Princess Leia and Dissertations
October 21st is Carrie Fisher (aka Princess Leia)’s birthday. Here are some words of wisdom from Princess Leia for dissertation students everywhere… Looks like you’ve managed to cut off our only escape route. — Princess Leia Make sure that you plan the end of your dissertation before you even begin. This is not the way […]
Continue reading
Tom Petty and Dissertations
October 20th is Tom Petty’s birthday. Here are some words of wisdom from Tom Petty’s lyrics for dissertation students everywhere… Running down a dream… working on a mystery… going wherever it leads… Maintain a sense of professional detachment pertaining to your dissertation project. If you choose a topic that you’re passionate about (as is the […]
Continue reading
Psychics and Dissertations
October 19th is John Edward’s birthday. The self-proclaimed psychic and host of the syndicated TV show, Crossing Over, Edward would relay messages from the beyond to loved ones in the audience. What messages does the beyond have for your dissertation?… I’m getting a message from the beyond. It’s from someone whose first name begins with D. […]
Continue reading
The Jungle Book and Dissertations
On October 18, 1967 Disney released the children’s film, The Jungle Book. One of the characters was a python who hypnotizes his prey. How does the dissertation process have you hypnotized?… When it comes to your dissertation, you don’t know what you’re doing. That’s not a dig, and you shouldn’t feel insulted. It’s just a fact. […]
Continue reading
Mulligans and Dissertations
October 17th is National Mulligan Day. In golf, a mulligan is a do-over, a re-do, a second chance. Have you ever wanted a dissertation mulligan?… Did you pick a particularly difficult topic? Would you like a mulligan? Did your dissertation chair leave the university? Need a mulligan? Have you been having trouble with the writing-your-dissertation […]
Continue reading
Oscar Wilde and Dissertations
October 16th is Oscar Wilde’s birthday. Here are a few words of wisdom from Oscar Wilde for dissertation students… Success is a science; if you have the conditions, you get the result. — Oscar Wilde Doctoral students enjoy only a 50% success rate. After so many years of course work, why are so many doctoral […]
Continue reading
Grouches and Dissertations
October 15th is National Grouch Day. Here are the top ten things dissertation students grouch about… 10. I can’t even choose a topic. 9. My chair won’t simply talk to me. 8. All of my classmates are dropping out. 7. My chair left the university and I have to start over. 6. I can’t figure out what to […]
Continue reading
POTUS 34 and Dissertations
October 14th marks the birthday of the 34th President of the United States. Here’s some words of wisdom from Dwight D. Eisenhower that you can apply to your dissertation… Plans are nothing; planning is everything. — Dwight D. Eisenhower As the saying goes, “The best laid plans of mice and men often go awry.” So, why […]
Continue reading
Brains and Dissertations
Brains and Dissertations October 13th is National Train Your Brain Day. Here are 6 ways dissertation students can whip their brains into shape… 1. Use your memory. If you’re like me, your phone and the Internet have started to obviate the need to remember facts, lists, etc. However, brain-fitness studies have demonstrated the importance of memory […]
Continue reading
Hitchhikers Guide and Dissertations
On October 12, 1979, Douglas Adams published The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy. Here are 5 lessons from The Hitchhiker’s Guide for dissertation students everywhere… 1. Listen to Your Committee. Do What They Say. Graduate. “You know,” said Arthur, “it’s at times like this, when I’m trapped in a Vogon airlock with a man from Betelgeuse, and about […]
Continue reading