In this video I’m sharing my must-have PhD tools—the stuff that genuinely keeps me organized, sane(ish), and moving forward when research, teaching, and life are all happening at the same time. I walk through the systems and apps I actually use for planning, note-taking, and writing, plus a few little “quality of life” tools that make a huge difference when you’re trying to focus in chaotic environments or keep your workflow streamlined. I chat about how I use Notion as my main hub for research notes and keeping track of everything, GoodNotes for digital note-taking (especially when I want to handwrite), and ChatGPT as a support tool when I need help brainstorming or getting unstuck. I also share two practical favorites: Loop earplugs for staying focused when the world is loud, and the Rongta PN81 portable thermal printer—aka no ink, just efficiency—for quick prints without the usual printer drama. If you’re starting a PhD or you just want your grad school workflow to feel less stressful, these are the tools I keep coming back to.