Grad School

Why is Being ABD so Hard?

September 16, 2018

Probably every ABD grad student asks him or herself this question… The answer to this question can be found throughout this website, and is frequently addressed in my newsletter (signup in upper left corner of this page.) I get many letters telling me how helpful the newsletter can be. ABD’s in the humanities seem to …

Why are Dissertation Groups Helpful?

September 16, 2018

This question addresses the kind of dissertation groups that are held in one’s department, and not the dissertation coaching groups that I run as a dissertation coach. Here are some of the reasons that a dissertation group helps. It gives you a deadline that is more frequent and obvious than either self-imposed deadlines or the …

What is Coaching?

September 16, 2018

Coaching is a relatively new field. For some time, executives have had coaches to help them optimize their performance in the workplace. Academics, on the other hand, have had to rely on themselves, mentors, or peers. Unfortunately, though, academia can be a lonely place. It is sometimes difficult to find someone who is available, knowledgeable, …

Is Coaching Ethical?

September 16, 2018

People are sometimes confused about the role of the coach. Unlike some of the services easily found on the Internet, which offer the services of writers and researchers who perform the actual work for you, coaching is completely ethical. It is not necessary for the coach to even know about your field of study. Coaches …

How Do I Start My Own Dissertation Group?

September 16, 2018

If there isn’t already a dissertation group running in your department, or for some reason you can’t join one in existence, here are some ideas for starting a dissertation group of your own. Send an email to your graduate listserv announcing your intention to start a new group. Write down some suggested agendas and then …

How Do I Deal With Loneliness?

September 16, 2018

Many graduate students complain of loneliness, particularly once they have finished their classes and are officially All But Dissertation. There are many reasons for this: Many hours spent alone, researching, reading and writing The tendency to feel that others are progressing faster than you, leading to self isolation out of shame Family members and friends …

How Do I Deal with a Difficult Advisor

September 16, 2018

The answer to this question will depend on the nature of your difficulty. Here are some quick ideas. You will find many more answers in the articles and archived newsletters on this site. Consider opening up a discussion on the forum about this issue (see “Forums: Discuss it” in the left hand column of this …