Keep Working
Working on your doctorate can be a lonely job. It requires stamina, diligence, and an ability to stay focused. The number one stumbling block that stops PhD candidates in their tracks is the dissertation. This has led to the category of ABD, or "all but dissertation." The attrition rate for ABD students is 50% or more, which means that over half of doctoral students never complete their degree. In order to complete a PhD, doctoral candidates have to be well-organized while balancing doctorate responsibilities with the other demands of life.
Instructions
1. Commit yourself to the project. Completing a doctorate and dissertation is one of the biggest commitments that you will ever make. It will require several years of your life. A serious commitment will inspire you to be better organized and get down to business.
2. Set up a schedule of meetings with your dissertation advisor. The advisor should be an integral part of your work. Clarify what the strategy is that he or she wants you to follow. It is essential that he or she participates in the writing process as a critical reader of your work. This may mean reading whole chapters or smaller sections. Regular meetings will keep your work structured and moving in a progressive direction. It will also encourage you not to procrastinate.
3. Develop an efficient work strategy. At the doctoral level you are making the transition form being a graduate student to being an independent scholar. This means that you are doing the majority of the work on your own. This requires good time-management skills.
4. Find a good work environment. This may be the library, your home, or a coffee shop. Some work better in solitude and quiet while others are more productive in a social setting.
5. Apply for fellowships and scholarships. One of the major burdens that interferes with completing a doctorate is the need for money. Many doctoral students work as teaching or research assistants or have off-campus jobs. All of this takes time and energy. There are numerous fellowships and scholarships for doctoral students that you can apply for.
6. Set a time to relax and have fun. While it is important to be focused and efficient with your time, it is also important to recharge your batteries and give your brain a break. Don't feel guilty about taking time to relax. Physical exercise is great way to handle the stress that accompanies doctoral work.
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