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...

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 SERVICES 00:00 Introduction  01:08 The Dangers of Academic Misconduct 02:18 The Role of...

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...

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 Introduction 01:06 Deep...

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 Introduction 00:31 Disclaimer 01:51 Understanding Your Study and Department's Approach 11:44 Identifying and Addressing Weaknesses 23:44 Investing in Your Presentat...

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 Beneath 01:40...

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 Intro 00:51 Why Perfectionism is a Monster 02:55...

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) STATUS 00:00 Intro 00:19 What exactly is "All B...

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...

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 Welcome 00:37 Unveiling the Unwritten Laws of Academia 00:42 Quality Over Quantity: Rethinking "Hard Work" 03:17 Engagement and Applica...

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 Welcome 00:27 Critical Thinking 02:57 Premises and Conclusions 11:14 Consistent Reading 11:40 The...

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 Welcom...

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 Introduction 00:42 It's Not Just Intellectual Curiosity 08:25 Expectations vs. Reality 19:29 The...

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-propos...

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/ METH...

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...