PhD Tips

On April 2, 2026, I successfully defended my dissertation: "Radical Solutions: To Be Young, Gifted in Teaching Mathematics" at Boston University's Earl Center for Learning and Innovation. In May, 2026 I will graduate with a PhD in Mathematics & Science Education. Connect with me at https://www.cliff.phd/ if you want a copy of the dissertation and a study/class guide when it becom...

Some of your best research ideas will come when you least expect them—and if you don’t capture them, they’re gone. In this episode, Cliff Freeman shares why every PhD student should keep a living research question list from the very start of their program. Learn how this simple habit can fuel your dissertation, spark future projects, and even lead to funded research years down the line. Music : Pi...

Perfectionism might feel like a badge of honor, but in the dissertation process, it’s a momentum killer. In this episode, Cliff Freeman shares why chasing “perfect” before you share your work can cost you months—and how embracing early, imperfect drafts can speed up your progress. Learn why your advisor needs to see your work sooner, how early feedback can save you from wasted effort, and why ever...

You’ve finished your qualifying tasks—congrats! But what you do next could save you months… or cost you months. In this episode, Cliff Freeman shares why you should assemble your dissertation committee immediately and why every piece of substantive writing—no matter how rough—should go to your advisor. Learn how early formation and frequent feedback create momentum, keep you aligned, and prevent c...

The Qualifying Task. Oh what a process. At the Wheelock College of Education & Human Development at Boston University, we are required to complete two qualifying tasks: a literature review and a research study. In this episode, I will guide you through my journey of creating these scholarly works seamlessly, alleviating much of the stress associated with meeting tight deadlines. You can read b...

Time flies. There will be a point in your PhD journey when you wonder "Where has the time gone?!!" When you reach year four, hopefully all of that time contributed to writing papers, making conference presentations, and finishing course work! That point in time happened for me this week. I felt a surge of inspiration one morning, compelling me to record this voice note. Enjoy! — Music :...

Embark on a transformative journey with today's riveting episode as we unveil seven indispensable tips for navigating the challenging realm of doctoral studies. Whether you're grappling with time management, seeking strategies to enhance your research prowess, or longing for guidance on maintaining a healthy work-life balance, this episode is an indispensable compass to steer you towards t...

Welcome to Season 2 of PhD Tips! Today we are joined by Dr. Khadija Boyd, a retired military veteran, and currently full-time scholar! Dr. Boyd joins the podcast with 5 tips for doctoral students ready to start THRIVING in their doctoral studies.  Read some of Dr. Boyd's recently published articles: https://scholar.google.com/citations?hl=en&user=b4-gqSIAAAAJ As always, visit phd-tips.com...

Hi, my name is Cliff Freeman, and welcome to the second season of PhD Tips! Similar to last season, we will hear a variety of Ph. D. tips from real-life doctoral students who will eventually defend a dissertation at the end of their academic journey. In addition to current PhD students, we will invite individuals who are in the application phase, postdocs, and PhDs in the field to share some of th...

If you are having a feeling of "I can't do this" on your journey to Ph. D., stop what you are doing and listen to this podcast featuring Dr. Andrea N. Curry. Dr. Curry shares key tips for current and future Ph. D. students. Please check out some of Dr. Curry's endeavors by clicking links in the Podcast description!  Doctor of Philosophy in Health Services:  The Evaluation of the Relation...

In this episode of PhD Tips, Dr. Douglass shares invaluable tips about shifting self-defeating mindsets that show up on your Journey to PhD. Dr Douglass blesses us with advice and tips throughout the ENTIRE show! What a special treat! Make sure to connect with Dr. Douglass if you need any support! Tik Tok: @drkimberlydouglass Facebook : Kimberly Douglass  Instagram : @DrKimberlyDouglass Twitt...

Ophelia Okoh is a medical student at Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. This episode is a more laid back episode as Ophelia and I are friends. She gives critical insights about the road to Dr in the medical field. In 7 years time, she will be on her way to being a successful physician in Family Medicine. Listen to Ophelia on her Podcast: Hear Her Speak Email her with any questions at: o...

In grad school and beyond, you will encounter lengthy theory papers. These papers will be like no other paper you have read before. How do you get through them? Thanks to Dr. Jonathan Rosa and Dr. Roy Perez we now have a blueprint. This is part 1 of 2 about how to read long theory articles. Link to the full list of tips

Today on PhD Tips, Rinice Sauls shares her experience as a second-year Ph. D. student. Her experience is unique in the sense that she has already experienced a successful career in K-12 as a practitioner and has begun her PhD program to learn more and eventually be successful in research. Find Rinice on twitter: @rinice_sauls

Shaunesse Jacobs, originally from Shreveport, Louisiana, is currently in the third year of her PhD program at Boston University's School of Theology. Shaunesse is on track to becoming a household name. As a 3rd year Ph. D. student, what drives her to continue the PhD are the contributions she hopes her research questions will have, which aim to improve the public health crises of black maternal mo...

Welcome back to PhD Tips! This tip is for all students learning in academic institutions that require professors to hand out a syllabus at the beginning of the course!  Today's Ph. D. Tip is from Cliff Freeman, a first-year Ph. D. student at Boston University studying Mathematics and Science Education . (At time of recording). Follow him on Twitter: @Cliffitt and Follow PhD Tips on Twitter: @...

Today on Ph. D. Tips, we are joined by Lashae William, a 2nd-year doctoral candidate at Drexel University studying clinical psychology with an emphasis in pediatric neuropsychology. Lashae's Tips for future PhD students are empowering and inspirational for anyone, but especially for students of the culture who suffer from impostor syndrome. This Podcast is a major gem!  Follow Lashae on Twitt...

Today, we have Jay Withers on PhD Tips! We spoke about course loads, day to day life as a PhD student, and what it feels like to be a PhD student during the pandemic. Jay Withers, originally from Little Rock Arkansaw, is a 2nd-year black graduate student in a doctoral program for Clinical Psychology at the University of Memphis. Jay's immediate interest are in how alcohol misuse affects Black emer...

Today on Ph. D. Tips, Dr. Sharde M. Davis shares her wisdom, insight, and Ph. D. Tips! The three major topics of discussion were Research Sabbaticals,  Mentorship, and PhD Tips that will help students succeed.   At the time of the recording, Dr. Davis is a tenure track assistant professor at the University of Connecticut (UCONN).  The tips presented today are best suited for st...

In this episode, Cliff Freeman, Phd student at Boston University, studying Math and Science, will share a tip that is helping him write his dissertation in year 0! If consistent, this tip enables PhD students who are transitioning into dissertation writing an easy one… your dissertation will basically write itself!

Today’s featured PhD Tip is getting your Research Organized! Cliff Freeman, a PhD student at Boston University, studying Math And Science, shares his experience using Zotero, an efficient way to keep track of all his research throughout his academic journey. Zotero is a open source and free to use software which can be downloaded from Zotero.org.