people who get it.
strategies that work.
grad student budget-friendly.
have you ever wished for a place where you could be honest about how hard grad school is, and get actual, thoughtful support?
do you feel isolated from your peers, colleagues, campus, or field? or like the only person who is struggling right now?
are you looking for a space to learn more about the Actual Work of being a scholar (reading, writing, professionalisation, and the other million things you need to do!!) without having to feel embarrassed about not knowing how to do it yet?
then the thrive phd community might just be for you!
who is this for?
this is not a “post your mega to do list every day! only people who write 500 words a day get praise!” community. this is a “i had to restart every 2 hours because my brain was on the fritz but i got some of what i wanted to done, and a plan for tomorrow” community.
it’s not that we don’t finish things (we do! dissertations! courses! side gigs! creative projects! articles! books! full time jobs!) or that we don’t celebrate monster days of good work or good achievement (we do! you should see us celebrate a defense!). it’s that we know that there are all kinds of days - high word count, high distraction, high rest, high fun. and we value them all.
we are just as proud of the twenty minute walk you went on because you just could not stand to be at your desk for a second longer than the twenty minutes that pushed you over the edge of a full chapter draft. there’s room for the human, the grad student, and all the other yous, too.
“I think of the Thrive community as a better, healthier social media, one where I actually make connections and get to support and be supported by others. It’s more welcoming than I can get across, and it’s been an absolute lifeline during the pandemic.”
what do you get?
unlike groups organized by grad students, for grad students, i’m a professional! and i take my role as the community steward seriously. i do the work of organizing, managing, and keeping the community going so that you can just show up and take part in the ways that support you. and you get all the benefits of my experience as a coach, coming through in resources like:
a huge library of information about how to be a grad student to search whenever you need some support or inspiration
12 core curriculum units about things like writing, stress management, mentorship, and project management
new articles arriving every week for current, useful advice and tools
an accountability group that you can opt into and post daily updates on what you're getting done for visibility, support, and encouragement
weekly coaching calls, live and recorded, where you can submit questions and get answers on your most pressing questions
regular retreats to help carve out special time for your deep focus progress
work togethers every week day - where you can join the chat and work with others for that little extra boost of fun and community!
and all kinds of special events - book clubs! seminar series! hobby hours! and more!
“Katy is not only incredibly kind, but she also really “gets” what this PhD journey is like, and she’s able to provide support and recommend things to try at all stages along the way. ”
what does it cost me?
listen - i was a grad student on a stipend. i take your investment - money and time - seriously!
the community is $5/month USD - and you manage your own billing so you can come and go as you please, no questions asked! you can also save if you already know that this is for you, and sign up for a whole year at once.
time-wise - the community is flexible! there are people who spend a few hours a day, working together, some who drop in a few times a week to check in and post about their progress, and some that read and watch everything and don't post as much. you get to decide (and adjust!) your participation level according to your needs at the moment - no pressure or deadlines of things you MUST do, but plenty of options for things you COULD experiment with, try, or join.
“It has been a game changer for me. Especially in these covid times, where we are lacking so much of the in-person interactions we used to have at the university. I am also a student on a budget and I think that I get plenty for my buck!”
if that sounds good to you - we can't wait to meet you, and cheer you on as you do your scholar stuff AND your human! choose your plan below and come on in! and if you have questions, please reach out!
Frequently Asked Questions!
Who can join?
grad students - anywhere around the world, in any discipline! we have caretakers, full time students, part time students, students on leave, students about to start, and all sorts of other groups and identities, too. most of the content is geared towards those in PhD programs, but many people have found it useful during their masters programs as well. if you are a recent grad, a post doc, or precariously employed, or otherwise not described here, reach out over email and we’ll see if you are a good fit for the network.
How private can I be?
as private as you’d like! the community is run on a platform called Mighty Networks, which is not tied to any social media site, nor does it require an .edu address. we have many people in the network who do not use their full, or even their real names, or are otherwise private about where they’re located, what program they’re in, or what their research is. you set your own username, location information, and profile images (should you choose one) on the site, and i’m always happy to help consult with you if you have specific concerns.
How often do I hear from you, the coach?
most days!!! I do try and take weekends off to practice the sustainability i preach, but i love hanging out in the network. i host a one hour work together most week days, and often am popping in and out throughout the rest of the day too. plus i host our weekly coaching calls, and am posting new content and material all the time.
Can I come and go?
yes! unlike previous versions of the community, we now have open enrollment. sign up anytime, cancel anytime - and you handle it all through your account with no emails or forms needed. memberships can be paid for with a monthly subscription, or you can sign up for a year in advance and get two months free! join for a few months, take time off when you need, or hang out for the long haul - you control it.
Questions? Let’s talk.
Nervous about coaching? Not sure if this is the tool you need? Want to meet me first to see if we click? Have a question and just need to talk to some one?
Schedule a 30 minute consultation - we'll talk about where you are, where you want to go, and what you are looking for in terms of coaching to see if we are a good fit! No pressure, just more information.
Do not worry about “wasting my time” with an appointment - these are here for you!