The PhD Planner: The Essential Tool for Clarity in the Chaos
If you’ve ever felt like your PhD journey is equal parts discovery, doubt, and organized chaos—you’re not alone.
When I was working toward my doctorate, I often found myself navigating research deadlines, teaching loads, career uncertainty, and more existential questions than I care to admit. I had calendars, sticky notes, digital reminders, and to-do lists... but nothing that brought it all together. Nothing that acknowledged the full complexity of being a PhD student today.
That’s why we created The PhD Planner.
Not just another academic calendar, this is a purpose-built system that helps you manage your research, organize your life, and think strategically about your future—all in one place. And it’s now entering its third year, refined by feedback from hundreds of PhDs and grad students around the world.
Why This Planner Exists
The PhD journey is unlike any other. It’s long, nonlinear, and full of hidden milestones. Without the right tools, it’s easy to lose sight of where you’re headed—or worse, burn out along the way.
The PhD Planner was built to change that. It helps you stay focused, grounded, and proactive at every step, whether you're in your first semester or preparing your defense.
Built to Help You Succeed:
It includes:
S.M.A.R.T. Goal Setting – Turn big ambitions into achievable plans with our structured framework.
Research Experiment Tracking – Plan, document, and reflect on your research workflow.
Thesis Planning Tools –
Create a clear, chapter-by-chapter structure
Define research questions and hypotheses
Map timelines and draft milestones
Integrate advisor feedback checkpoints
Organize your entire thesis from start to finish
Publication Planning Pages –
Draft outlines for research articles
Plan submission timelines and journal targets
Track revisions, co-author tasks, and resubmissions
Document experimental objectives and anticipated results
Career Development Guides – Explore 37+ PhD-level career paths with action checklists and self-assessments.
Skill Tracking – Keep a running list of technical, analytical, and transferable skills you’re developing.
Daily, Weekly, and Monthly Calendars – Stay on top of deadlines without losing sight of your bigger vision.
Creative & Reflection Space – Brainstorm, doodle, reflect—because some of your best ideas will come unplanned.
And for 2025–2026, we’ve added a durable hardcover, full-color interior, updated citation formats, and expanded content inspired by user feedback.
Planning with Purpose
We live in an era where AI is accelerating research faster than ever. That’s exciting—but also overwhelming. Technology may change, but what doesn’t change is the importance of clarity, intention, and strategy.
This planner is designed to be more than a tool—it’s a companion that helps you move forward with purpose.
If you’re a doctoral student looking for direction, or a mentor searching for a gift that actually helps, I hope this planner becomes part of your journey. We built it with you in mind—because we’ve been where you are.