TIPS ON FINISHING YOUR PHD Dr. Lillian Otieno

Why?  You have to be strange to do a PhD - Give up chance to make money - Lose simplicity of regular hours and a boss who tells you what to do - You have to be very clear in your mind why you want to do a PhD 18/10/ Lillian Otieno- Omutoko(PhD)

How?  Begin with the end in mind  You have no obligation to write an important or even useful thesis 18/10/ Lillian Otieno- Omutoko(PhD)

Write!  Writing helps your thoughts to crystallize  You accomplish your daily task which will make you feel good  You can track your progress  When you write your thesis you have material to draw on  You won't forget what you were thinking two weeks ago 18/10/ Lillian Otieno- Omutoko(PhD)

Contd...  Exercise regularly  Enjoy your "play time“  Talk to others about your problems  Record your progress - full of twists and turns  Don't find excuses - don't do too many other important things 18/10/ Lillian Otieno- Omutoko(PhD)

Contd...  Choose a dissertation topic you are passionate about  Work on your strengths, not on your weaknesses  Take charge - it's your life not your supervisor's  Do what is right for you - including the choice of discontinuing your Ph.D. 18/10/ Lillian Otieno- Omutoko(PhD)

Contd...  Master the subject area completely  Extend the body of knowledge 18/10/ Lillian Otieno- Omutoko(PhD)

End  There is only one way of doing a PhD,  That is your own  It is individualistic in nature!  You are a long distance researcher  Need to avoid being emotional  Do not expect to enjoy  Expect to go mad  If enjoying then you are mad already  Department will support you in all the phases 18/10/ Lillian Otieno- Omutoko(PhD)

18/10/ Lillian Otieno- Omutoko(PhD)