Workshops for
(Ph.D) Students
I empower (Ph.D.) students to make themselves a priority and increase the baseline of their wellbeing and productivity. My approach is based on a combination of pragmatic mindfulness techniques and project management tools.

Workshops for
(Ph.D) Students
I empower (Ph.D.) students to make themselves a priority and increase the baseline of their wellbeing and productivity. My approach is based on a combination of pragmatic mindfulness techniques and project management tools.
INSTITUTIONS I WORK(ED) FOR









Would you like to support your (Ph.D.) students to...
- Learn a sustainable and healthy way of managing stress, external pressure and deadlines?
- Work efficiently and complete their studies or their Ph.D. within the planned timeframe?
- Overcome imposter syndrom, self-doubt and become self-confident, independent researchers?
- Acquire self-management tools to get organized, stay motivated, and overcome blockages and setbacks?
My workshops for your (Ph.D.) students
- Please combine the following workshops into a package that suits your students' needs.
- The content varies depending on the participants (Bachelor/Master/Ph.D. students).
- Workshops are available in English or German.
- All workshops are conducted online.
Workshop Overview
EFFECTIVE STRESSMANAGEMENT
For: Students and Ph.D. Students
Duration: 1,5 - 2 hours
Many (Ph.D.) students are highly motivated when starting out. But while their minds are buzzing with brilliant ideas, they often rely on external pressure and deadlines to get started.
Although this way of working is socially accepted, it is a survival strategy. By focusing on the threatening deadline, we get into a highly alert state. Our adrenaline levels rise, the body contracts and the mind focuses with laser-sharp accuracy on the source of danger: The next deadline.
This way of working brings quick results in short periods of stress, but it is unsuitable for a long-distance marathon like completing a Bachelor’s and a Master’s degree or writing a Ph.D. thesis.
Shifting to more sustainable sources of energy and maintaining physical, mental and emotional health is absolutely critical in order to stay productive on the long run.
This workshop is based on the following methods and concepts:
- Focusing – to improve concentration
- Mindfulness Tools – to raise self-awareness
- Relaxation Techniques – to relax body and mind
As a result of this workshop, the participants will be able to:
- Understand how stress is derailing them and how to get back on track.
- Work consistently and steadily on their current work assignments.
- Get work done with a hands-on attitude and with healthy pragmatism.
- Reduce stress with simple relaxation exercises.
OVERCOMING PROCRASTINATION
For: Students and Ph.D. Students
Duration: 4 hours
Contrary to popular beliefs, procrastination is usually not due to a lack of motivation or discipline – quite the opposite.
Procrastination is often the result of prolonged periods of stress and pressure. An exhausted mind acts like a magnifying glass for problems and challenges. Internal and external pressure causes many (Ph.D.) students to freeze or work on tasks that feel less threatening but also don’t yield results.
Deadlines and external pressure cannot always be avoided. But it is possible to establish a new approach to the daily demands and to resolve the INTERNAL pressure.
In this workshop, we will look at a variety of short-term, mid-term and long-term solutions that can be applied to overcome procrastination.
This workshop is based on the following methods and concepts:
- Mindful awareness – to recognize unhelpful patterns in real time
- Somatic tools – to self-regulate under pressure
- Reframing – to change unhelpful mental patterns
As a result of this workshop, the participants will be able to:
- Recognize and understand their specific pattern of procrastination.
- Eliminate the thoughts that lead to procrastination.
- Stay calm and productive even when under pressure.
- Focus on the most important tasks.
OVERCOMING RUMINATION AND SELF-DOUBT
For: Students and Ph.D. Students
Duration: 4 hours
Many (Ph.D.) students find it hard to switch off the constant stream of thoughts around their work, which is often accompanied by a subtle layer of self-doubt.
This constant mental activity makes it not only very hard to relax and recharge the batteries. It also reduces clarity, focus and concentration and thus impacts productivity.
In this workshop, the participants learn simple tools to calm the mind and find inner stability and peace.
This workshop is based on the following methods and concepts:
- Focusing – to improve concentration
- Mindpower – to stop unhelpful thoughts as they come
- Mindfulness meditation – to access peace and silence whenever needed
As a result of this workshop, the participants will be able to:
- Recognize rumination and self-doubt as they arise
- Let go of intrusive thoughts and find clarity
- Calm the mind with simple relaxation exercises
- Implement a Mindfulness meditation practice if they wish to do so
EFFECTIVE PROJECT MANAGEMENT
For: Students and Ph.D. students
Duration: 4 hours
“So many tasks! I don’t know where to start!”, is a common challenge when it comes to preparing for exams, writing homework assignments and certainly when facing a Ph.D. thesis. To eliminate overwhelm and get (the right) things done, it is essential to have a clear goal, a long and midterm-plan and to be organized on a day-to-day basis.
In this workshop we determine the hallmarks of good project management and the pragmatic implementation of the plan.
As we go through the different steps, participants are invited to implement them for their own project. As a result of the workshop, each participant has a solid plan and the tools to continue planning. We will also discuss how to deal with delays and other obstacles that might come up during the implementation phase, so that participants are equiped to navigate challenges as they come up.
This workshop is based on the following methods and concepts:
- Project management tools – to structure and prioritize tasks
- Agile methods – to plan in the face of uncertainty
- Mindful awareness – to stay focused and flexible with implementation
As a result of this workshop, the participants will be able to:
- Have a clear framework to plan out their projects.
- Implement the plan they have created during the workshop.
- Identify and avoid potential stumbling blocks along the way.
- Navigate delays or other challenges skillfully.
RESILIENCE TRAINING
– RAISING FROM THE ASHES LIKE A PHOENIX
For: Ph.D. Students only
Duration: 4 hours
What if the important laboratory experiment doesn’t work, the field research doesn’t start or the funding gets declined? Uncertainties in the research process cause many doctoral students to slip into worriying and catastrophizing.
Trial and error is part of the creative research process, and overcoming the emotional difficulties that come with it is the personal and scientific maturation process that doctoral candidates go through during their dissertation.
In this workshop, we will address both the low-level worrying and tension that often accompanies the research process, as well as the case of “failure”. We will challenge the underlying mental pattern and address the habit of worrying. We will reframe failure and focus on the growth potential in setbacks.
The ultimate goal of this workshop is to equip the participants with a growth mindset and the tools to master obstacles with confidence.
This workshop is based on the following methods and concepts:
- Mindful awareness – to recognize the habit of worrying
- Self-compassion – to generate empathy with their own difficulties
- Reframing – to draw attention to opportunities and possibilities
- Gratitude – to develop a more positive mindset
As a result of this workshop, the participants will be able to:
- Deal with uncertainty with competence and confidence.
- Focus on possibilites and solutions in the face of failure.
- Overcome drawbacks and difficulties with grace.
- Approach work with an optimistic attitude.
COMMUNICATING WITH CONFIDENCE
For: Ph.D. Students only
Duration: 2 hours
“If I take on all these tasks, I will never get my thesis done, but if I say no,…”.
The structures in the academic field make it challenging for many Ph.D. students to speak up for themselves. This is especially true when it comes to communicating skillfully when the workload becomes too much. As a result, they struggle to finish their Ph.D. thesis within the set timeframe.
Clear and confident communication is the basis of a successful Ph.D. thesis. This workshops helps Ph.D. students to develop the confidence to communicate their needs skillfully and in a way that deepens the work relationships.
This workshop is based on the following methods and concepts:
- Mindful awareness – to acknowledge limiting beliefs
- Reframing – to get another take on communicating needs
- Communication-tools – to communicate effectively
As a result of this workshop, the participants will be able to:
- Communicate with clarity and empathy.
- Set boundaries with kindness and respect.
- Resolve conflicts and establish positive professional relationships.
- Manage and express difficult emotions in a professional manner.
CLOSING THE TABS
- SWITCHING OFF AFTER WORK
For: Students and Ph.D. Students
Duration: 8 hours
Many (Ph.D.) students jump back and forth between countless tabs during their working hours. And on a mental level, many applications and processes are running in order to process the immense amount of knowledge and data.
But what happens when we close the tabs, shut down the applications and close the laptop? Most of the time, the processes continue to run in the background.
In this workshop, students experience the enormous power of silence in the midst of their creative process. Using guided mindfulness exercises, they immerse themselves in an experience that is foreign to many: peace of mind.
The participants are given practical tools to access silence at any time throughout a busy working day.
As a result of this workshop, the participants will be able to:
- Use the creative power of silence for their research.
- Calm down the analysing mind when necessary.
- Alternate between phases of creativity and phases of regeneration.
SELF-CARE FOR PRODUCTIVITY
For: Students and Ph.D. Students
Duration: 4 hours
Constant availability, flexible working hours and working from a desk at home make it difficult to find some distance from work. When the workload increases, self-care and time to recharge the batteries is often the first thing that goes overboard.
In order to remain productive in the long run, it is absolutely crucial to learn how to balance work and life, recharge the batteries and maintain a good physical, mental and emotional health.
This workshop addresses the following topics:
- Self-care is not selfish
- How to create boundaries between work and private life
- The importance of undisturbed sleep
- Why keeping a healthy diet helps in times of stress
- How regular workouts reduce stress
- How to carve out me-time in a busy day
- Why hobbies and social contacts are crucial
Participants are guided through a variety of mindfulness practices and visualizations to improve self-awareness and emotional intelligence. The aim of this workshop is to help the participants prioritize their well-being in order to stay productive.
As a result of this workshop, the participants will be able to:
- Separate work and life in a healthy way
- Establish routines that create space for hobbies and social contacts
- Recharge their batteries without feeling guilty
- Mentally retreat from work and find peace and quiet after a full working day
Hire Christine for a workshop or coaching
for your (Ph.D.) students
Message me for further information and let’s set up a call.