POTUS 20 and Dissertations

November 19th marks the birthday of the 20th President of the United States. Here’s some words of wisdom from James A. Garfield that you can apply to your dissertation…

A brave man is a man who dares to look the Devil in the face and tell him he is a Devil.
— James A. Garfield

It may be brave, but don’t do this with your dissertation committee!

You’re dissertation is done when your committee says it’s done. There are no shortcuts other than giving them what they want.

Getting a long with your committee and figuring out how to give them what they want is ultimately what makes you a doctor instead of a doctoral student.

Whatever you think of your committee, they’re not really the Devil. In fact, you may even like them when they’re the first ones to call you doctor!

A pound of pluck is worth a ton of luck.
— James A. Garfield

If the power to do hard work is not a skill, it’s the best possible substitute for it.
— James A. Garfield

Persistence is the key to graduation. You’ve really only got to do two things: point your feet in the right direction and keep them moving.

I have had many troubles in my life, but the worst of them never came.
— James A. Garfield

As difficult as the dissertation may seem at times, you can do it!

Think about all of the successes you’ve had in life. They weren’t accidents. Those accomplishments were the result of your effort and determination.

Whatever challenges you may face, you can overcome them. Keep a positive attitude and all of your problems will seem smaller… And, the worst of them will never actually occur.