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 academic 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!
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