Grad Student Academy

After your PhD, what's next? As a student, I thought there were only two options: academia or industry. The good news is that you have so many possibilities: ? ?????????????? Build up your research skills and expertise in a postdoc position ? ???????????????? Pursue a lecture, tenure-track, research, or teaching professor position ? ???????????????? Apply your expertise in a for-profit company ? ???????????????????? Apply your knowledge to inform policy decisions or work in government agencies ? ??????-???????????? ???????????????????????? Lead research initiatives in a non-profit organization ? ???????????????????? Provide professional advice or expertise to a client or organization ? ???????????????????????????????? Utilize your expertise to create innovative products or services The good news is that you can do whatever fits your interests. The possibilities are endless. And if you don't like one thing, try another. P.S. There are so many options out there. What did I miss? ? ? ? ? I'm Joseph Rios, the founder of Grad Student Academy. Follow me if you enjoyed this content. I write about research ?? and writing ??? to help PhD students and postdocs publish their work consistently.

AI tools may be lowering the quality of literature reviews. Here are 4 reasons why: ? ?????????????? ?????????? ?? Many AI programs help visualize connections between existing research, but they might not capture everything ?? You need to use multiple strategies to ensure an in-depth review ? ???????????????? ???????????????? ?? AI doesn't analyze the quality or validity of the research it shows ?? You need to critically evaluate each source to understand its strengths, weaknesses, and relevance to your topic ? ?????????? ???? ?????????????????????????? ?? Most AI programs only provide a high-level overview of studies ?? You need to read individual studies in-depth to grasp their methods, findings, and implications fully ? ?????????????????? ?????? ???????????????? ?? AI tools don't help you synthesize research ideas ?? You must synthesize the findings in the literature and build an argument for your own research ?? ?????? ???????????????? Don't get me wrong, AI tools can help sift through mountains of data. But are they truly making our reviews better? Critical thinking and human judgment are essential for catching nuances and potential biases that AI can miss. So, don't treat them as an end-all-be-all solution for your reviews, because they can't replace your critical thinking, in-depth analysis, and research synthesis skills. P.S. What do you think? ? ? ? ? I'm Joseph Rios, the founder of Grad Student Academy Follow me if you enjoyed this content. I write about research ?? and writing ??? to help PhD students and postdocs publish their work consistently.

Staring at a blank page and don't know what to write? Here are 3 simple strategies you can use to overcome writer's block: ? ???????????????????? ?????? ???????????????? ?? Sometimes, the best thing you can do for your writing is to take a step back. Go for a walk, listen to music, do some meditation – anything that helps you clear your head and come back to your project with fresh eyes. ? ?????????????? ?????? ?????????? ?????????? ?????????? ?? Perfectionism is the enemy of productivity! Don't get hung up on crafting every sentence into a masterpiece immediately. Just write – get your ideas down on paper (or screen) without judgment. You can always revise and edit later. ? ?????????? ???????? ?????? ??????-?????????????? ?????????? ?? Don't know where to begin? Identify the easier sections of your writing – the introductions, descriptions, or even just outlines. Tackling these first builds momentum and gets you into a writing groove, making the more challenging parts seem less difficult. P.S. What are your go-to methods for overcoming writer's block? Share your tips in the comments. ? ? ? ? I'm Joseph Rios, the founder of Grad Student Academy. Follow me if you enjoyed this content. I write about research ?? and writing ??? to help PhD students and postdocs publish their work consistently.

"??'?? ???????????? ???? ????????." This fear stopped me from submitting my research to top journals for a long time. If I could redo it over again, here's what I'd tell my younger self (and anyone else facing this fear): ???????? ???????????????????? ???????????????????? ?????????????????? ?? Take a chance! You never know if an acceptance is waiting for your work unless you try. ?????????????????? ???? ?????????? ?? Even if a paper isn't accepted, reviewer comments can strengthen your work for the next submission. ???????????????????? ???? ?????????????????????? ?? A rejection doesn't mean your research isn't valuable. It might just need a different audience. ?????????????? ???????? ?????????????? ???????? ?????????????? ???????? ?? Pushing yourself leads to incredible learning and achievement. You get better when learning from setbacks. ?????? ?????? ?????????? ?? We're afraid of what others may think of our failures, but no one cares. They're too busy worrying about themselves. ?? ?????? ???????????????? We've all faced fear of rejection. But, we shouldn't let it stop us from striving to be the best we can. I did for far too long and it stopped me from reaching my full potential. Don't make my mistake and submit your work to the best journals. P.S. How have you overcome the fear of rejection in submitting your research? ? ? ? ? I'm Joseph Rios, the founder of Grad Student Academy. Follow me if you enjoyed this content. I write about research ?? and writing ??? to help PhD students and postdocs publish their work consistently.

Struggling to make writing a daily practice? Here are 5 tips to get you writing more often: ? ???????????????? ???????? ?????????????? ???????? ?? Make writing a priority by blocking off uninterrupted time in your schedule every day. ? ?????????? ?????????? ???????? ???????? ?? Write as much as you can within a given time block and don't worry about editing. You can always edit later. ? ???????????? ???????? ???????????????????? ???? ?????????????? ?? Writing can be anything that helps you finish a paper like brainstorming, creating an outline, working on a table, and editing a paper, to name a few things. ? ?????? ???? ???? ?????????????????????????? ????Avoid continual tinkering and limit the time and effort you spend on a project by setting firm goals and deadlines. ? ?????????????????? ???????? ?????????? ???????????? ?? Writing a research paper is a long and hard process. Keep momentum by focusing on your small, daily efforts rather than the outcomes. Your good habits will compound. P.S. What other habits or practices have helped you to write more frequently? ? ? ? ? I'm Joseph Rios, the founder of Grad Student Academy . Follow me if you enjoyed this content. I write about research ?? and writing ??? to help PhD students and postdocs publish their work consistently.

Don't have access to a research article? Here are 9 tools & websites to get any paper for free: ? ?????????????????? ?? Unpaywall checks giant online libraries to see if they have a copy of the article you want. If they do, it unlocks it for free. ? ???????? ???????????? ???????????? ?? This website searches millions of articles and provides you with a link to free, full-text versions instantly. If a free version isn't available, they'll request it from the author for you. ? ???????????????????? ?? PaperPanda is a Chrome extension that finds the DOI of the paper you want, and then searches for it. ? ???????? ?? DOAJ, which stands for Directory of Open Access Journals, is a website that helps you find open access articles you can read without needing any money. ? ?????????? ?? Want to know what scientists are working on right NOW? arXiv provides a special peek at the latest discoveries before they're even published! ? ???????? ?? Core provides access to over 300 million open acess research papers from around the world. ? ????.???? ?? OA.mg is a search engine with over 250 million open access academic papers. ? ???????????? ?????????????? ????Want free articles on biomedical and life sciences? Then PubMed Central is for you. ? ???????? ?? A free online library of education research. Don't let paywalls stop your research!?? P.S. Which tools or websites did I miss? ?? Repost to help a friend ? ? ? ? I'm Joseph Rios, the founder of Grad Student Academy. Follow me if you enjoyed this content. I write about research ?? and writing ??? to help PhD students and postdocs publish their work consistently.

Stop pressuring PhD students to publish without proper training, you're giving them anxiety. A better approach would be to provide them with: ? ?????????????????? ?? Formal workshops can be very helpful in demystifying the writing and publication process. ? ???????????????????? ?? A mentor can provide one-on-one coaching to help students understand how to publish in their field. ? ?????????????? ???????????? ?? Writing groups are a great way for students to share their work, receive feedback, and gain support from peers. ? ???????????????? ?? Expert-led discussions on research and publishing can start a conversation around ethics and shifting the priority from quantity to quality. ? ????-???????????? ?????????? ?? Students are busy. Make it easy for them to get the help they need on their time. ?? ?????? ???????????????? Publishing can be long and hard.?Without proper training, students can get discouraged and lose hope in their abilities. So, instead of pushing them to publish, let's get them the supports they need to be successful. P.S. What did I miss? How else can we better support PhD students in publishing their research? ? ? ? ? I'm Joseph Rios, the founder of Grad Student Academy. Follow me if you enjoyed this content. I write about research ?? and writing ??? to help PhD students and postdocs publish their work consistently.

What are the secrets of highly productive researchers? Here are the 7 common habits I learned after reading Kenneth Kiewra's new book "Be a More Productive Scholar": ? ???????????????????? ???????? ???????????? ?? Productive scholars create structured routines and consistent work habits to maximize their research output ? ???????? ???????????????????? ?? Productive scholars utilize effective time management strategies, such as prioritizing tasks, breaking projects into smaller steps, and using tools like calendars and to-do lists ? ?????????????????????? ???????????????????????? ?? Productive scholars optimize their work environment to minimize distractions and foster focus ? ?????????????????????????? ?????????????? ?? Productive scholars build a network of collaborators and engage in regular communication with peers ? ????????-???????? ?? Productive scholars maintain physical and mental health through regular exercise, sufficient sleep, and stress management ? ???????? ?????????????? ?? Productive scholars set clear, achievable goals and regularly review their progress to maintain motivation and direction ? ???????????????????? ???????????????? ?? Productive scholars are dedicated to continual learning and are open to adapting their strategies ?? ?????? ???????????????? Achieving greater productivity as a researcher involves building a system where you plan strategically, manage your time efficiently, set clear goals, build collaborative networks, and maintain self-care. Success isn't something that occurs overnight but is a product of good habits that compound over time. For those interested in learning more about the strategies used by highly productive researchers, check out Dr. Kiewra's book. P.S. What habits do you think are missing from this list? ? ? ? ? I'm Joseph Rios, the founder of Grad Student Academy. Follow me if you enjoyed this content. I write about research ?? and writing ??? to help PhD students and postdocs publish their work consistently.

If all your professional dreams came true, would you be happy? Picture yourself at the pinnacle of your career. CEO of your dream company? Leading groundbreaking research? Winning recognition and awards from your peers? While those achievements are undeniably impressive, I've learned that: ? Happiness Is Multifaceted Career success is a fantastic motivator, but it's just one piece of the puzzle. Fulfilling relationships, personal growth, and a sense of purpose all contribute to overall well-being. ? Dreams Can Evolve What we strive for at the start of our careers may not be the same as what ignites us later. Staying open to new possibilities and allowing our aspirations to adapt is crucial. ? The Journey Matters The process of chasing your dreams can be just as rewarding as achieving them. The experiences you gain and the network you build shape your future, opening doors to unexpected opportunities and career paths you never even considered. ?? Key Takeaway We all dream about that perfect career: the one that ticks all the boxes – the fulfilling work, the recognition, the financial security. However, achieving those dreams may not guarantee everlasting happiness. Don't get me wrong, chasing professional dreams is essential, but it's also important to consider the broader picture of what brings you true fulfillment. What are your values? What kind of impact do you want to make? P.S. Have your professional aspirations shifted over time? What, besides career success, contributes to your overall happiness? What advice would you give your younger self about achieving happiness? P.P.S. This photo is of me looking at my wife the night before our wedding. ? ? ? ? I'm Joseph Rios, the founder of Grad Student Academy. Follow me if you enjoyed this content. I write about research ?? and writing ??? to help PhD students and postdocs publish their work consistently.

?? ANNOUNCEMENT: I launched The Hidden Curriculum - a weekly newsletter specifically designed to help YOU publish your research and advance your academic career! Join the 115+ scholars already subscribed and get: ? Actionable Tips & Strategies Every week, we'll tackle a crucial aspect of academic publishing, from crafting compelling manuscripts to identifying the right journals for your work. ? Valuable Resources We'll curate a treasure trove of resources - from AI tools, writing guides and peer-review insights to expert interviews and industry trends - all to equip you for publishing success. ? The Information You Want Every week, subscribers have the opportunity to pose questions that will be addressed in later issues of the newsletter. The goal is to help you as much as possible. ?? Sign up using the link in the comment section and you'll get the newsletter sent directly to your inbox, so you don't miss out. ? Repost and share with anyone interested in publishing their research. ? ? ? ? I'm Joseph Rios, the founder of Grad Student Academy. Follow me if you enjoyed this content. I write about research ?? and writing ??? to help PhD students and postdocs publish their work consistently.