Across Australia, many new PhD students are gearing up to start their studies. Welcome aboard! Starting something new, especially a PhD, can be daunting, but connecting with your community can make the transition smoother. Online communities, such as world.edu, are great resources, but don’t forget about your local academic environment at your institution. If you’re new to the Australian National University (ANU), we’ll be hosting a welcome lunch on February 13th at College House. Our Nobel Prize-winning Vice-Chancellor, Brian Schmidt, will be delivering the keynote address — be sure to book early so you don’t miss out!
My sister-in-law, Bek, recently embarked on a university degree later in life, and we’re all incredibly proud of her. Bek’s already achieved so much in her life, from balancing multiple jobs and incredible travel experiences to raising two wonderful children (shout-out to Angus and Abi!). At over 40 years old, Bek is certainly not alone in pursuing a degree at this stage of life; I’ve met many brave individuals who’ve started their PhDs in their 50s and 60s. However, returning to university after some time away presents a unique set of challenges.
Becoming a student again after a long break can feel overwhelming. You might be told that you don’t know certain things, and there will be pressure to perform. Thankfully, Bek will have the comfort of structure in her undergraduate program. This isn’t the case with a PhD, where you are suddenly in the driver’s seat.
As I’ve helped Bek navigate the world of academic life, I’ve realized that there are some very practical issues that many people face when returning to school. One question she asked me was for a shopping list of essential tools and software for academic writing. The list grew so long and detailed that I decided it would be easier to write a full post. Here’s my advice on the hardware, software, and apps that can make research and writing more manageable — written for Bek but hopefully useful for anyone else returning to academia.
Laptop Essentials
While your university might provide a desktop computer, it’s wise to invest in your own laptop. I use a lightweight, portable laptop that I can easily carry to libraries or workshops to take notes. The screen is small, so I connect it to a larger monitor at home or in my office when I need to write. When purchasing a laptop, take your bag with you to the store to test how easily it will fit.
The computing power you need depends on your research focus, but for general writing tasks, you don’t need a powerful machine. Instead, prioritize ease of backup and smooth transitions between various Wi-Fi networks. If possible, choose a laptop and phone that work well together — using your phone as a hotspot for internet access in cafes is one of the best features for a researcher on the go.
Reading and Writing Tools
As an academic, reading and writing go hand in hand. Most e-readers are designed for books that are read sequentially. But as a scholar, you need the ability to look forward and refer back while keeping your place. Paper was once my preferred medium, but with updates to apps like Kindle, you can now flip pages and hold your place — a significant improvement. Kindle is my go-to reading app, but there are other options worth exploring.
In terms of devices, I have several tools for reading: two iPads (one large, one small), a phablet iPhone, and a Kindle. While this may seem excessive, reading is vital to my work. If I were on a tighter budget, I’d likely use a large phone to serve double duty.
I’m often reminded by my mentor that “it’s not proper academic writing unless you have a pen in your hand.” Reading and writing are closely linked, so it’s important to be equipped for both. Here are the types of documents you’ll need to manage:
- Academic papers
- Miscellaneous Word documents and PDFs
- Physical handouts
- Web pages
Each type of document requires different tools.
Academic Papers and References
For academic papers, you’ll need reference management software to store, organize, and cite sources. I use Papers 3 for Mac, but Zotero is a great free alternative. Zotero integrates with your browser, making it easy to add PDFs to your academic library.
Miscellaneous Files (MS Word, PDFs, etc.)
During your academic journey, you’ll receive countless documents in various formats. To handle PDFs efficiently, I recommend PDF Expert for Mac, which offers robust editing tools — including a red-pen feature for annotation. You can sync PDF Expert across multiple devices, reducing the risk of working with different versions of the same file.
For physical documents, it’s essential to digitize them as soon as possible. I use my phone to take photos of handouts and send them directly to Evernote, a cross-platform note-taking app that allows you to tag and organize documents. Evernote also supports audio, so if you’re attending a lecture or seminar, you can record the speaker and attach the recording to your notes.
Web Pages
Web pages can be particularly challenging to track and organize. To capture content across various platforms, I use Pocket, an app that works in any browser or social media app. Like Evernote, Pocket is cross-platform and allows you to tag and organize your collection.
Note-Taking and Organizing Your Ideas
Effective note-taking is an art, and there are several strategies to ensure your digital notes are useful and easy to retrieve. I use Evernote on my iPad to take notes during workshops or conferences. The iPad is ideal for capturing photos of slides, written notes, and even audio recordings. I also use an Apple Pencil to write directly on the iPad, which has made note-taking enjoyable again.
I’ve found that making notes forces me to engage with the material more deeply. Even if I never refer to them again, the act of writing helps me retain and understand the information better.
Other Useful Apps
Beyond the basics, there are a few additional tools that might help with your research or writing. For example, if you’re researching a topic like fentanyl detox arizona, you might need specialized software to help you track articles, sources, and notes related to your project. Keep in mind that the best tools are the ones that fit seamlessly into your workflow.
In conclusion, whether you’re updating your toolkit or starting fresh, this shopping list is a great starting point for returning to school. There’s so much more to explore, and I’d love to hear what tools and apps have worked best for you. Let’s continue the conversation in the comments!
