July 17, 2007
- If someone helps you, say thanks.
Now, not to go on a mini-rant or anything, but I do want to point something out: if someone helps you, please say thank you. This will ease your path both in the dissertation process and in life.
April 23, 2007
- But Honey… I need to work!
When you’re busily working on your dissertation, it’s expectable that you’ll become extremely focused and may neglect some of your closest relationships. You don’t do this on purpose, of course, but you will sometimes need blocks of uninterrupted time to make significant progress, and your spouse or significant other may feel neglected. This can lead to even more feelings of strain, and may lead to problems in your relationship and/or avoidance or delay of your dissertation work.
January 9, 2006
- Stay connected to others, even when it’s difficult.
When writing the dissertation, it can be tempting to seek out isolation. Normally, people isolate themselves in one of two situations: either they are making tremendous progress, completely absorbed in the work, or they are avoiding the work and don’t want anyone to know. If you’re anything like me, you sometimes get really caught up [...]
November 3, 2005
- Demonstrating integrity about your dissertation.
One of the hallmarks of any healthy relationship is whether that relationship possesses integrity. Integrity, according to my dictionary, is defined as "the quality of being whole or undivided, completeness." Integrity is an important element of your dissertation process, because you can only make progress when your feelings and your actions are pointing in the [...]
October 20, 2005
- Join a community.
As I notice some of the traits of the happiest dissertators (note I didn’t say happy dissertators, because I’m not sure how many of them really exist…), the happiest dissertators are those who have found a way to gain extra support and understanding through a community. In most cases, it’s most effective to have a [...]
October 6, 2005
- How are YOU feeling?
The most important relationship in the dissertation process is the one you have with yourself. How are you feeling? Do you feel yourself to be in integrity with your stated goal of completing the dissertation within a certain time frame? Are you working your plan effectively so you can reach your goal? If not, it’s [...]
February 14, 2005
- Practice compartmentalizing the dissertation.
Talking to others about your dissertation is important- it allows you to integrate your work into the daily flow of your life. However, it’s also important for yourself- and your relationships- that you also practice compartmentalizing the dissertation when it’s time to do so. Remind yourself that there’s more to you, more to your life, [...]
January 25, 2005
- Competition & Envy
Competition and envy seem to be part of the graduate school experience. Competition for the best resources, competition for the most prestigious conference panels, competition for the most significant research or teaching positions. We envy those of our classmates who seem to move effortlessly forward through the doctoral program while we struggle with confusion, angst, [...]
November 17, 2004
- Balancing Your Dissertation Work & Intimate Relationships III
During any lulls in the dissertation process- such as when you’re waiting for IRB approval, or waiting for data collection to proceed, or when you have a few chapters in for review- use these lulls to deposit a bit "extra" into the "bank account" of your intimate relationships. Spend a bit more time with your [...]
November 16, 2004
- Balancing Your Dissertation Work & Intimate Relationships II
Another way to balance your dissertation work and intimate relationships is to get really, really good at communicating. The more you can explain what you’re doing, why you’re busy, and about how long it will be until you can take a break- the better. No one, no matter how much they love you, can read [...]
November 15, 2004
- Balancing Your Dissertation Work & Intimate Relationships I
When you’re writing a dissertation, it’s easy to become overwhelmed in thinking about all you have to do, and it’s often, too, that your stress/anxiety/worry puts a strain on your personal intimate relationships. This is usually most evident in the final stretch- when you have just a few weeks to finish, and there are still [...]
October 22, 2004
- How to respond when everyone asks if you’re done yet?
Many times, you’ll be the only person you know working on your dissertation- at least in your daily, immediate life, that is. This is especially true if you’ve moved away from your school. How should you handle the inevitable comments and questions about your dissertation progress, and "are you done yet?" I think there are [...]
October 18, 2004
- Communicating about your dissertation
If you’re the only person you know who’s working on a dissertation, it’s easy to feel isolated and alone. If you talk about it to non graduate students, they don’t understand, so you end up feeling isolated. If you talk about it with your peers, it’s possible that they will be critical and demeaning, so [...]