Suppose you want to learn how to bake bread. You look for someone to teach you and find Charles, a wiry, enthusiastic master baker with traditional checkered baker’s trousers who is eager to get started with you. He has won various awards, been featured in professional magazines, and presents at…
“What’s in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell just as sweet.” Julia indicates with this world-famous line that a name is just a label and that a name, in itself, means nothing. Are names important? In the context of Romeo and Juliet,…
The end of your PhD is looming, so lots of practical matters will arise. Many PhD students have the impression that once the Thesis Committee has received your thesis, they can take time off till the day of their viva. Unfortunately, I am really sorry to disappoint you…. You still…
Maybe it is the time of the year, maybe it’s the era, maybe a combination. Fewer students have finished their PhD the last couple of years. One cause is Corona, stress is another one. I also hear from many PhD students that they are at the end of their tether.…
In the Netherlands we have the expression: ‘Idleness is the devil’s pillow.’ Meaning that by doing nothing you gain nothing. I disagree! Why? Really simple: it is so important to recharge, not do anything, relax, recuperate. Because the more energy you have, the easier your PhD will flow. Are you…
2022 has begun. 2021 was for many PhD students a really hard year. Almost 2 years in the middle of a pandemic has left its mark. And one day for sure can be harder than the other. Is this day an awful day? Do you know that laughing is a…
