’ve mentioned previously, all work and no relaxation is never a good thing. Sometimes we need to step away from the writing and research for a few hours and do something fun: go for a walk, a swim, take a nap, volunteer – anything.
Pi Day is Here!
25th August 2022
Happy Pi Day! What is Pi Day, you ask? Pi Day is celebrated on March 14, or 3/14. (It also happens to be Albert Einstein’s birthday, ironically).
Thoughtful Thursday: Books About Science that Everyone Should Read
25th August 2022
It’s the tail end of winter break for many of you, and hopefully you've been able to take at least some time off from writing and research and enjoy some free time, get some sleep, get outside and play in the snow, or do some “pleasure reading.
Thoughtful Thursday: Self-Care
25th August 2022
You’ve probably heard about self-care – it’s a common buzzword these days. At its most basic, self-care is simply taking care of yourself – both your body and mind.
Thoughtful Thursday: the Importance of Connection
25th August 2022
When we’re stressed or swamped with work and on deadline, it’s natural to hole ourselves up in our house or office to try and make a dent in the pile of papers, or to meet all of the deadlines on time.
How Failure Can Help You Succeed
11th January 2021
There was an article going around about a PhD candidate who defended her dissertation wearing a skirt made out of rejection letters she’d gotten during her doctoral program: scholarship rejections, journal rejections, grant rejections, conference rejections, and more.
Dealing with Feedback
25th August 2020
This blog post might be difficult to read. That isn't a bad thing! Receiving feedback can be uncomfortable, but what you do with the feedback is important.
