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Waiting to Get Your Dissertation Accepted?
Last Updated on: 30th August 2022, 04:39 am
At some point during the dissertation marathon, people run into a period of time where writing a dissertation seems futile. Because the process of writing a dissertation is a lonely journey, many people think that they are the only person who has ever felt this way. You are not alone! Almost everyone feels this at some time. The question is not if you will get the Dissertation Blues, the real question is how to move forward.
Why Do We Get The Dissertation Blues?
Many have equated completing a dissertation to running a marathon. It is a long way and there are usually hills and valleys. The same can be said about a dissertation. What in particular can bring on the Blues?
Writing a dissertation is a lonely journey
It is rare that you will be at the same place as anyone else you know on this journey. Many times you will know no one in the same situation. We like to share our experiences with others but if they don’t understand what we are doing it doesn’t help much.
There is not a strong tradition of effective communication
When you get comments from your committee like “add more here,” it may not be helpful. More direction is what most doctoral students yearn for. I like to explain the doctoral process as a committee sending you out into the woods and explore and then asking you to report on what you have found.
This is usually followed by the committee saying it is not enough, go look around some more. Eventually, you stumble upon what they are looking for. Stumbling around without direction can be depressing.
It can feel like your fate is out of your control
You submit your document for committee review and get many comments. You address all of the comments and think that you are on your way. Yet, the document comes back with new comments on the areas that they read and did not comment on the first time. It can seem impossible to please many committee members.
Things can change quickly
Just when you figure out what you’re doing and what your committee wants, your chair leaves the university, the rules change, or someone publishes an article very similar to your dissertation research.
What Can You do about the Dissertation Blues?
So, you are down in the dumps about the whole dissertation thing. There are things that you can do to find your way back to equilibrium. Some of them include:
Pick your battles
Your committee is made up of good people who have been there before and are there to help you. They may advise you to do something differently than you had hoped for. You can fight to do things the way that you want but at what cost? Remember, the only good dissertation is a done dissertation.
Move your body
Working towards a PhD can be a sedentary path. Whenever you get a chance, practice the Greek tradition of healthy mind healthy body. Take a walk, do yoga, ride a bike. Do anything that gets your blood flowing. You may just find that it improves your attitude.
Eat well
In our busy society, we tend not to eat well. If you need proof of this just look around. Take your mother’s advice and eat your veggies. A balanced diet can make us healthier and happier.
Visualize your life after you have defended your dissertation
Professional athletes try to visualize making a putt or sinking a free-throw beforehand to help realize success. Take some time to visualize what your life will be like when you complete this journey.
Write yourself a letter about why you are doing this
Take some time to write yourself a letter giving the reasons why you started down this path. Maybe it has always been your dream, it made your parents proud, or you wanted to change the world. Reminding yourself of the reasons can be helpful. Keep a copy of this letter and refer to it often.
Find little pieces to do
Dissertations are big, long documents. You can’t write a dissertation in one day. You can write a little bit each day. Get back on track by reviewing an article, adding a reference to Chapter 2, or coding a little more data. These little steps get you closer to your goal.
Remember, this too shall pass
Life changes over time. What seems permanent falls away. The Blues came but they also go. Remember, you are not the first person to be on this path and there are others that you can reach out to. There are a number of groups on Facebook (try ABD (All But Dissertation) Support Group) where you can find others on the same journey.
If you found this article helpful, feel free to check out my thoughts on Preparing for Your Dissertation Defense and the most important Dissertation Writing Tips.
If you’re in need of any assistance, I also offer dissertation coaching services.
