Turn your scattered efforts into consistent progress with the PhD Quick Start, a focused, action-oriented coaching system designed just for PhD students seeking clarity, structure, and sustainable growth.

This program is perfect for PhD students at any stage, from first-year newbies to dissertation writers, who want to create systems that make research, writing, and networking feel manageable and rewarding.

• Great for those looking to build strong productivity habits, practical research workflows, and a supportive academic ecosystem to ease overwhelm and speed up progress.

• Ideal for candidates who appreciate structure, accountability, and tools that help them gain momentum across milestones and daily tasks.

A streamlined format that prioritizes implementation and results in real time.

• 3 weekly sessions, 90 minutes each, delivered virtually for maximum flexibility.

• Individual coaching with structured homework between sessions to help you integrate what you learn immediately.

• Each session includes guided exercises, templates, and clear next steps, so you see your progress grow week after week.

This program focuses on four pillars that help your PhD journey shift from surviving to thriving: Habits, Support, Productivity, and Foundations.

• Develop sustainable daily and weekly routines that protect your deep work and writing time.

• Master practical digital tools and workflows that save you time and ease your research tasks.

• Build and activate a supportive network of mentors, peers, and professional connections.

• Create clear goals, values, and a multi-year roadmap that makes your PhD journey exciting and navigable.

A three-week transformation designed to deliver tangible results through guided coaching and hands-on implementation.

• Session 1: Build your foundation - values, SMART goals, PhD roadmap, and time-blocked schedules for focused research and writing.

• Session 2: Build your toolkit - Zotero, Notion, Scrivener, etc., file systems, literature review strategies, and backup/version control.

• Session 3: Build your network - relatioship mapping, conference networking, online presence, and peer accountability systems.

PhD Coach | Supporting doctoral students from first year through thesis completion | PhD progress by design, not by mistake!

My name is Maria Stefanidi.

Back in my postgraduate days in the UK, when dissertation season hit, I discovered something that would change everything. While my peers were drowning in stress and overwhelm, I built simple systems that helped me finish on time, feeling calm and even joyful. Soon, people started asking how I managed it!

After lots of experimentation with tools and extensive research into different strategies, I began helping my fellow Master's students complete their dissertations without constant frustration. Then, PhD students started reaching out, and that’s when I decided to start my coaching business. I quickly realized that PhD students truly benefit from a mix of structure, mindset, and strategy, so I’ve been focusing exclusively on supporting PhD researchers ever since.

My Philosophy: Progress Over Success

In my approach to PhD coaching, I emphasize one powerful word: progress.

Success is your finish line. That incredible moment when you hand in your thesis and become Dr. [Your Name]. But the real transformation happens during the journey toward that moment. While working with me, you’ll experience tangible growth, breakthrough challenging barriers, and build resilience that will serve you well beyond your PhD.

Your PhD journey is full of ups and downs; moments of breakthrough followed by periods of struggle. I’m here to help you design your progress rather than leave it to chance. Every small step forward, every breakthrough, every time you push through a challenge, that's what we celebrate together.

How I Support Your Journey

• Structured coaching strategies to keep you motivated and consistent through every stage of your doctoral journey

• Practical tools and productivity systems tailored specifically to the challenges of a PhD

• Mindset transformation that helps you recognize your capabilities and celebrate your growth

• One-on-one support designed around your unique needs

Progress will lead to success eventually, but first, let’s focus on helping you become even better than you were yesterday.

Ready to Design Your Progress?

Whether you’re just starting your first year or are close to finishing your thesis, I’m excited to walk alongside you during this transformative time.

Let’s make your progress intentional, visible, and unstoppable!