From day one of research

With you all the way

Most researchers struggle because they don’t take the right first steps. You hear jargon that confuses you. You’re asked to write your manuscript before you feel ready. Everyone insists on a literature review, but nobody explains why or how to do it. 

Now, imagine having a mentor by your side — guiding you from setting up your systems on day one, to writing your first paper, to defending your thesis with confidence. That’s the roadmap Tholga offers. 

Year 1. The FIRST MILE

Starting a PhD often feels like stepping into a maze. You’re told to do a literature review but not how. You’re collecting PDFs without knowing what’s useful. And you wonder if you’re moving in the right direction at all.

That’s why we recommend the PhD First Mile your roadmap for the first year.

Build your professional identity

Be part of platforms that matter. Connect with people who can help you. Promote yourself.

Inculcate a consistent reading habit

The more you read; the better is your research. Period.

Collect and organize literature

Learn to be in the right places to collect your literature. Set alerts to be up to date.

Understand the publishing landscape

Learn about the different publishing models. Beware of predatory publications. Stay away from unethical practice.

Year 2 – EZHUTHUGOAL

Rise, Write, Reach Your Goal. 

The systems are now in place. The next challenge is writing. You stare at the blank page all day, not knowing where to begin and what to write. 

That’s where EzhuthuGoal comes in — Tholga’s dedicated writing-training initiative. The name blends the Tamil word ezhuthu (writing/pen) with the English word goal. Every word you write brings you closer to success.

To strengthen your fundamentals

EzhudhuCore

2-day writing sprint to writing your article

EzhudhuWar Room

👉 With EzhuthuGoal, you grow from hesitant to confident in your writing. 

How will this writing-training programme help you put your pen on the paper? 

Right Approach

Provides the right approach to writing a paper – where to start and how to end

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4Cs of writing

Strengthens the 4Cs of writing: correctness, consistency, coherence, clarity.

Tools and tricks

Discover tools and tricks in MS Word and reference managers to save time.

Years 2–3: Prepare and publish your paper 

By your second or third year, it’s time to publish. You have a lot to write about, but unsure of putting them together. 

Finding the right journal for publication, without falling in the traps of predatory or poor quality publishers. 

Fret not, we have your back! 

Writing War Room

An intensive 2-day bootcamp where you draft your paper section by section with expert guidance — and walk out with a near-ready manuscript. 

Journal Selection & Publication Prep

Learn how to choose the right journal, avoid predatory outlets, format your manuscript, and respond confidently to reviewer feedback.   

👉 Publishing your first paper doesn’t have to be overwhelming — with the right guidance, it becomes achievable. 

Years 3–4: Finish strong with thesis & viva 

By now, your research is almost complete. But one last challenge looms: writing the thesis and defending it in your viva voce. Many scholars find this the most stressful stage of all. 

Through our Thesis & Viva Guidance, we help you:

  • Structure and polish your thesis so it reads clearly. 
  • Anticipate viva questions and practice answering with confidence. 
  • Build calm and clarity for the big day. 

👉 After years of effort, you deserve to finish strong. We’ll help you do exactly that. 

One-to-one mentoring

Sometimes, you don’t need a full programme — you just need someone to guide you through a specific hurdle. That’s why we offer personal mentoring sessions on demand. Whether it’s structuring your thesis, choosing a journal, or polishing a manuscript, we’ll help you move forward. 

Shape Your Story with Confidence

Wherever you are in your research journey — setting up, writing, publishing, or defending — Tholga has the right support for you. 

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