Time Management Essentials
for Doctoral Candidates and Postdocs

4-weeks self-learning course for
doctoral candidates and postdocs

By Dr. Matthias Mayer, young scientists academy

WHAT’S IN This course?    
  • Approx. 5 hours of video content (English)
  • Modular 4-week course structure
  • 12 months of access, incl. updates
  • Practical tools, methods & inspiration
  • Downloadable worksheets & handouts
  • Based on a proven 2-day live seminar
  • Online access anytime, anywhere
  • Suggested: Learn with a buddy for more motivation

Benefits for Your Institution

  • Scalable & cost-effective
  • A strong addition to your existing programs
  • No need to organize seminars or book rooms
  • Flexible licensing: suitable for small groups and large cohorts
  • GDPR-compliant – no IT integration required on your side
  • Saves time, effort, and budget
  • Supervisors can actively recommend or require participation

Content 4-Weeks-Course

Here’s a summary of the key topics covered in the course.
The content follows a clear, practice-proven structure.

1

Week 1 – Structure & Direction

  1. 1
    Welcome & the 3 areas of time management
  2. 2
    Daily lists & “Kiss your frog” method
  3. 3
    SMART goals & OKRs
  4. 4
    Create your master plan
  5. 5
    Deep relaxation (daily exercise)
2

Week 2 – Priorities & Focus

  1. 6
    Some personal comments & dealing with supervisors
  2. 7
    The Eisenhower method
  3. 8
    Pareto principle: 20/80 focus
  4. 9
    Say "No" effectively
  5. 10
    Deal well with stress & control your inner state
3

Week 3 – Productivity & Flow

  1. 11
    Know your personal energy curve
  2. 12
    Focus & deep work
  3. 13
    Design your ideal workday
  4. 14
    Make decisions!
  5. 15
    Plan weekly
4

Week 4 – Routines & Sustainability

  1. 16
    Choose the right tools
  2. 17
    Manage multiple projects & finetune your system
  3. 18
    Build helpful habits & end procrastination
  4. 19
    Reflect & plan your next steps and the test-phase

After the course

  • Start of a four-week implementation phase to reinforce new habits
  • Certificate of participation available after 80% course completion

Benefits for Your Researchers

  • Immediate access – no need to wait for a seminar
  • Self-paced, practice-oriented, in English
  • Pre-structured as a 4-week learning path
  • 12 months of flexible access
  • Tailored to the realities of academic research
  • Methods for focus, planning & self-management
  • Directly applicable in everyday research
  • Interactive with practical exercises
  • Encourages active self-reflection
  • Noticeable improvements already during the course
  • Certificate of participation after 80% completion

Flexible Licensing Options for Institutions

To accommodate different institutional needs and administrative preferences, we offer two flexible licensing models. You can choose between a per-user license, which includes individual access tracking and optional certificates of completion, or a flat-rate license, ideal for larger groups and minimal administrative overhead. Both options provide 12 months of course access and allow your researchers to learn at their own pace. Whether you serve a small international cohort or a large graduate program, we’ll help you implement the model that best fits your structure and goals.

 

  • Access Model
  • Tracking
  • Certificate
  • Administration
  • Ideal For
  • Access Period

Per-User License

  • Individual logins per participant
  • Usage tracking possible
  • Optional certificate per user
  • Instructor sets up individual access
  • Smaller groups / tracking is needed
  • 12 months per participant

Flat-Rate License

  • One shared institutional license
  • No individual tracking
  • Not available
  • Self-managed access distribution by the institution
  • Larger cohorts and minimal admin effort
  • 12-month institutional access window (+3-month grace period)
     

To accommodate different institutional needs and administrative preferences, we offer two flexible licensing models. You can choose between a per-user license, which includes individual access tracking and optional certificates of completion, or a flat-rate license, ideal for larger groups and minimal administrative overhead. Both options provide 12 months of course access and allow your researchers to learn at their own pace. Whether you serve a small international cohort or a large graduate program, we’ll help you implement the model that best fits your structure and goals.

 
Per-User License

Access Model
Individual logins per participant

Tracking
Usage tracking possible

Certificate
Optional certificate per user

Administration
Instructor sets up individual access

Ideal For
Smaller groups / tracking is needed

Access Period
12 months per participant


Flat-Rate License

Access Model
One shared institutional license

Tracking
No individual tracking

Certificate
Not available

Administration
Self-managed access distribution by the institution

Ideal For
Larger cohorts and minimal admin effort

Access Period
12-month institutional access window (+3-month grace period)

What Former Participants Say

This self-paced course is completely new. Here you find feedback from participants of earlier live versions of this seminar, both online and onsite.

Lisa Matthias

PhD Candidate

A game-changer for me

This class encourages you to take an honest look at your work habits, reflect on your goals, and ultimately help you be more efficient (and staying sane). 

Tim Puhlfürß

PhD Candidate

A clear recommendation!

I have actively incorporated the "Kiss the Frog" technique into my daily planning, always keeping the Eisenhower principle in mind to prioritize and carry out tasks.

I'm already noticing how much more effective my days are becoming and I reserve more time for important research tasks. 

Larissa Hoefling

PhD Candidate

vivid and convincing

[…] what I took away most was a new perspective on time, work, and my own potential. I no longer ask: ‘How can I possibly handle so many tasks in so little time?’ but rather: ‘How can I use my time in the best possible way to serve my goals?’

[…] Thank you for all the personal stories — they made everything so much more vivid and convincing!

Interested?
Let’s talk.

Reach out to us and let's talk on zoom or phone whether this course could be valuable for your institution.

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