Skip to content
PhD Tips podcast artwork

PODCAST · education

PhD Tips

by Cliff Freeman

Ok, so you've been accepted into a PhD program... Now what?! Here, you will find quick tips and insights of what a Phd program is, what it isn't, and what you should pay attention to on your journey. Enjoy!

Publisher-supplied feed metadata · PodParley refreshed Oct 17, 2026 · Source feed

Episodes

  1. #20 Dissertation Defense: Cliff Freeman Ph.D.

    On April 2, 2026, I successfully defended my dissertation: "Radical Solutions: To Be Young, Gifted in Teaching Mathematics" at Boston University's Earl Center for Learning and Innovation. In May, 2026 I will graduate with a PhD in Mathematics & Science Education. Connect with me at...

  2. #19 Keep A List of Research Questions

    Some of your best research ideas will come when you least expect them—and if you don’t capture them, they’re gone. In this episode, Cliff Freeman shares why every PhD student should keep a living research question list from the very start of their program. Learn how this simple habit can fuel…

    more
  3. #18 Chase Momentum Not Perfection

    Perfectionism might feel like a badge of honor, but in the dissertation process, it’s a momentum killer. In this episode, Cliff Freeman shares why chasing “perfect” before you share your work can cost you months—and how embracing early, imperfect drafts can speed up your progress. Learn why your...

  4. #17 Share Often

    You’ve finished your qualifying tasks—congrats! But what you do next could save you months… or cost you months. In this episode, Cliff Freeman shares why you should assemble your dissertation committee immediately and why every piece of substantive writing—no matter how rough—should go to your...

  5. #16 Qualifying Tasks

    The Qualifying Task. Oh what a process. At the Wheelock College of Education & Human Development at Boston University, we are required to complete two qualifying tasks: a literature review and a research study. In this episode, I will guide you through my journey of creating these scholarly works...

  6. #15 Year Four with Cliff Freeman

    Time flies. There will be a point in your PhD journey when you wonder "Where has the time gone?!!" When you reach year four, hopefully all of that time contributed to writing papers, making conference presentations, and finishing course work! That point in time happened for me this week. I felt a...

  7. #14 Seven PhD Tips by Cliff Freeman

    Embark on a transformative journey with today's riveting episode as we unveil seven indispensable tips for navigating the challenging realm of doctoral studies. Whether you're grappling with time management, seeking strategies to enhance your research prowess, or longing for guidance on…

    more
  8. #13 PhD Tips with Dr. Khadija Boyd

    Welcome to Season 2 of PhD Tips! Today we are joined by Dr. Khadija Boyd, a retired military veteran, and currently full-time scholar! Dr. Boyd joins the podcast with 5 tips for doctoral students ready to start THRIVING in their doctoral studies. Read some of Dr. Boyd's recently published…

    more
  9. PhD Tips Season 2

    Hi, my name is Cliff Freeman, and welcome to the second season of PhD Tips! Similar to last season, we will hear a variety of Ph.D. tips from real-life doctoral students who will eventually defend a dissertation at the end of their academic journey. In addition to current PhD students, we will...

  10. #12 Phd Tips with Dr. Andrea Curry

    If you are having a feeling of "I can't do this" on your journey to Ph.D., stop what you are doing and listen to this podcast featuring Dr. Andrea N. Curry. Dr. Curry shares key tips for current and future Ph.D. students. Please check out some of Dr. Curry's endeavors by clicking links in the...

  11. #11 PhD Tips with Dr. Kimberly Douglass

    In this episode of PhD Tips, Dr. Douglass shares invaluable tips about shifting self-defeating mindsets that show up on your Journey to PhD. Dr Douglass blesses us with advice and tips throughout the ENTIRE show! What a special treat! Make sure to connect with Dr. Douglass if you need any…

    more
  12. #10 Medical School Tips with Ophelia Okoh

    Ophelia Okoh is a medical student at Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. This episode is a more laid back episode as Ophelia and I are friends. She gives critical insights about the road to Dr in the medical field. In 7 years time, she will be on her way to being a successful physician…

    more
  13. #9 How to Read Long Theory Articles pt. 1/2

    In grad school and beyond, you will encounter lengthy theory papers. These papers will be like no other paper you have read before. How do you get through them? Thanks to Dr. Jonathan Rosa and Dr. Roy Perez we now have a blueprint. This is part 1 of 2 about how to read long theory articles. Link…

    more
  14. #8 PhD Tips with Rinice Sauls

    Today on PhD Tips, Rinice Sauls shares her experience as a second-year Ph.D. student. Her experience is unique in the sense that she has already experienced a successful career in K-12 as a practitioner and has begun her PhD program to learn more and eventually be successful in research. Find...

  15. #7 PhD Tips with Shaunesse Jacobs

    Shaunesse Jacobs, originally from Shreveport, Louisiana, is currently in the third year of her PhD program at Boston University's School of Theology. Shaunesse is on track to becoming a household name. As a 3rd year Ph.D. student, what drives her to continue the PhD are the contributions she…

    more
  16. #6 The Syllabus

    Welcome back to PhD Tips! This tip is for all students learning in academic institutions that require professors to hand out a syllabus at the beginning of the course! Today's Ph.D. Tip is from Cliff Freeman, a first-year Ph.D. student at Boston University studying Mathematics and Science...

  17. #5 PhD Tips with Lashae Williams

    Today on Ph.D. Tips, we are joined by Lashae William, a 2nd-year doctoral candidate at Drexel University studying clinical psychology with an emphasis in pediatric neuropsychology. Lashae's Tips for future PhD students are empowering and inspirational for anyone, but especially for students of…

    more
  18. #4 PhD Tips with Jay Withers

    Today, we have Jay Withers on PhD Tips! We spoke about course loads, day to day life as a PhD student, and what it feels like to be a PhD student during the pandemic. Jay Withers, originally from Little Rock Arkansaw, is a 2nd-year black graduate student in a doctoral program for Clinical...

  19. #3 PhD Tips With Dr. Sharde M. Davis

    Today on Ph.D. Tips, Dr. Sharde M. Davis shares her wisdom, insight, and Ph.D. Tips! The three major topics of discussion were Research Sabbaticals, Mentorship, and PhD Tips that will help students succeed. At the time of the recording, Dr. Davis is a tenure track assistant professor at the...

  20. #2 How to Start your Dissertation Now

    In this episode, Cliff Freeman, Phd student at Boston University, studying Math and Science, will share a tip that is helping him write his dissertation in year 0! If consistent, this tip enables PhD students who are transitioning into dissertation writing an easy one… your dissertation will...

  21. #1 Organized Research

    Today’s featured PhD Tip is getting your Research Organized! Cliff Freeman, a PhD student at Boston University, studying Math And Science, shares his experience using Zotero, an efficient way to keep track of all his research throughout his academic journey. Zotero is a open source and free to…

    more

Type above to search every episode's transcript for a word or phrase. Matches are scoped to this podcast.

Searching…

We're indexing this podcast's transcripts for the first time — this can take a minute or two. We'll show results as soon as they're ready.

No matches for "" in this podcast's transcripts.

Showing of matches

No topics indexed yet for this podcast.

Loading reviews...

ABOUT THIS SHOW

Ok, so you've been accepted into a PhD program... Now what?! Here, you will find quick tips and insights of what a Phd program is, what it isn't, and what you should pay attention to on your journey. Enjoy!

HOSTED BY

Cliff Freeman

CATEGORIES

Frequently Asked Questions

How many episodes does PhD Tips have?

PhD Tips currently has 21 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.

What is PhD Tips about?

Ok, so you've been accepted into a PhD program... Now what?! Here, you will find quick tips and insights of what a Phd program is, what it isn't, and what you should pay attention to on your journey. Enjoy!

How often does PhD Tips release new episodes?

PhD Tips has 21 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.

Where can I listen to PhD Tips?

You can listen to PhD Tips on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.

Who hosts PhD Tips?

PhD Tips is created and hosted by Cliff Freeman.
URL copied to clipboard!