How it works
The Wheel of PhD Life is an assessment tool I created, inspired by the traditional Wheel of Life used in coaching. I have aligned it with my S.M.A.R.T.P.h.D™ coaching framework to evaluate the 8 key areas to influence PhD success.
You will answer 24 questions, and in less than 5 minutes, you’ll uncover your strengths and weaknesses, identifying areas to focus on for a more successful, productive, and enjoyable PhD journey.
After completing the assessment, you’ll receive a personalised report with actionable tips you can apply Today, so you can thrive in the following areas:
Self-care
This category will explore how well you are prioritising well-being to prevent burnout
Mindset
This category will assess how resilient and growth-oriented your attitude is
Attainable Goals
This category will examine whether you are setting realistic milestones to maintain progress
Reflection
This category will evaluate how effectively you are reviewing your progress and making adjustments
Time-Management
This category will explore how efficiently you are using your time to balance your workload
Planning and Priorities
This category will assess how organised and focused you are on what matters most
Habits and Routines
This category will examine whether you are building sustainable daily practices
Drive
This category will evaluate how strong your motivation and momentum are
Here’s what PhD students are saying about the QUIZ
"I took the Wheel of PhD Life quiz and found it to be a positive and accurate tool for visualising the progress I've made over the past four years, as well as identifying areas where I still struggle. I've been working closely with Lucia throughout my PhD, and the quiz clearly reflected how key areas like building habits and setting attainable goals have become central to my journey—and how much I’ve truly grown in these aspects.
At the same time, it highlighted the ongoing need to improve in areas like self-care and time management. While it can feel daunting to address these 'weaker' areas, the quiz offers simple, practical steps to help you begin today. From experience, I now know that the hardest part is just getting started—once you do, so much becomes possible."
Valentina Dacosta
PhD Candidate, Heriot-Watt University, UK
