Dissertation Made Easy –25– To Group Or Not To Group.

Anything can be more fun when you turn it into a party… Including your dissertation. Readers of Six Months to Doctor and my clients know that I am a strong advocate for groups. Writing groups, research groups or even overall dissertation groups can be very helpful. Having a group that you have to face every week to share your successes or seek advice from is great pressures you to work. Not to mention to vent after a horrible review from your advisor. As great as these groups can be, they must carefully selected and monitored by each individual to ensure that the group meets their needs and is positively contributing to their progress. When that step is not taken, some students can find themselves in a group that is counterproductive. Having the camaraderie of working alongside someone even if the research projects are completely unrelated. When you have scheduled library sessions or writing sessions scheduled you will show up. On the other hand if your team members are not as serious about it, not showing up on time or doing the work that they were supposed to do, that slacking habit is contagious and you can catch it. To minimize your risk, the assessment of the group’s fit for you should be ongoing. If there comes a moment when you realize that your membership in this group is no longer helping you progress, then make your exit while continuing to seek out supportive resources elsewhere.

 

For more dissertation tips order your copy of Six Months to Doctor: How to Complete a Dissertation in Six Months today at http://Books.DrJudiC.com

Stay tuned to my websites for more tips… www.DrJudiC.com

Dissertation Made Easy –24– Crushing Feedback

Remember how I always say that your committee is your best assets? Greatest supporters? Best thing since sliced bread? Such an important part of your journey that a whole chapter in my book is about committees? Well they are, but they can also be the biggest boulders that come crashing on you and your confidence. Some days you may get feedback from one or maybe more of your committee members that really hit hard- Maybe even the kind of feedback that makes you wonder who your parents bribed to get you out of Kindergarten. The first thing to remember is that it is not personal. Yes there are probably a hundred ways of sharing their concern that would have been less distressing, but obviously they were not in a position to think of those at the time they were providing the feedback. Don’t go flying of the handle or throwing your computer in the trash because you are “too through with this”. Just turn off the computer, walk away from the books and all other dissertation related material. Go do something relaxing. When you come back to your work the following day and you are calmer, it will be easier to see what the feedback was really about and how you can make the adjustments. And don’t forget, if it is not clear, ASK.

 

For more dissertation tips order your copy of Six Months to Doctor: How to Complete a Dissertation in Six Months today at http://Books.DrJudiC.com

Stay tuned to my websites for more tips… www.DrJudiC.com

Dissertation Made Easy –23– A day off

It’s true that when you are on a mission to get your dissertation completed, you often find yourself giving up a social life for the most part. All of that is a temporary sacrifice you make for the sake of your investment. While delayed gratification is important your body still needs some reset time. That’s why it is so critical that you are taking days off. One a week should be good enough. Some may even stretch it but going beyond two weeks is asking for trouble. Your body gives you the opportunity to give it a rest. When you don’t seize the opportunity to give your body what it asks for, then it will simply take it. Take periodic days off that way that way you can avoid falling ill and having to be out of commission even longer.

 

For more dissertation tips order your copy of Six Months to Doctor: How to Complete a Dissertation in Six Months today at http://Books.DrJudiC.com

Stay tuned to my websites for more tips… www.DrJudiC.com

Dissertation Made Easy –22– Get a Buddy

Doing things alone is not always as fun as with others. Working on your dissertation is one of those. When you are working on your dissertation alone you take a few more liberties than you would with other. You know how your group projects were done a couple days early and your individual papers finished 5 minutes before the start of class. That’s what many doctoral candidates do with their dissertation. The freedom that allows you to procrastinate a bit more is often a detriment to progress. The remedy? Get a buddy! When you are working with others and don’t want to be the only one who came in with nothing to show for the last two weeks. That pressure makes you work a bit harder. Even if all the work is done just before the group meets, that’s at least something that is getting done at these intervals. Just be sure to select buddies who are diligent about their work and will actually produce and progress through your partnership. Their progress will inspire you to make greater strides. Also make sure your buddies are people whose opinion you value- that adds to the pressure.

 

For more dissertation tips order your copy of Six Months to Doctor: How to Complete a Dissertation in Six Months today at http://Books.DrJudiC.com

Stay tuned to my websites for more tips… www.DrJudiC.com

Dissertation Made Easy –21– Getting To Candidacy

When you get started with your coursework it’s tough to know where to go and how to start. Where as in undergrad courses are often offered a few times per year, by the time you get to doctorate level it’s definitely not like that. You will find that many course that you need are offered only once per year. To avoid finding yourself waiting a year to take your last course or two, you need to know these. Your advisor is the best person to help you figure this out, but if they are unable or unwilling to help you do this seek out the program coordinator. Before the end of your first year of classes you should develop a course plan that details not only the courses that you will take but also which semester you will take them in. When you develop your plan, be sure that it is in accordance with when each course is being offered. If a course has prerequisites, be sure to account for that in your plan. The benefits of this plan will include avoiding having to wait for courses, as well as allowing you to register as early as registration is open to prevent being capped out. If you’ve read my book you know that while you are doing all this work on your courses, you also should be doing some things in preparation for your dissertation too. If you haven’t read it yet- What are you waiting for? Get it now.

 

For more dissertation tips order your copy of Six Months to Doctor: How to Complete a Dissertation in Six Months today at http://Books.DrJudiC.com

Stay tuned to my websites for more tips… www.DrJudiC.com

Dissertation Made Easy –20– The Revolving Committee Door

The longer you are in the dissertation stage the greater your chances of having to new members join your committee after you’ve started work. Faculty members have life changes just as students do. People move. They experience crises. They have major life events. All those can be reasons that someone steps down from your committee. This does not mean that you have to be caught off guard. If you keep close enough contact with you committee you are more likely to hear that they will be leaving before try to submit your document for review. If you know that a member is leaving your committee ask them for recommendation for a replacement. Speak to your advisor immediately to begin to see whom you can bring in for a seamless transition. When you get new members, take the same proactive steps that you’ve taken with the original members. You still need their say so to move forward so you better find out early enough what will be expected of you in order to get the ok. Bring them into the fold. Let them know about your research and pay close attention to their concerns and feedback.

 

For more dissertation tips order your copy of Six Months to Doctor: How to Complete a Dissertation in Six Months today at http://Books.DrJudiC.com

Stay tuned to my websites for more tips… www.DrJudiC.com

Dissertation Made Easy –19– Summer’s Over? :? :?

The academic year is officially getting started again, but if you are at the dissertation or candidacy stage, you know that summer is really a figment of others’ imaginations. If you took the time to indulge, that’s actually a great thing. Whether you took a full summer vacation or just a few breaks here and there, summer still slows you down. Taking time to accommodate, rest, family, friends and especially kids does take some of the speed out of your progress. So now that things are back to “normal”, resume your routines. Remember, it wasn’t that long ago that the kids were in school, projects had to be completed and you still had your own school work. Get those schedules back into play and have everyone take on their assigned tasks again. This is the perfect time to make changes because people expect changes in these transitional weeks. Don’t take on new projects to see if you “can handle them this year”. It may be a new year but since my petition for a 27-hour day has not yet been approved we still must work within the 24-hour day. If you had a system that worked last year, get it back into play. If your system did not work, make the changes now and begin implementation immediately.

 

For more dissertation tips order your copy of Six Months to Doctor: How to Complete a Dissertation in Six Months today at http://Books.DrJudiC.com

Stay tuned to my websites for more tips… www.DrJudiC.com

RE: Six Months To Doctor: How to Complete a Dissertation in Six Months

I was wondering what today’s post should be about when this email came through from a reader of my book…

When people ask me why I do certain things… This is the reason.  Indulge me :)

Greetings Dr. Cinéas, 

Now that the dust has settled and this feeling is finally sinking in I had to take a moment to thank you for your book Six Months to Doctor. I started my Ph.D. journey more than a decade ago, but with life and so many setbacks it seems like I was on breaks more than I was enrolled in my program. It was dragging so much that it started to become a joke around my family. Two years ago my husband and I were talking about this again and I told him that I would one day get that degree. When your book arrived last spring I thought he was being sarcastic by ordering it, but I soon realized that he found the tool I needed all these years. My first step after reading Six Months to Doctor was to set a deadline. I went to work regrouping and organizing and following your advice as closely as applicable. The qualifying paper that was hanging over my head for 2 years was done before the start of the fall semester. I immediately got to work on the dissertation and got it done just in time to make the summer graduation. Your book was so helpful and beyond inspirational all through this journey.

I know I didn’t do it in six months, but considering the years I spent just trying to rise to doctoral candidacy, this was a very big deal. Having my family there to see me hooded was an amazing feeling. I thank my husband constantly for getting me your book and I thank you for making this resource available to us. I could wish you wrote it sooner, but I guess we had to wait for you to complete your own Ph.D.

Sincerely,

Dr. Ann

Dissertation Made Easy –18– Getting Out of Revision Junction

Lately I’m hearing a lot about the struggles of students stuck in eternal revision junction. Generally if you are having trouble getting your work approved by your committee there is something that is missing. Nine out of ten times it’s a gap in communication. Either they don’t get your ideas or you don’t get their instructions. Sit down and hash it out. Set appointments with them to discuss what they expect from you as well as what you need from them. It’s much easier to gain a clear understanding when the parties converse. If a face to face is not an option yes, you can settle for a telephone meeting, but the key is that you MUST meet. No matter how smart you are you cannot know what’s in another person’s head. So instead of hitting your head against a wall trying to get through to the other person’s thoughts, just ask them. It’s easier, much less painful and did I mention a great time and energy saver which reduces frustration?

Most of the time your committee wants to help you and they will when you ask. In the off chance you have someone who’s really just looking to run you through the coals, all you do is use their words to back you up. If you ask what they want, and then provide that, their only recourse is to accept it. Stop beating yourself up trying to guess things that could be answered through a single conversation. Save your energy for where it’s needed.

 

For more dissertation tips order your copy of Six Months to Doctor: How to Complete a Dissertation in Six Months today at http://Books.DrJudiC.com

Stay tuned to my websites for more tips… www.DrJudiC.com

 

Feel free to ask questions.

Dissertation Made Easy –17– The Waiting Game

Waiting is one of the most nerve wracking and potentially time consuming parts of the dissertation journey. You hurry to get your document in and now have to wait for someone to get back to you. The first thing you need to do to help you through this part is know your school’s policy. Most institutions allow faculty two weeks to review and return your submissions, but you should be able to find your program’s from the student handbook. Follow up with them before that time. Your follow up time line should include an email or call at the half way point and if they have not responded by the school’s set timeline, and another contact a couple of days after a missed turn around due date. Checking in- Seeing if they have any concerns- Something to keep your name and your submission relevant. If you submitted a document to someone who has to submit it to another person, make sure you know who that person is- by name. When you follow up, mention the person’s name – “I’m looking forward to Dr. ___’s feedback” goes a long way. If the person forgot, or did not know the step was to take place they will be prompted to investigate or at least ask you.

For more dissertation tips order your copy of Six Months to Doctor: How to Complete a Dissertation in Six Months today at http://Books.DrJudiC.com

Stay tuned to my websites for more tips… www.DrJudiC.com

 

Feel free to ask questions.

 

1 2 3 4
  • Dr. Judi Cinéas

  • Dr. Judi Cinéas

  • I am Dr. Judi Cinéas (DrJudiC) the founder of Living The Dream, an organization providing Life Empowerment and Motivational Coaching to South Florida’s elite. With many years of experience as a psychotherapist, I use my counseling skills to help clients maximize their progress. Author of the book Six Months To Dr.: How To Complete A Dissertation In Six Months. I have also been working with doctoral candidates as to help them progress toward completing their theses and dissertations. I hold a Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership and a Master of Social Work degree more than 12 years of experience working with individuals, families and organizations providing Counseling and Behavior Modification services in South Florida. After a rough start, I PHinisheD my dissertation in 6 months, and I wrote a book to show others how I did it. I even talk about the mistakes that caused my rough start so others won’t make it too. On this blog, I share some of the things I learned as well.