🎁 An Academic Gift Guide: From One Scholar to Another
Whether you're treating yourself or looking for the perfect gift for a fellow scholar, consider sharing the gift of knowledge and empowerment with a loved one by introducing them to these resources or tools that can elevate their educational and entrepreneurial journey!
1. Accepted Society Membership: A Community I'm Proud to Lead
I have to start with something near and dear to my heart. Alongside my amazing business partner Cait, I co-created Accepted Society—a vibrant online community that's become a home for over 300 scholars worldwide. As someone who understands the solitude of academic life (trust me, those late nights at your desk or libraries can get lonely!), I can't emphasize enough how valuable this community has been, not just for me but for all our members.
What makes it special? You, or your special person, will get:
Daily Writing Groups: These have been crucial for my own PhD work, and I love seeing others make progress on their projects
24/7 Study Sessions: Perfect for night owls like me who sometimes need company during late-night research sessions
Monthly Goal Setting: Because let's be real, we all need help staying on track
Community Book Club: Where I get to indulge my love of fantasy and historical fiction alongside academic reads
2. The Perfect Planner (GoldenCoil is my Personal Favorite!)
Between managing my YouTube channel, working with Ali Abdaal Ltd., running Accepted Society, and pursuing my PhD, I'd be lost without my GoldenCoil planner. What I love about it is how customizable it is—I can track everything from content creation deadlines to dissertation chapters in one place.
Other planners can also play a vital role in helping academics stay organized throughout the year. For example, digital planners offer features like reminders and integrations with calendar apps, making it easier to stay on top of deadlines. Additionally, some planners provide sections for goal-setting and reflection, which can enhance productivity and ensure alignment with both short-term and long-term objectives.
3. Subscriptions to Digital Tools That Keep Us Sane
As someone who deeply invests in holistic productivity, I've tested countless productivity tools. My top recommendations:
Notion: This is my second brain for everything from video planning to research organization
Scrintal: Perfect for mapping out complex historical arguments (essential for my Dissertation research!)
Akiflow: Helps me juggle multiple schedules without dropping the ball
4. Fuel for the Mind: Book Gift Cards
As someone who devours both academic texts and fantasy novels, I can't recommend book gift cards enough. They're perfect for:
Those expensive academic books we all need
Fantasy novels for mental breaks (currently obsessed with several series!)
Audiobook subscriptions for multitasking (great for listening while doing barn chores in my future horse-filled life 🤞🏼!)
5. Tech That Makes Academic Life Easier
Having navigated both academic and content creation worlds, here's what I actually use:
iPad with Apple Pencil: Essential for annotating historical documents and planning YouTube content
Kindle: For reading both academic papers and fantasy novels in bed
Ultra-wide Monitor: Game-changer for writing while referencing primary sources
These can indeed be considered a splurge and are certainly not necessary; however, they have the potential to significantly enhance productivity!
6. Workspace Essentials
From my experience creating content and writing my dissertation:
Ergonomic Chair: Your back will thank you after those long writing sessions
Ring Light: Perfect for both Zoom lectures and TikTok content
Blue Light Glasses: Because staring at primary sources all day is tough on the eyes
Noise-cancelling Headphones: My go-to for blocking out distractions
7. Self-Care Essentials
Balancing multiple roles has taught me the importance of self-care:
Some Tasty Black or Matcha Tea: For those cozy reading sessions
Aura Meditation Subscription: Keeps me grounded between tasks
Tea/Coffee/Boba Gift Cards: Because sometimes you need that perfect milk tea while reading
Movement classes Membership/Subscription: Movement is so important in our day-to-day lives, especially when we are sitting at a desk all day!
8. Career Development
Things that have helped me build my multi-faceted career:
Conference Registrations: Networking is everything in academia and business
Professional Development Courses: Always learning, always growing
Camera Equipment: For those who might want to venture into content creation
Or, better yet! Gift yourself an investment in your future by scheduling a coaching call with me!
Final Thoughts
As someone who's built a career bridging academic research, business development, and content creation, I've learned that the right tools and support systems are invaluable. Whether you're purely focused on academia or, like me, building a diverse career portfolio while dreaming of a countryside filled with horses, I hope this guide helps you find the perfect gift for yourself or another scholar in your life.
Remember, academia doesn't have to be all about isolation and stress. Sometimes the best gift is something that helps create balance—whether that's a tool for productivity, a comfort item, or access to a supportive community.