Criticism

How do you deal with criticism? A few common examples are: being told that your writing needs help, that you have to do yet another revision, or that you are not going to be done this term, because the paper needs more work. There are a number of possible responses to such news. You can deny that there is a problem; you can argue with the critic; or you can pout and refuse to respond to them.

A better solution is to take control and ask yourself: what can I do to fix this? If writing help is suggested, listen to the comments. Form a plan of action. It may help to talk to the faculty member and talk through the issues that he or she is seeing in your paper.

Criticism is always difficult, no one likes to be told bad news, and faculty do not like to give such news. However, both parties must keep the end goal in sight: to get you done. Think of it as doing whatever it takes. If it means working with an editor or rewriting that chapter one more time, do it. You do not need to feel embarrassed, it is not a failing of yours; it is simply one more step that must be taken on this long journey.

Remember that you go into the dissertation process with an general idea of what to do in order to complete a research project. The final dissertation is an applied proof of your research ability. Of course, you will not be great at everything! That is why you have faculty available to consult with you. It is why only experienced researchers are faculty mentors. This is a difficult process, and everyone has problems along the way.

Be tough, listen to the criticism, and move on. Learn what you need to learn; after all someday you may also be a research mentor!

Next time, I will give an overview of the dissertation process.. 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