Challenges in Writing Your Dissertation (eBook)

Noelle Sterne, Ph.D., for thirty years has assisted struggling doctoral candidates to complete their dissertations in her roles as coach, editor, motivator, cheerleader, professional friend, handholder, ego soother, thought facilitator, stressed student solution-supplier, and “academic nag.” To balance her scholarly pursuits, Dr. Sterne also regularly publishes writing craft articles, spiritual pieces, essays, and fiction in print and online periodicals and blog sites.

PermissionsPraise for Challenges in Writing Your DissertationForeword: By Professor Irma M. BarronAcknowledgments Illustration: The Ideal DissertationIntroduction: How I Became an Academic NagWhy This BookWhat’s HereMy Methods and TechniquesWhy Me?I Never Left SchoolFrom Professor to TypistTo Coach and EditorDisclosure: My Writing (Mostly Nonacademic)A Word About the Spiritual“Academic Nag”PART ONE: SNEAKING UP ON THE DISSERTATIONChapter 1. The Decision: Your Dream, Your Life How Is the Degree Part of Your Life’s Dream?What Will the Degree Do for You?Visualize Your DreamAffirmations for Strengthening Your Life DreamAs They Say, Meditate, Don’t Medicate2. BIG Changes It’s Not Just College AnymoreHow Ready Are You to Change Your Lifestyle? No StructureNo LeisureIt’s Your TimeDeclare and Feel Your ReadinessPART TWO: REALLY DOING IT3. Priorities and Promises to Yourself Your Inner Mentor: Listening for Answers Rethink Your Priorities Find the Holes in Your ScheduleKeep Your Promises to Yourself Your Later ListAffirm Your Right Time and Timing4. Enroll Your Higher Self Hello, Light Being!Trust the Process Three Puzzling and Powerful Reinforcing LawsThe Law of Least EffortThe Law of Intention and DesireThe Law of DetachmentRecognize and Accept Your Power A Few Higher Self Affirmations5. Starting the Work: Positive Patient Persevering Listen for the Topic That’s Right for You Topic ConsiderationsRight Topic ConsiderationsYou’re the Scholar in Shining Armor Muster Your Courage for the ProposalWhat’s Your Problem?Courageous AffirmationsYou Don’t Have to Walk a Straight (Out)LineTricks to Tease and Ease Yourself into ItWriting Doesn’t Have to Be Torture: Proper Style and Semipleasant Process Settle In: You Deserve It 6. Sticking With It: Temptations and Tonics Dissertation Interruptus Death by Rationale Resisting the Extension Siren Getting Sick . . . of It AllFear of FinishingDiscipline Is a Choice Continuing the Work: Your Wayward OutlineIf You’re Concerned About Your BrainReasonable Breaks and BalanceWorking QuestionsBalanced BreaksAffirmations for Sticking With ItPART THREE: YOUR NEAR, DEAR, AND DESPAIRINGSIGNIFICANT OTHERS7. Orient the Important Others in Your Life Stranger in a Strange Graduate School CultureFamily and Friends: Starting Off WrongStarting Off RightSelfish?Saying NoSacrifices and Rewards: Short-Term, Mid-Term, Interminable-TermEducate ThemBribe Them8. Family: Choruses of Complaints, Songs of Support Partners: “I Didn’t Bargain for This” or “I Never See You Anymore”Kids: “We Never See You Anymore”Involve Them: Share What You’re Doing Involving PartnersInvolving KidsSpecial Dates With Partners and Kids Dates With PartnersDates With KidsOther Relatives: “We Never See You Anymore”Educate and Bribe, AgainSabotage, Unconscious or NotHoliday Strategies Toxic Volleys and Tough Questions Your Neutralizing ResponsesHard Questions and Your Brilliant AnswersTroubled Waters: Fights, Separation, Divorce See Them WholeSend Love AheadSee Them Supportive9. Friends: Are They for You or Against You? “Come On—It’s Only a Quick Lunch”: Just Say Not NowCommunity Involvement and Volunteer Activities: Just Say LaterHandle Jealousies and PutdownsLet Go of the CrazymakersThose Questions Again: “Aren’t You Done Yet?”Assure Them You Still Love ThemKnow and Believe They Are For and With You10. Make Peace and Time With Your Employer and Work Colleagues Express Your Gratitude and Explain, ExplainPoint Out How Your Degree Benefits the Company Negotiate What Works for Both of YouSuperior JealousiesRecognize Toxicity Toxicity AntidotesWork Colleagues’ Envy Affirm, Visualize, and Project Employment Peace PART FOUR: GOOD UNIVERSITY COPS AND BAD11. Your Dissertation Committee: The Best/Worst Friends You’ll Ever Have / Are Professors Really Human?Excruciating or Exceptional?Who Can You Work With and How Do You Know?Gather Plenty of InformationAsk Questions About the ChairListen Inside: Gut and Guidance Ask Questions of YourselfHow Do You Feel?Design and See Your Perfect Committee Dancing With the Committee Whose Topic?Buddying Up or Keeping Too DistantChumsStrangers The Ideal BalancePlaying Humble Student and Keeping Your Self-RespectSwallow Your PrideRaise Your HeadWhen You’re Older Than Your ProfessorsThe Infinite Loop of Revisions Appealing to Higher Authorities On the GroundIn Your HeadYour Higher Self and TheirsPsychologically SpeakingSpiritually Speaking13. University Support: You’ve Got More Friends Than You Think Fellow Students as Mentors What Can You Learn From Learning Centers? You Can Speak to the Geeks in the Computer Lab Add to Your Team: Statisticians and Researchers StatisticiansResearchersLibrarians Love You, Secretaries Stand By YouLibrariansSecretariesConsider Coaches and EditorsCoachesEditorsOld Course Professors Don’t Have to Fade AwayPicture the Perfect University Friends You Need PART FIVE: GRADUATION: IT’S ONLY A WALK AWAY14. Am I Really Almost Done? Rehearse Your Perfect Defense Yet Another Faculty ReviewMaster the Red TapeHow to Enjoy Your Own Graduation Avoid Post-Parting Depression (PPD) Waking to Your Dream The Most Dangerous Time . . . Envision Your Future, Take the StepsPeek at Your Long-Neglected Later List Reenter Your Family’s Atmosphere Plan Your PayoffsPositionsPublicationsCelebrate Your Professional and Personal Growth With GratitudeConclusion: Why I’m Still an Academic NagReferencesSelected ResourcesA Short Glossary of Important AcronymsAbout the Author