After trying to integrate all my writing into one app, I couldn't choose one.
As researchers our writing needs are diverse & so here's my #writing system for anyone who needs!
Our systems can be as simple or as complex as our needs are. So the best system is the one that works for you!
Here are all the apps I use for my writing & why I chose them:
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People in my field and lab mostly use LaTeX for most documents. Especially ones that need impeccable formatting/ with lots of in-text citations. Online app for
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For searchability, security(stored locally) and future-proofing (your notes should be accessible even if the app ceases to exist), I chose MarkDown(.md)
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For quick notes and creating databases of personal knowledge, I choose to have this in addition to Obsidian, because of the powerful and visual features:
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Collaborating with lots of people and sharing & editing docs quickly requires something cloud based and that everyone uses. Hence,
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For creating digital notes for online courses and for the joy of 'writing', I use the native app in my tablet:
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In addition to this, I maintain a research journal which has everything about my research. I'm trying to slowly digitize it to Obsidian - only as a searchable back up and not a replacement.
Because we all know writing with pen on paper is the best! ๐
This is not a *perfect* system, but the one works for me. Feel free to mix & match!
โก๏ธ Coming next: apps I use for time management and how I set them up! Stay tuned, tweeps๐
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Embarking on the PhD Journey? โจ
Congratulations & here are my top tips for beginners - a ๐งต
As a 4th year PhD student, I am sharing the top tips, which I received as a beginner, to help you navigate this rewarding yet demanding experience.
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A PhD is a whirlwind of ideas, experiments, and discoveries. A dedicated journal to document everything will be an invaluable resource throughout your journey.
โก๏ธCheck out my upcoming tweets on how to maintain a research journal
2๏ธโฃHave an Unofficial Board of Mentors:
In addition to your guide or doctoral committee, cultivate a network of trusted individuals who can advpice & support you.
โก๏ธThis amazing advice is from my mentor & friend @Maddie_Chera, & I have 6 people on my "board" now!๐
So this workshop is called the #Complexity72h where participants form teams and work on a project for 3 days and by the end of the 72 hours we need to upload a report of the work on ArXiv!
It's like a hackathon but for research writing!
How exciting, right?๐คฉ
And ya girl also got a research visit at an amazing lab!!๐
I'm absolutely thrilled about this. And anxious, of course.
It feels like the pieces are falling into place - after years of rejections. And man, do they happen in the most unexpected ways!โจ
PhD and #planning are inseparable. But more often than not, it NEVER works!
Either we procrastinate till we fall into anxiety or overwork to the point of burnout.
Here's a little๐งตfor procrastination-proof planning!
1๏ธโฃ Start by identifying the ๐ด๐ผ๐ฎ๐น. These questions will guide your literature collection and writing of the review:
โ Why this problem?
โ What has been done before and where's the research gap?
โ What other methods exist, and why could the chosen method fill the gap?
2๏ธโฃ๐๐ผ๐น๐น๐ฒ๐ฐ๐ relevant literature to answer the above questions by starting from a root paper, branch out and then narrowing down to your theme.
I'd suggest @rsrchrabbit for this step. (I've already made a reel about this and you can find it in my recent story/highlights.)
Zotfile lets you
- sync Zotero library across devices through any cloud storage you use.
- Extract annotations from pdfs annotated with other software!
- rename all the pdfs in any format you prefer, save & sync them with your cloud.
Whenever you add a new paper to synced Zotero collection, a new file is created in a linked Notion database.
Any note you create for that paper will be automatically sent to that file!
1. Maintain a #PhDjournal๐
Experiments, results, failures, meetings w/ guide, seminars, weekly plans, proposal brainstorming, talk prep - everything related to your PhD in one notebook.
(coursework & journal notes can be separate, but I used the same note. 1 note/year for me)
2. Read a lot of journal articles. A lot.
It is the best way to take your research forward!
(I wanted to try the #365papersChallenge, but couldn't keep up. I read way fewer papers than I want myself to. This could be my sign from the universe to step up!) #journalclub