The Grad Coach Podcast

The Grad Coach Podcast

By Grad CoachEducationHow To
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The Grad Coach Podcast episodes

  • How To Read Academic Literature Faster & Smarter

    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.ย 

    OVERVIEW:

    00:00 Introduction
    01:30 Categorizing and Prioritizing
    01:55 Understanding Research Methods
    02:32 Reading with Intention and Critical Thinking
    09:03 Skimming and Scanning
    17:59 Balancing Hard Work and Smart Strategies
    26:04 Practical Tips and University Guidelines
    28:08 Final Thoughts

    KEY RESOURCES:

    ๐Ÿ“ FREE TEMPLATES: https://gradcoach.com/templates/
    ๐ŸŽ“ 1-ON-1 PRIVATE COACHING: https://gradcoach.com/dissertation-coaching/
    ๐Ÿ“š RESEARCH BOOTCAMPS: https://gradcoach.com/online-courses/
    ๐Ÿ–‹๏ธ GRAD COACH BLOG: https://gradcoach.com/blog/

    For more free resources, be sure to visit the GRAD COACH BLOG at https://gradcoach.com/blog/

    29 min
  • Dissertation Writing Services (Human & AI): Far Worse Than You Think โš ๏ธ

    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 Introductionย 
    01:08 The Dangers of Academic Misconduct
    02:18 The Role of AI in Academia
    04:36 Scammers and the Risks of Outsourcing
    06:24 Authenticity
    15:23 Ethics and Morality in Academia
    24:06 Final Thoughts

    KEY RESOURCES:

    ๐Ÿ“ FREE TEMPLATES: https://gradcoach.com/templates/
    ๐ŸŽ“ 1-ON-1 PRIVATE COACHING: https://gradcoach.com/dissertation-coaching/
    ๐Ÿ“š RESEARCH BOOTCAMPS: https://gradcoach.com/online-courses/
    ๐Ÿ–‹๏ธ GRAD COACH BLOG: https://gradcoach.com/blog/

    For more free resources, be sure to visit the GRAD COACH BLOG at https://gradcoach.com/blog/

    26 min
  • Dealing With Dissertation Paralysis: Here's How You Get Unstuck

    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 Introduction
    00:57 Getting Unstuck in the Dissertation Process
    02:03 Rediscovering Your WHY
    06:12 Be The Squeaky Wheel
    18:42 Break Down the Pieces of the Puzzle
    29:32 Recap + FREE Resources

    KEY RESOURCES:

    ๐Ÿ“„ FREE TEMPLATES: https://gradcoach.com/templates/
    ๐Ÿ“š ONE-ON-ONE COACHING: https://gradcoach.com/dissertation-coaching/
    ๐Ÿ“ THE GRAD COACH BLOG: https://gradcoach.com/blog/

    Don't forget to check out the rest of the Podcast catalogue at https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLvcb33xNTVUnxw2tzMpRsyT0C7pErHxFa

    For more free resources, be sure to visit the GRAD COACH BLOG at https://gradcoach.com/blog/

    30 min
  • 3 Harsh Truths About The Academic Research Process - What You Need To Know

    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.ย 

    OVERVIEW:

    00:00 Introduction
    01:06 Deeper, Darker Truth #1: Universities Aren't Always Right
    02:27 Taking Ownership and Being Proactive
    06:44 Deeper, Darker Truth #2: Fear of Failure
    09:31 Practical Steps to Overcome Challenges
    12:22 Deeper, Darker Truth #3: No Shortcuts in Academia
    17:29 Planning for Excellence and Time Management
    21:29 Final Thoughts

    KEY RESOURCES:

    ๐Ÿ“„ FREE TEMPLATES: https://gradcoach.com/templates/
    ๐Ÿ“š ONE-ON-ONE COACHING: https://gradcoach.com/dissertation-coaching/
    ๐Ÿ“ THE GRAD COACH BLOG: https://gradcoach.com/blog/

    Don't forget to check out the rest of the Podcast catalogue at https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLvcb33xNTVUnxw2tzMpRsyT0C7pErHxFa

    For more free resources, be sure to visit the GRAD COACH BLOG at https://gradcoach.com/blog/

    22 min
  • Viva Voce Victory: How To Ace Your Thesis Defense

    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.ย 

    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 Presentation
    31:47 Final Thoughtsย 
    35:55 Get Help with Your Viva Voce

    KEY RESOURCES:

    Questions You Need To Prepare For - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2JHBpj1H9LA
    Companion 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/

    37 min
  • This Is How You Break Through Writer's Block

    Struggling with writerโ€™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.ย 

    Don't forget to grab our free dissertation template @ https://gradcoach.com/dissertation-thesis-template/

    00:00 Introductionย 
    01:00 What Lies Beneath
    01:40 Action Point 1: Stop Idealizing Perfection
    09:15 Action Point 2: Use Note-Taking as a Writing Strategy
    23:27 Action Point 3: Create the Right Environment
    29:44 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

    KEY 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/

    33 min
  • How To Beat Perfectionism & Stop Procrastinating: 3 Things You Need To Do (Right Now)

    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 (itโ€™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 Practice 1: Let Perfection Be Your Muse, Not Your Master
    09:36 Practice 2: Get Comfortable Killing Your Babies
    18:34 Practice 3: Redefine Perfectionism as Consistent Practice
    24:20 The Journey Towards Perfection

    KEY RESOURCES:

    ๐Ÿ“„ FREE DISSERTATION & THESIS TEMPLATES: https://gradcoach.com/templates/
    ๐ŸŽ“ FREE WEBINARS: https://gradcoach.com/free-webinars/
    ๐Ÿ“š BEST-SELLING COURSES: https://gradcoach.com/online-courses/
    ๐Ÿ‘ฉโ€๐Ÿซ PRIVATE COACHING: https://gradcoach.com/dissertation-coaching/

    To learn more, 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/

    29 min
  • All But Dissertation (ABD) Status: How To Get Unstuck & Finish Your Dissertation

    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 But Dissertation"?
    01:00 Defining ABD: Anxiety, Bad Faith, and Delusion
    03:40 Strategies to Get Unstuck from ABD Status
    12:27 The Power of Action Over Anxiety
    21:11 Building Relationships and Avoiding Isolation
    30:32 Wrapping Up + free dissertation template

    FREE 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/

    32 min
  • You Are NOT Your Dissertation: Why Your Dissertation Is Not As Important As You Might Think

    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 thinkโ€”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 Welcome
    00:53 Why Your Dissertation Isn't Everything
    02:01 The Real Value of Your Dissertation
    05:53 Navigating Academic Expectations
    11:47 The True Impact of Your Dissertation on Your Career
    19:28 The Real Prize
    29:58 Wrapping Up and Resources

    KEY 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/

    31 min
  • The Unspoken Laws Of Academic Success: Secrets From "The Inside"

    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 Application: The Keys to Academic Excellence
    09:40 Beyond the Gatekeepers: Building Relationships with Professors
    18:16 Balance is BS
    32:58 Final Thoughts and Resources

    For more free resources, be sure to visit the GRAD COACH BLOG at https://gradcoach.com/blog/

    33 min

About The Grad Coach Podcast

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On the Grad Coach Podcast, we talk about all things academic research-related, from how to find a strong research topic to analysing data and surviving the pressures of grad school.

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