Ellen Meents-DeCaigny, Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs, DePaul University SURVIVING THE GRADUATE STUDENT JOURNEY

RESEARCH & YOU 2

THE GRADUATE JOURNEY IS REWARDING BUT CAN BE LONELY

10 TIPS THAT CAN HELP YOU WHEN WORKING ON A DISSERTATION OR THESIS Gregory Lambeth

1. DEVELOP A PLAN Develop a plan for completion that reflects your academic and professional goals (and personal commitments). Consider when you want (or need) to graduate and work backwards. Pay close attention to university timelines. Be Realistic – Review your timeline with your advisor (and family).

2. CONSIDER YOUR SCHEDULE Evaluate whether it’s necessary to modify your schedule to accommodate work on your research. Establish routines that allow you to work on your research consistently - Daily, Every Other Day, Weekly. Is it possible to adjust your work schedule for a designated amount of time. Can family members relieve you of some responsibilities for a designated amount of time.

3. TELL YOURSELF “IT’S A JOB” Think of your research as a job responsibility so work doesn’t depend on your motivation level, which will vary day to day. It can be easier to procrastinate if there are no external expectations. Share expectations with your advisor or colleagues. Think of life after graduate school!

4. GET ORGANIZED Develop organizational strategies that will allow you to manage a large unstructured project. Know your strengths and weaknesses when it comes to organization and time management. Know your preferences for how you handle projects.

5. ESTABLISH RELATIONSHIPS Establish relationships that give you mentoring, technical assistance and emotional support. People who can help: Advisor Other Faculty Graduate Colleagues Graduate School Administrator Librarians Transcriptionist Statistician

6. REJUVENATE Find creative ways to balance your work and personal life so you avoid becoming exhausted.

7. TAKE ONE STEP AT A TIME Since developing a long-term goal of completing a thesis or dissertation can be overwhelming, develop short-term goals that you can accommodate day-to-day. Have a clear understanding of the steps to completing a research project. Try to stay focused on the current task or goal at hand. Read 2-3 articles at a time or work on reference lists, graphs and charts.

8. ESTABLISH A SOLID RELATIONSHIP WITH YOUR ADVISOR Be professional with your advisor. Make sure your work styles are compatible. Show up for meetings and recognize the complexity of the relationship. Make an effort to resolve any problems. Determine what motivates your advisor and what s/he expects you to accomplish.

9. ESTABLISH AGREEMENTS Establish agreements with your advisor and committee early on. If suggested changes or modifications come up as your research topic evolves you have the agreement to reference. Clarify how and when feedback will be provided and who can provide feedback at what point in the research process.

10. LET GO OF PERFECTION Don’t allow perfectionist standards to interfere with progress on your research. The best thesis or dissertation is a DONE one!

TIME TO REFLECT Choose two of the tips that really resonated with you and write down one or two ways you will respond to the recommendation(s), as well as a timeline for doing so.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

ELLEN MEENTS-DECAIGNY Contact Information