Fall reflections

It is now September. To me September always brings to mind the starting of school, autumn, dry colorful leaves crackling under foot as you walk. I always loved the start of fall quarter in college, buying new books that were going to lead my mind in totally new directions. Getting notebooks and new pens. Thinking about the new possibilities was exciting. 

You are starting a new quarter, a new beginning. Take a few moments to reflect on how far you have come- you are working on your doctorate! You have completed 12 years of schooling through high school, 4 years as an undergrad, probably another 2 years for a master's degree, and are now working on the highest degree available, a doctorate. You are one of an elite few who have the opportunity and ability to get this far in their education. It is so easy to get caught up in the minutiae of the degree, that sometimes we forget to notice the big picture- the wonder of actually having gotten this far. 

Think about your dissertation for a moment. You are conducting a professional research study; it will be a demonstration of your learning, creativity, and a reflection of your education. This is the final proof of your achievements in graduate school and your ability to be a professional. 

As you begin to consider your fall quarter, think about being more rigorous in your scheduling of time for your dissertation. Make it a priority. Do you best work. Get some support through your peers. Do all that you can to complete your degree and have a dissertation that you are truly proud of. 

Next time, we will take a look at conciseness. Do you have an issue or a question that you would like me to discuss in a future post? Send me an email with your ideas. leann.stadtlander@waldenu.edu