EndNote Software

I wish someone gave me this tip during my first year in the PhD program. As soon as you get into a PhD program, make sure you get yourself a copy of EndNote.

The software has a bunch of functions that you probably will never need. But one of its useful features will save you days of work: automatic in-text referencing and automatic generation of bibliographies.

Start using it as soon as you get your first reading assignment. Enter information about every paper that you read into Endnote. It may require some time to learn the software and get into the habit of entering everything you read into EndNote database. Most of the online research databases have a feature that allows you to add EndNote entries into your database automatically, so that you don't have to do this manually.

Trust me - you will never regret investing this time into the software. I remember sometimes it would take me the whole day to make sure all the references in a paper are correct.

I think the software is sold for like $100 if you try to buy it on your own. But most likely your school will have a site license which will allow you to get the software for much less than that. I think I bought it for like $10. One of the best investments you will ever make - that's for sure.