“It was only a sunny smile, and little it cost in the giving, but like morning light it scattered the night and made the day worth living.” ~F. Scott Fitzgerald

SURVIVING THE GRADUATE STUDENT JOURNEY Jill Hollembeak, EdD This is a big topic and I clearly don’t have all the answers so my approach to this session will be to offer you suggestions based on my own experience and my work with other graduate students. But there is also collective wisdom in this room. You all have difference experiences and are perhaps at different points in your research journey . MS 1998 – 2003, EdD 2008-2015.

The journey… It’s about ‘you’ 10 tips The challenges The successes The lessons Questions

RESEARCH & YOU Roosevelt University To help us get a snapshot of who you are we are going to do some introductions. Which of these pictures best describes how you feel about research and the task ahead? These pictures are to represent a combination of feelings that people might feel about research, but there is always a joke to be infused, especially about the dog! It evens the playing ground, because there is no right answer and it also demonstrates the combination of perspectives toward research. Name, your program, where you are in your journey and which picture you relate to and why.

10 Tips… …THAT CAN HELP WHEN WORKING ON DISSERTATION OR THESIS

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). Candidacy paper, proposal, dissertation

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. Pair and Share

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 Who are other people who can help or whom you have turned to?

6. Rejuvenate Find creative ways to balance your work and personal life so you avoid becoming exhausted. What are some ways you rejuvenate?

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. For those of you who are in the midst of a research project, what other strategies have you used to stay focused and not get overwhelmed?

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. Other advice people have for working with advisors?

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! Dr Proweller – taking time to read with me and asking me to do a lot!

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. Develop a plan Consider your schedule It’ a job Get organized Establish relationships Rejuvenate One step at a time Advisor relations Establish agreements Let go of perfection

The challenges…. Time Data LRB/IRB Others????

People Time Finished! Lessons learned – you can do it!

“The beautiful spring came; and when Nature resumes her loveliness, the human soul is apt to revive also. ” ~Harriet Ann Jacobs

Jill hollembeak JHOLLEMB@depaul.edu Contact Information Jill hollembeak JHOLLEMB@depaul.edu