This week, hosts Arun and Julia share personal experiences and practical guidance on handling criticism effectively. They emphasize the universality of criticism and the need to recognize its emotional impact, advising listeners to step away and regain perspective when it stings. The episode provides insights on embracing feedback by considering the reviewer's perspective, depersonalizing criticism, and maintaining professionalism in responses. Additionally, Arun and Julia stress the importance of seeking feedback from trusted sources who have their best interests at heart, equipping listeners with valuable strategies for transforming criticism into a tool for personal and professional growth.

In Season 2 Episode 8, hosts Arun and Julia discuss the critical issue of plagiarism, shedding light on its various forms and offering valuable tips on how to avoid it. They emphasize that plagiarism involves taking someone else's work or ideas and presenting them as one's own. Arun and Julia caution against the serious consequences of plagiarism, citing examples of individuals who have faced academic and professional repercussions for this unethical practice. They highlight the importance of proper referencing, paraphrasing, and the use of multiple sources to avoid plagiarism.

The hosts then delve into practical advice for avoiding plagiarism, focusing on mastering the art of paraphrasing. They share strategies such as using quotation marks and references when copying text for later paraphrasing and suggest speaking aloud to facilitate rephrasing. They stress the importance of seeking assistance from colleagues when needed. Arun provides a step-by-step guide to paraphrasing, emphasizing the need to change word order, form, and use synonyms while preserving the original meaning. They also discuss the importance of indicating direct quotes, maintaining author names and page numbers, and the judicious use of direct quotes.

The episode goes on to stress the significance of using a range of sources to enrich one's academic work. Arun and Julia advocate for synthesizing ideas from various sources rather than merely listing them. They offer practical tools and techniques to expand one's source list and effectively manage references. The hosts also touch upon the ethical issue of self-plagiarism, emphasizing the importance of indicating previous dissemination of work. Lastly, they offer insights on plagiarism checkers, advising listeners to rely on their writing skills while cautioning against free services that may compromise data privacy.

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In the latest episode of "How to PhD," hosts Arun and Julia discuss practical strategies for graduate students to supplement their income during their doctoral studies. As the cost of living continues to rise, finding additional sources of cash becomes crucial. Arun and Julia, who were fortunate to have fully funded positions during their own doctorates, share their insights and suggestions for both on-campus and off-campus opportunities.

Within the university, they recommend exploring traditional routes such as teaching assistantships, offering lectures or seminars, and even research assistant roles. They also highlight the potential to earn extra income through exam marking, lab demonstrations, and invigilation work. Beyond the campus, Arun and Julia discuss part-time employment, freelancing options like proofreading and tutoring, and joining recognized panel services as a field expert. They stress the importance of considering the impact of these income-generating activities on one's CV and future career goals, as well as being diligent about payment methods and time commitments.

The episode offers a comprehensive guide for graduate students seeking ways to make extra money during their PhD studies. Arun and Julia's advice spans opportunities within and outside the university, with a strong emphasis on balancing these activities with academic responsibilities and career aspirations.

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