Marlene was one of the brightest and most conscientious doctoral students I’ve ever served in my academic coaching and editing practice. An older student, she had returned for her doctorate after three of her four kids were grown and out. Marlene held down a full-time job in medical billing, and her youngest was now in […] … learn more→
Blog Archives
When you’re older than your professors
The gender studies degree, in detail
It’s easy to look at a degree printed on a sheet of paper and say “that’s all crap,” and one degree (of many, to be sure) that often receives such scorn is the Gender Studies (or Women’s Studies) degree. Does it deserve this treatment? Well, Arizona State University, noted for turning higher ed into a […] … learn more→
Community colleges open the door to selective universities
When it comes to getting into a selective university, high school GPA and test scores typically play the most important role. But in a recent study, we show another way to attend a selective university: transfer from a community college. This alternative option is important for students who are minority, low-income, and underprepared academically for higher education. Students from these particular […] … learn more→
Being in a minority: It’s now all bad
There are two specific ways I was positioned as a minority during my PhD: being an Asian woman and being a medieval scholar. Being a medieval scholar was the more difficult of the two! I was one of the few women postgraduates working regularly – or even occasionally – in the postgraduate room where I […] … learn more→
Are working-class students and academics avoiding top universities?
When it comes to university choices for both students and academics, it might seem like everyone wants to study and work in the institutions that top the league tables and the world rankings – but research seems to indicate this isn’t the case. As part of the background analysis for my new book Experiences of Academics from a […] … learn more→
How to avoid being sucked into the black hole of administration
Basic physics I’ll admit that my knowledge of physics is largely confined to the theme song of The Big Bang Theory. Increasingly, however, I find myself staring into the electronic time suck that is my email inbox and thinking about Einstein’s theory of general relativity. I wonder, in particular, if he was thinking of academia […] … learn more→
Stimulants: Using them to cram for exams ruins sleep and doesn’t help test scores
Along with a steeper financial burden and an increasingly competitive academic environment, this year’s incoming freshman university class will likely be confronted with the pressure to take a little pill that some popular culture references say will make you “awesome at everything.” Or they may eschew the temptation and rely on the standard practice of study, sleep, repeat. […] … learn more→
Me, myself and I
It is well known that the doctoral education experience is a serious challenge to mental health and wellbeing. As a “part-time” PhD candidate with a full time job and a family, I know the challenge of maintaining the balance of wellbeing, relationships, and productivity. I do my best, but the weight of my responsibilities and […] … learn more→
Teaching innovation: it’s not just design thinking!
While design thinking is a tool for developing creativity, spreading across many paths of higher education, design professionals point to the simplistic side of the method, even the deception of a design without designers. By sharing several years of pedagogical experiments at the Grenoble Alpes University , ENSCI – Les Ateliers and Yncréa Hauts – de – France, we propose to take stock […] … learn more→
Don’t calm down! Exam stress may not be fun but it can help you get better marks
Student Studying Hard Exam and Sleeping on Books, Tired Girl Read Difficult Book in Library[/caption] Two-thirds of young people experience levels of exam stress that mental health organisation ReachOut describes as “worrying”. Research shows high levels of exam stress can interfere with attention and reduce working memory, leading to lower performance. Early experiences of anxiety and stress can […] … learn more→
