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Category: General Advice

How to Pass your Comprehensive Exams

How to Pass your Comprehensive Exams

Phyllis L. F. RippeyOctober 3, 2025May 18, 2026

by Vera Oko

Anyone who has pursued or started a PhD is familiar with the rite of passage and the academic milestone known as the Comprehensive Examination. But, what is a comprehensive exam? What makes it so daunting? How can one navigate this critical phase and find success?… Read More “How to Pass your Comprehensive Exams”

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Glossary of Common Academic Acronyms and Jargon (Canada & U.S.)

Glossary of Common Academic Acronyms and Jargon (Canada & U.S.)

Phyllis L. F. RippeyOctober 3, 2025May 18, 2026

Below is a list of some common acronyms and jargon academics tend to throw around. Send us an email to add more terms that made you scratch your head when you first heard them.

2–2, 2–3 (Teaching Load)
Shorthand for the number of courses a professor teaches per semester (or per term).… Read More “Glossary of Common Academic Acronyms and Jargon (Canada & U.S.)”

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Five Online Tools for Doing Social Research

Five Online Tools for Doing Social Research

Phyllis L. F. RippeyApril 25, 2025May 18, 2026

by Vera Oko

Since the late 20th century—and especially with the rise of Google, new technologies, and AI—the academic landscape has evolved to offer significant support to writers and researchers through a variety of tools, websites, and software. These advancements provide ease and assistance throughout the writing process, from crafting introductions and developing research questions to organizing ideas, structuring conclusions, and managing citations.… Read More “Five Online Tools for Doing Social Research”

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16 Tips for Succeeding in Graduate School

16 Tips for Succeeding in Graduate School

Farinaz BasmechiAugust 16, 2024May 18, 2026

by Farinaz Basmechi

Embarking on graduate school can seem overwhelming. It necessitates mastering the art of multitasking within strict time constraints. To assist you in this journey and enhance your CV, here are 16 tips designed to simplify your life as a graduate student.… Read More “16 Tips for Succeeding in Graduate School”

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Taking Feedback from your Supervisor

Taking Feedback from your Supervisor

Phyllis L. F. RippeyJuly 9, 2019May 18, 2026
  • Read all of the feedback you get before drawing conclusions, starting to address any concerns, or giving up.
  • Spell check before handing any work over, but also proof reed yourselves because spiel cheque canned catch everything. Get a peer, partner, or other person to read your work; if it doesn’t make sense to them, rework it.
  • … Read More “Taking Feedback from your Supervisor” Read More
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