TA-DA! Summer Break Challenge
Mark Victor Hansen, Ph.D. co-author to the Chicken Soup Series writes "It's not the size of the step that gets you there. It's the fact that you're taking the step."
A group of students at the University of Maryland will be participating in "Dissertation House on Campus" for three weeks. Some will be participating on-line and others will meet daily from 9:00am-5:00 pm. Join us, as we work on our proposals, theses, or dissertations.
Many people use the TA-DA! Summer Break Challenge to take a step on getting one thing accomplished and setting a schedule to get that one thing done. They get that one thing done and then are able to enjoy their break without the sense of guilt looming in the background. Other people set out to see how much they can accomplish in 21 days.
Many of you already work with deadlines. If you're joining this challenge, your deadline is July 27, 2007. Let's see how much can you get done in 3 weeks! Are you ready?
Steps to participate
- Set up your FREE Google account at www.gmail.com
- Post the answers to these questions
- What will you work on?
- How much time will you spend daily working on it?
- Tell us how much progress you are making, or problems you are having.
- At the end of everyday plan what you want to accomplish the following day
Here are some helpful tips:
- Breakdown your tasks into bite-size manageable chunks and make a list and post that list in a public space.
- Make a daily commitment to work on your thesis or dissertation. Set aside a reasonable amount of time each day to work on your thesis or dissertation. You can get a lot done in 15 minutes a day.
- Work within your limitations . . . if you are a morning person by all means make yourself some coffee and spend 15 minutes with your dissertation before everyone else rises . . . if you are a night owl . . . turn the TV off 15 minutes earlier and write for 15 minutes.
- Celebrate small victories when you accomplish your tasks for the day. Spend the rest of the day guilt-free enjoying your Summer Break knowing that you have done something (no matter how small) on your dissertation.
- Whatever you do, don't spend the week constantly worrying and saying to yourself 'I really should be working'. Above all, enjoy your Summer Break.
posted by Dr. Carter @ Wednesday, July 04, 2007
151 Comments:
At Wednesday, July 04, 2007,
Dr. Carter said…
Welcome to our three week Summer Break Challenge.
TADA! Thesis and Dissertation Accomplished challenges you to take the first step...
http://tadafinallyfinished.com/ready/index.html
At Monday, July 09, 2007,
George M. Chinnery said…
I plan to develop my focus group questionnaire, my dissertation proposal outline, and write my methods section.
At Monday, July 09, 2007,
Mark said…
This week I am planning to complete a draft of my literature review (Chapter 2) and the front and back matter (cover page, table of contents, and bibliography).
At Monday, July 09, 2007,
Malini said…
Hi,
This week I plan to complete a dissertation outline of my chapters. I will also have the cover page, table of contents, bibliography and signature page.
-Malini
At Monday, July 09, 2007,
Judith said…
This week, I am planning to work on Chapter 4. This is a manuscript for publication. I plan to write an outline of the paper, decide on the figures and text for each section, and complete the analysis (results and discussion section).
At Monday, July 09, 2007,
Adrienne said…
1) I plan to complete an outline of my dissertation.
2)I plan to make soft deadlines toward finishing degree.
3) I also plan to setup ideas of how my publications flow into my dissertation.
At Monday, July 09, 2007,
Loretta said…
Good morning, all!
I want to complete a solid first draft of Chapter 1 of my dissertation this week. -- las
At Monday, July 09, 2007,
M said…
\Hi, all!
Today, I plan to do two things: (1) read through my dissertation proposal and (2) send my methodology/surveys/experiment to my contact person at the retirement community I am working with. I have to think about what my overall 27 day goal will be.
At Monday, July 09, 2007,
Marcella said…
Hi, all!
I am planning to finish two things today: (1) read my dissertation proposal, focusing on the methodology section and (2) send my surveys and experiment (methodology) information to my contact person at the retirement community I am working at. I have not thought about what my 27 day goal will be.
Thanks,
Marcella
At Monday, July 09, 2007,
Niccole said…
Now that my topic is solidified, I will use this week to work on the structure of the entire dissertation. I will review two dissertations for similar set ups so that I am aware of what is expected of my work.
I will also set up an appointment with my advisor that will take place after our three week summer break challenge!
I will spend a minimum of four hours per day on this effort. I have quit a consulting job so that I can focus my energies to move my dissertation forward.
At Monday, July 09, 2007,
Niccole said…
I will spend at least four hours per day working on my dissertation. I can accomplish this because I have quit my consulting gig so that I can focus my energies.
This week, I will work on reviewing two dissertations that have a similar format as mine. I will also structure my dissertation so that I know what to expect.
I will also set up an appointment with my advisor after the summer break challenge ends.
At Monday, July 09, 2007,
Erica said…
This week I plan to catalogue articles on school based vaccination, police power. I will revised my decision matrix chart and read Poltical Language.
At Monday, July 09, 2007,
Dr. Carter said…
Thank you all for checking in...Marcella and Erica welcome to the online side of the Challenge and Dissertation House!
We are almost out of here...today we tried a 30 minute exercise on writing that you can try at home i.e. just writing/typing for 30 minutes without stopping to edit.
Pick a section that you want to write on and just free write for 30 minutes and see how much you can get done. Don't edit don't spell check just write.
See you all on Tues.
At Monday, July 09, 2007,
joanna said…
This week I plan on finishing a complete draft Chapter 3 of my dissertation proposal.
At Monday, July 09, 2007,
Dr. Carter said…
Hi all
I am a late night person but I have to be at the Dissertation House early in the morning.
Niccole I hope that at the end of the challenge you have a TOC and a bibliography of your dissertation ready for your advisor to review.
Wishing you all best see you all Tues.
At Tuesday, July 10, 2007,
Chaney said…
This week I will solidify my statistical procedure and work to get a better understanding of how to recode my variables.
At Tuesday, July 10, 2007,
Sally said…
I wish i can finish the section that i am working on for one year now, this week. Dr. Carter, i am exactly what you discribed in this month edition as being a perfectionist in writing and i never finish because i keep repeating what i have written over and over again and keep searching over and over again.
I hope i can stop this habit. I wish so!!
At Tuesday, July 10, 2007,
Dr. Carter said…
Good Morning all,
Another day another paragraph....come on you can do it.
Sally we at TADA believe a good dissertation is a Done dissertation not the perfect dissertation. You can do this...hire an editor if you have to---that can free you up to write without editing at the same time.
We here at the Dissertation House on campus are gearing up for another day join us.
At Tuesday, July 10, 2007,
Mark said…
I am making progress on my lit review. The chapter now has a clearer outline, and will be focusing today on my lit review chart.
At Tuesday, July 10, 2007,
George M. Chinnery said…
Today, Tuesday, I plan to write my methods chapter. Time-permitting, I will also work on my questionnaire.
At Tuesday, July 10, 2007,
Tommy said…
I had a very good day yesterday. I revisited my Methods section. I created a table and completed two paragraphs.
Today I will work on describing various tools used in my study.
At Tuesday, July 10, 2007,
Judith said…
Yesterday I finished the outline for the manuscript. I realized though, that I did not purposefully evaluate the manuscript in light of my research question. Today, I will.
At Tuesday, July 10, 2007,
Adrienne said…
In addition to my goals for yesterday, I completed the cover, TOC, approval, and title page! Yeah!
I'm still working on putting together my outline for my dissertation. I'm looking forward to having something significant today.
At Tuesday, July 10, 2007,
mk2979 said…
This is day 2 of Dissertation House.
I hope to start my methods chapter and continue on the intro section of the big D.
Good luck everyone!
At Tuesday, July 10, 2007,
hkholdenva said…
Hello All,
Yesterday was very successful. I am almost finished completing my independent study paper. My goal is to finish it before 10:30, and immediately afterwards I will be working on my proposal. Good luck everyone!!! I hope you all have a productive day!
Sincerely,
Heather Holden
At Tuesday, July 10, 2007,
Niccole said…
Yesterday went well. I reviewed several dissertations and actually purchased a dissertation online that I thought would be beneficial to my work.
I have almost decided on a model that I will use for my methodology section - I need to look at it with fresh eyes today to be sure.
At Tuesday, July 10, 2007,
Derek said…
After a scare yesterday, everything seems to be going well for my wife. No baby yet. He/she isn't due for another month. Today I will be working from home and exploring the integration of a comparison group into my methodology. I will review three studies from my lit review, establish potential comparison groups, and review some tools for statistical analysis. I hope to be back with you all tomorrow.
At Tuesday, July 10, 2007,
Malini said…
I wrote an outline yesterday and after reviewing it, I will begin working on one of my results chapters
At Tuesday, July 10, 2007,
Dr. Carter said…
Another day at the dissertation House.
We talked about how to overcome Writer's block.
10 Tips Help You Overcome Writer's Block
1. Read previous papers that you have written well.
2. Free write without editing or worrying about the grammar.
3. Write in your own voice or language and then translate it into academic ease.
4. Journal every morning to clear your mind.
5. Mind mapping--to draw connections from one concept to next.
6. Separate out your chapter, section, paragraph from the rest of document.
7. Use a recorder or cell phone and leave yourself a message about your paragraph if you can't write.
8. Put some distance between you and your writing to give yourself some time to re-read it with a clear mind. Otherwise read in reverse order instead of front to back.
9. Use an outline with a thesis sentence for every paragraph you will write. Or use bullets to make the points that describe what the paragraph is suppose to be about.
10. Leave the transition sentences until the end.
I am headed home quite exhausted. But you can check off another day that you have worked on your thesis or dissertation. You can enjoy your evening without the sense of guilt.
At Tuesday, July 10, 2007,
Marcella said…
I did complete my goals for Monday. However, I did not get much done today. Tomorrow, I will look at my data and try to begin organizing it in some way. I also would like to try the 30-minute non-stop writing exercise.
Marcella
At Wednesday, July 11, 2007,
Dr. Carter said…
Good Morning All
Marcella you might consider creating some basic tables i.e using the demographic varibles from your data.
Today is another opportunity to work on your dissertation. What will you do today to move your thesis or dissertation forward?
Have you done your cover page?
Dedication Page?
Abstract?
Remember it doesn't have to be perfect it just has to be done!
At Wednesday, July 11, 2007,
George M. Chinnery said…
Today, I'm going to continue working on my Methods chapter, with a particular focus on the instruments.
At Wednesday, July 11, 2007,
Malini said…
Today I plan to continue working on my results chapter, adding in some figures and legends.
At Wednesday, July 11, 2007,
hkholdenva said…
Hello All,
So today I plan on working on three sections of my proposal: the background, statement of purpose, and significance. Good luck all!!
-Heather
At Wednesday, July 11, 2007,
Tommy said…
Good morning!
Today I will work on an outline for my method section. I will then revisit and edit sections of the methods sections already written.
Tommy
At Wednesday, July 11, 2007,
marykay said…
Good morning writers
Today I would like to work on my intro chapter to sent to my committee members.
Good luck / good work to all
At Wednesday, July 11, 2007,
Judith said…
It's so easy to start working on something else rather that what's on your Goals List! It's been very helpful to have the Goals List in front of me. I finished the outline for my Introduction section, in which I describe my contribution and hypotheses (following an excellent article by Dr. Christine Feak). Now I will be working on the Results section, particularly listing the Figures to answer the hypotheses.
At Wednesday, July 11, 2007,
Marcella said…
Hello, all!
Dr. Carter, your suggestion sounds more focused. So today I will create some basic tables using the demographic varibles from my data.
Marcella
At Wednesday, July 11, 2007,
Chikao said…
Hello all,
I have been lost in the cyberspace in the last couple of days, posting somewhere none can reach. I hope this will land in the right spot. My plan to globally expand my dissertation proposal Chapters 1 through 3 today and hopefully by the end of the day, I can send the revised proposal to my dissertation chair. If not, by the end of July 13th. Chik Tsubaki
At Wednesday, July 11, 2007,
Derek said…
Today I completed the majority of my lit review chart and was able to reschedule an appoinment with one of my committee members. My goals for tomorrow are to complete the chart and create two agendas for my upcoming meetings.
At Wednesday, July 11, 2007,
Dr. Carter said…
Hello All
Another day at the "Dissertation House" on campus.
Today we discussed how you should prepare for meetings with your advisor:
1. Prepare an agenda with questions ahead of time.
2. Use your TADA Methods Journal Take notes during the meeting.
3. Call ahead if you are going to be late or can't make your scheduled meeting.
4. Prepare a cover sheet when you give your advisor/comm member something to read...letting them know what type of feedback you are looking for.
5. Send a follow up email confirming everything you agreed to in the meeting.
6. Treat the admin staff well because they are the gatekeepers between you and the faculty....
Another day another paragraph...
Well done folks...see you on Thurs.
At Wednesday, July 11, 2007,
Renetta Garrison Tull said…
Hello everyone,
This afternoon I discussed the MADE format for paragraph structure, but I didn't give enough details for the notes. Here is more information for the MADE format:
M: Message
Tell the audience the main idea of the paragraph. State the message that you want to convey.
A: Action
What is the “action” that you want the reader to take? What is the “action” that you, the author, will take on the topic?
D: Details
Provide details to support the message and the action that you are taking.
E: Evidence
Support the details with a concluding sentence that solidifies your message.
------
MADE is based on Dianna Booher's method of writing (Book: WOULD YOU PUT THAT IN WRITING?) The book focused on business writing, and memos in particular. But several people have used it for long reports, theses, and dissertations. I used the style for my own dissertation and still use it for various abstracts and grant proposals.
About Dianna Booher:
http://www.dianna-booher.com/New-Publishedworks.html
We also discussed use of the Strunk & White short reference, THE ELEMENTS OF STYLE.
We've posted information here:
http://www.umbc.edu/promise/forum/viewtopic.php?t=2519
We conducted the 30 minute "Raw Drafting" writing without editing exercise again today. I learned about this method at one of our PROMISE seminars at College Park, the facilitator was Dr. Ben Dean of MentorCoach.
Keep up the good work everyone!
-Dr. Tull
At Thursday, July 12, 2007,
Malini said…
Hi everyone,
Yesterday I completed an Intro outline for Chapter 2 and was able to add a few figures and tables along with some writing. Today, I plan to continue with the results section of this chapter and if completed, go back and complete the introduction.
I will be out today, but I hope everyone has a productive day.
At Thursday, July 12, 2007,
Dr. Carter said…
Good Morning All
You all know what it is for me in the morning; but I'm here.
Well the Dissertation House on campus is almost over.
We've made some progress I hope that you can continue this progress until the FinishLine.
It's a new day and time for a new paragraph....
Do something today to move your dissertation forward.
At Thursday, July 12, 2007,
Chikao said…
Hello everyone,
To finish or not to finish the dissertation proposal; that is the question for today. Hopefully I will be finished with a "Winning Dissertation Proposal" by the end of the day as I insert any missing entry for my literature review. I am a creature of habit now, so I will be repeating the same thing today as I did yesterday. Chik Tsubaki, 7/12/07
At Thursday, July 12, 2007,
Mugwump said…
Today, prompted by yesterday's free writing activity, I intend to complete my problem statement. Then I'll return to my Methods chapter and further develop my instruments section.
At Thursday, July 12, 2007,
joanna said…
I've finished statistics section yesterday. Today I'm going to work on finishing my limitations and variables section.
At Thursday, July 12, 2007,
marykay said…
Day 4 of Dissertation house!
Today I plan to firm up my outline and research questions AND send them to two tentative committee members. By next week, I hope to have all 5 committee members and send a formal memo to my department chair.
Good writing everyone!
At Thursday, July 12, 2007,
Derek said…
Yesterday I was able to secure two appointments, one of which is for this afternoon. Today I will review my notes from yesterday's writing exercise and pull ideas to create an agenda for this afternoon's meeting. Additionally, I will complete my literature chart and try to locate a dissertation online that could be useful for my methodology section.
At Thursday, July 12, 2007,
Tommy said…
Yesterday was another good day. I completed an outline. Then I met with Dr. Carter. The result was more positive changes to my out line.
Today, I will continue with the outline and reorganize the methods text to the outline. Later in the day, I will work on completing the methods section. My goal is to be completed with the first draft by tomorrow.
Everyone have a great day!
At Thursday, July 12, 2007,
hkholdenva said…
Hello All,
Today I plan to continue working on the chapter 1 on the proposal. I finished my problem statement and developed an outline for my proposal yesterday.
-Heather
At Thursday, July 12, 2007,
Dr. Carter said…
We talked this morning about rewarding yourself and hiring an editor if you need to.
One of the students said her advisor told her that "you'll know it's time to leave graduate school when you hate your advisor." She told him "it's way beyond that point...nothing personal"
It's important to reward yourself after accomplishing your goals. Noone else will. Quite frankly no one really knows what you are going through except you and those who are going through the process.
Reward yourself and find a good support group if you have to. There is an emotional side to completing the dissertation as well and you have to address your emotional needs as well.
Michelle Tuton is local editor in the Baltimore area.
Try M.Tuton Editing Services at
tutons@verizon.net
At Thursday, July 12, 2007,
Chikao said…
Hello everyone,
I realize that there is always a gap between a plan and its execution; I am still writing the revised version of my research proposal. For tomorrow, I have no excuse not to complete the proposal simply because the sky will fall unless I submit my dissertation proposal to my committee chair.
Chik Tsubaki, 7/12/07
At Thursday, July 12, 2007,
Dr. Carter said…
Hello All
We are almost and the end of the week.
This afternoon we talked a little bit about writing the literature review. More importantly we discuss being able to draw a schematic diagram that tells the story of what our own contribution to the literature will be.
We also spent some time this afternoon discussing our own research. Being able to give the 2, or 5 min "elavator speech" about our research is a useful tool to have. Sometimes we get so lost in the details that we forget the big picture.
Those 2 exercises allow us to recall what our initial research question was and how it fit into the bigger picture.
While some people were able to make 2 min others were not able to make 5. And still some people went over 5 min.
It's important to be able to do both well--tell something about your research quickly and also succintly.
As a PhD student, either on the job market, in the elevator, hallway, or at a conference you will be asked over and over again "Tell me a little something about your research."
You should have a 2 min, 5min or even 10 min answer. You should rehearse that answer until it become automatic. You should have your answer well rehearsed before your dissertation defense.
It's the end of the day...see you tomorrow.
Same bat time same bat channel.
At Friday, July 13, 2007,
Chaney said…
I AM SO PROUD OF MYSELF!!!
I pulled an all-nighter and got SO much accomplished. I can just feel the imminent sunrise patting me on my back saying, "Job well done".
At Friday, July 13, 2007,
Dr. Carter said…
Good Morning all it's 7:57am too early for me ....clearly it's the good for Chaney who pulled an all nighter and was able to get some things done. WoW!!!! We share in your excitement; you make us proud and give us all hope that it can be done if we had to.
I think I am too old for an all nighter; these early mornings alone have really taxed me the past week.
The Dissertation House on campus for UMBC is ending today.
The challenge continues for us on line next week.
Yesterday Dr. Myers dropped by to encourage the group to finish. He told them that the ink is barely dry on his dissertation; he finished 3 months ago with only 3 lines of revisions to make.
You can do this! hang in there.
If you have achieved your goals for this week set some new ones for next week.
Good Morning to you...
another day another paragraph.... let's get started.
At Friday, July 13, 2007,
Chikao said…
Hi Everyone,
Yes, I am almost at the finishing line, but the struggle for a complted proposal will most likely continue on for at least for a day or so. Otherwise, I must work beyond the sunset.
Chik Tsubaki, 7/13/07
At Friday, July 13, 2007,
marykay said…
Last day of Dissertation house at UMBC
I am anxious about leaving this support group, but I feel that this has been a good experience.
Today I will finish chapter 1.
Thanks to everyone!!
At Friday, July 13, 2007,
George M. Chinnery said…
In this the final day, I plan to complete the Background and Problem statement of my intro.
At Friday, July 13, 2007,
joanna said…
I've finished all the sections for chapter 3 and I'm proofreading and editing it today.
At Friday, July 13, 2007,
Derek said…
Today I will be making some revisions to chapter 3 following the suggestions from my advisor after yesterday's meeting. I also will be sending her a follow-up e-mail and creating a new agenda for a meeting with a committee member on Monday. Finally, I will polish my study's research questions.
At Friday, July 13, 2007,
Judith said…
Today is the last day, and I plan to finish the discussion section. I hope to complete the manuscript! Yeay!
At Friday, July 13, 2007,
Mark said…
I will complete my Lit Review Outline and add my new lit on Registration and Persistence.
At Friday, July 13, 2007,
Tommy said…
Hi All,
After a small setback with the outline, I finally made some progress. Thanks Dr. C for clarification and the lyrics. Both really helped. Anyway, the outline is completed.
The Methods Section is about 50% complete. Today I will focus attention to completing the methods section.
This has been a wonderful experience. I have learned so much. My confidence is so high. Thanks to all who made Dissertation House possible.
Tommy
At Friday, July 13, 2007,
hkholdenva said…
Hello All,
Today is the last day:( I plan to complete my background and significance section. Hopefully, by the end of the day, I would have completed chapter 1.
-Heather
At Friday, July 13, 2007,
Renetta Garrison Tull said…
Good morning everyone,
I am logging on to encourage you to continue working toward your goals. You all can and WILL do it!!
At Friday, July 13, 2007,
Renetta Garrison Tull said…
Greetings everyone,
I'd like to review some of the items that were covered in the UMBC DISSERTATION HOUSE - "on campus" this week. I encourage all of you online to consider some of these thoughts for your own schedules. Students in Maryland have the option of meeting with Dr. Carter to discuss these points or do some of the exercises during her drop-in office hours from 12-2 p.m. on Friday afternoons (and on other days by appointment) in the UMBC Graduate School on the 2nd floor of the Administration Building, UMBC Campus.
Recap:
Each day has 3 sessions that are not connected to writing that are set aside for mini-lectures or group discussion. Here is a summary of those activities:
Monday
Goal setting, 30 minute "raw drafting" mini-lecture and exercise.
Tuesday
Tips for overcoming writer's block, 12 minute tasks, 15 minute raw drafting exercise.
Wednesday
How to effectively meet with your advisor (mini-lecture), The MADE format of writing (mini-lecture), 30 minute raw drafting exercise.
Thursday
Assessing needs of the group (discussion), Alumni Visit, Literature Review Schematic (mini-lecture), Elevator pitches exercise.
Friday
Group Discussion: Recap of goals, elevator pitches continued, next steps.
Please do not forget other resources for Ph.D. completion on your campuses, e.g. Dissertation Support Group (Counseling Center), and consider the opportunity to start your own formal or informal group within your department, among friends, or through your membership in a campus or even civic/community organization.
The Maryland DISSERTATION HOUSE experience will be continued in various formats as we move forward to emphasize Ph.D. Completion in Maryland.
Please continue to check-in online and work toward completing your documents. Remember Dr. Carter's mantra, "A GOOD Dissertation is a DONE Dissertation."
At Friday, July 13, 2007,
Chikao said…
Hello,
As a result of the "Dissertation Summer Camp," I have changed my dissertation title to "Effects of Online Tutoring on Students' Performance." The dissertation proposal will be defended on August 27, 2007. The final dissertation will probably be defended in Dec 2007 and will be published without a copyright, so that the public can cite it free. Chik Tsubaki, LLC 9th cohort,A promise-fulfiller, 7/13/07
At Friday, July 13, 2007,
Adrienne said…
Completed all of my goals that I set out to accomplish during the dissertation house and have created additional goals for the week. Thanks Dr. Carter!
At Friday, July 13, 2007,
Derek said…
Thanks Drs. Carter and Tull for a very productive week. The time committment and structure helped to get me reorganized and back on track. I completed my goals for the week and have established attainable goals for this weekend. I wish everyone the best of luck with their research.
At Friday, July 13, 2007,
Dr. Carter said…
Hi all
The Dissertation House on campus is over and I am headed home.
I hope you continue your progress over the weekend and the weeks to come.
It was a pleasure getting to know all of you in the house even if I mispronounced your name or called you by a different name (george).
Feel free to stop by my office to chat about your dissertation, advisor, or whatever you like.
I wish you all the best. Let me know when you finish your degree and or dissertation.
At Friday, July 13, 2007,
Dr. Carter said…
The Dissertation House on campus might be over but those of you who accepted the TADA 3 week challenge still have 2 weeks to go!!!!
If you did not join us at week one feel free to join us on-line for weeks 2 and 3.
At Sunday, July 15, 2007,
Dr. Carter said…
The 2nd week begins today. Don't let the momentum stop. One of the students from last week said "If you work on your thesis or dissertation everyday you can't help but finish it."
Your real fear might be...what do I do after I am finish?
And I say, take it one step at a time and cross that bridge when you get there.
What are you going to do today to move your thesis or dissertation forward?
At Monday, July 16, 2007,
Sally said…
yesterday i spend all night collecting information about the paragraph i want to write. I hope today i can start writing it.
At Monday, July 16, 2007,
Dr. Carter said…
Good Morning All
It's time to begin again. Let's get going today. We are all on-line today.
Let's just focus on today....Let's do something to move the thesis or dissertation forward.
At Monday, July 16, 2007,
blue5956 said…
Thanks to everyone! My online experience last week was very rewarding. It is encouraging to "see" so many people working towards their dissertation.
I have been able to identify the overall structure of my dissertation - I now have the vision! I have also scheduled a meeting with my advisor for 30 July as promised.
In the next two weeks, I will complete a strong draft of my Chapter 1 and outline Chapter 2. The first chapter will be sent to my advisor in advance of our meeting at the end of this month.
I will also try the 30 minute writing exercise at least twice this week.
At Monday, July 16, 2007,
Judith said…
Thanks to the Dissertation House last week I completed a first draft of my manuscript. I am particularly happy with the first paragraph of my Introduction ("the attention grabber") and discussion section. Many thanks to Drs. Carter and Tull!
This week I will be doing some minor revision on the manuscript, and starting on a new manuscript. I hope to be as dedicated and as productive as I was last week.
At Monday, July 16, 2007,
Dr. Carter said…
Hello Judith and blue5956 thanks for checking in...
Good for you to be willing to try the 30 min exercise.
Judith...you said the interruptions slowed you down so now that you are on your own I hope you are able to make much much more progress. Let's us know if this solo time is working for you...
At Monday, July 16, 2007,
Chaney said…
My proposal hearing has been scheduled for next week, July 25! Thanks to the Dissertation House (online)! Checking in with you all daily kept me both encouraged and focused as I worked on my revisions.
My goal this week is to prepare my Power Point presentation and related materials for the hearing.
At Monday, July 16, 2007,
Dr. Carter said…
Chaney, Congratulations on having a defense date set...July 25th,2007
Good Night all; I am headed to bed..Judith I hope you got something done today.
Marcella, Niccole, Sally, Erica???Hey where are my girls at???
It's another week what's going on with you? Is that dissertation complete? What are your goals for this week?
At Tuesday, July 17, 2007,
Dr. Carter said…
Good Morning All
It's another day for you to make progress on your thesis or dissertation.
Remember you can always do something...What is that going to be for you? what can you cross of your list?
If you create an outline for the chapter you will know what each paragraph is going to be about.
Another day another paragraph
At Tuesday, July 17, 2007,
Tommy said…
Hello,
Still working on the Mehtods Chapter. Things are coming together well.
Singing yoour Praise
Best to All
Tommy
At Tuesday, July 17, 2007,
Marcella said…
Hi, all!
I must admit, I am struggling balancing everything but it looks like I'm going to get some help. Anyway, I did work on formatting my dissertation document last Thursday. Today I will try to create some tables from the data I have. I will post later once I complete it.
Marcella
At Wednesday, July 18, 2007,
Sally said…
Hi Dr. Carter
I completed information gathering for the part i want to write. today i am planning to make a connection chart and start free writing
At Wednesday, July 18, 2007,
Dr. Carter said…
Good Morning All
Welcome back, Tommy, Marcella, Judith and Sally....
Marcella you can take the opportunity to write a paragraph about each table you created last week.
Sally if you get stuck you can always try the 30 min free writing exercise or write bullets about what the paragraphs should cover.
Judith have you submitted that paper/chapter for review yet?
George how is that proposal coming?
Mengs you should be done are you moving on to another chapter?
MaryKay I hope you continue to work and will stop by on Friday.
Hey Mark, Adrienne, and Loretta are you done organizing that literature review?
At Wednesday, July 18, 2007,
Dr. Carter said…
Sometimes there is so much literature that we become overwhelmed and do nothing.
We introduced Dr. Christine Feak's method of organization to the Dissertation House last week.
1. Create an Excell spread sheet to help you organize the literature
2. In each column put the following information:
a. Author
b. Year
c. Population studied
d.Sample size
e. Method use
f. Your research Question
Put the information for each article in each column. For column "f" you should answer whether or not the article supports (+), negates (-)
draws even(=) with your research question.
If these column titles don't work for you by all means use titles that do.
With this spreadsheet your advisor will be able to easily look and let you know if you are missing any critical or new studies.
Keep going...
At Thursday, July 19, 2007,
Dr. Carter said…
Hello All
Have you all taken the first step? Fill out the certificate, print and post it on your wall.
It's almost Friday!!!! How is it going?
Where is my Trini friend, Malini? Have you move that chapter from 40% to 70 or 90%?
Don't let a whole week go by without having worked on your dissertation...Really it's don't let another DAY go by.
One graduate student said, your dissertation is like a jealous mistress....when you leave it alone for days, weeks, months on end without paying it any attention.... when you come back you can't start where you left off you have to start the courtship again i.e. getting to know it all over again.
At Friday, July 20, 2007,
Renetta Garrison Tull said…
Hello everyone,
I just wanted to log in to say hello and to encourage you all to keep moving forward! You're making good progress. Even if you came and just looked at this website, you're headed in the right direction because it means that your dissertation is on your mind! Take the extra step and develop a goal for the day, or a goal for next week. Work hard and remember to check in with this site for support! Best wishes everyone!
At Friday, July 20, 2007,
Niccole Chandler said…
Dr. Carter,
Thanks for checking on me. I left a comment on Monday as Blue5956 (technology management at its finest).
All is well - my week has not been as dissertation focued as last week, but I will remedy that over the weekend.
At Friday, July 20, 2007,
Dr. Carter said…
Good Afternoon All
It's Friday and another week has gone by.
If you didn't get much done this week, it's never too late to start again.
Next week I will be on the College Park Campus. Join us as we take part in the Dissertation House on campus.
Have a good weekend and get ready for Monday!
At Friday, July 20, 2007,
Dr. Carter said…
Nearly every person who has ever written a theisis or dissertation gets to a point where the writing slows or, worse, comes to a grinding halt.
It can be frustrating to see your progress slow, especially if you haven't reached your daily, weekly, or monthly goals yet.
Experts call this phase a plateau. Having reached a plateau is not a bad place to be because there are plenty of things that you can still do to keep you on the right track.
You can use your 12 minute lists to keep you going until you are able to write again.
Create tables, create figures, create appendices, Table of Contents, Signature pages, etc.
Moreover, you can use this time to go back and write paragraphs in isolation such as transition paragraphs, write paragraphs to describe your figures or tables, perhaps even your introduction.
At Saturday, July 21, 2007,
hkholdenva said…
Hello Everyone,
It has been a week since my last posting. I have continued to work on my proposal. I have completed the outline for chapter 3 (methodology) and am now ready to start writing. I hope everyone is makeing progress. Good luck for the upcoming week!
Sincerely,
Heather
At Sunday, July 22, 2007,
Dr. Carter said…
Hello all
It's Sunday, the start of a new week and the last week of our TADA Summer Break Challenge.
Even if you didn't jump in at week 1 it's never to late to see how much you can get done in a week.
Is this your week to work on your dissertation? Every day provides another opportunity to get something done.
Thanks Heather and Niccole for coming back and letting us know what you're up to. Heather you can really get the proposal done by the end of the summer.
You gave up your consulting gig...we totally understand Niccole, Dr. Tull told the group at UMBC that at some point your dissertation will become your "main" focus rather than a something you do on the side. That intense focus happens the closer you come to finishing the dissertation.
This week, I will be at the Dissertation House on the UM College Park campus. Join us as we work on, the proposal, a chapter in the dissertation, or a paper/journal article that must get done.
If you will be working on your thesis or dissertation proposal check out our newsletter on writing a proposal.
http://tadafinallyfinished.com/newsletter/news0305B.htm
At Monday, July 23, 2007,
Kevin said…
Good Morning everyone.
I hope that we all are able to accomplish our largest and even our smallest goals throughout this workshop and thereafter.
At Monday, July 23, 2007,
Gleneesha said…
Good morning everyone.
I plan to review the papers I have already read and work on my proposal.
At Monday, July 23, 2007,
ddavies said…
hi - this week I plan to finalize a paper for submission and work on my dissertation proposal
At Monday, July 23, 2007,
Alexis said…
Good morning,
Today I will meaningfully log/organize my lit review sources to help with writing from my outline!
At