Dissertation
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What Does it Mean to be Finished
Being finished with a piece of writing is an interesting concept. In some ways, writing is never finished. We can always think of a different way to say something or something new to put into an article, essay, dissertation, or book. Sometimes, if we’re really involved in the piece, we’ll wake up at night with…
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Change Locations to Find More Words
Sitting in the same location to write each day allows a writer to have a ritual. Often, sitting at your desk or your favorite coffee shop signals to your brain that it’s time to write. However, if you find yourself in your regular place and get stuck, a change in location may help. A trip…
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How and When to Email Your Dissertation Advisor
Advisors can be tricky. They’re around to help you accomplish your goal, but they also have their own projects and responsibilities. They don’t have unlimited time to prod you and it’s not their job to force you. As a dissertator, one of the most crucial things you can do is to maintain an open line…
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There’s Always Time to Proofread
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There’s Always Time to Proofread
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Setting Goals and Sticking to a Calendar
Time management is key to accomplishing any task, especially one as complex as a dissertation. Too often students get overwhelmed or stuck and lose track of not only how to move forward, but how to do it in a timely fashion. In those situations, the most useful thing you can do to help yourself (assuming…
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Just Write
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Working Well with Your Adviser
Advisers. You can’t live with them; you can’t live without them. Actually, most of the time, your adviser is a good ally to the dissertation project. This person – for some reason – has opted to work with you for a lengthy gig that may take a few years. That’s quite a commitment to you…
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It’s Okay to Ask for Help
Writing projects, especially lengthy ones like dissertations and books, are hard work. There are lots of moving parts and changing ideas we need to keep straight to express our thoughts clearly. Advisors, committee members, and publishers sometimes make suggestions or set requirements whose purpose can be difficult to understand. It can be hard to break…
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Managing Your Committee
One of the most challenging parts of writing a dissertation is the need to work – perhaps for the first time – with a committee of scholars who will judge your writing and your preparedness for the degree. It can be difficult to juggle the need to listen to these people and follow their advice…