Completing a Ph.D. is a huge milestone, and it’s one that deserves to be celebrated. A graduation gift is a great way to recognize a newly-minted graduate’s accomplishments and acknowledge the years’ worth of hard work and commitment that made their achievement possible. But what to give them?
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When thinking about pursuing a Ph.D., one of the most pressing questions for many prospective graduate students is about the time commitment. In addition to the intellectual rigor of a Ph.D. program, it also demands a great deal of time.
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Ph.D. is an abbreviation for the Latin term Philosophiae Doctor, more commonly known as Doctor of Philosophy. It is the highest possible degree that can be obtained, and the most recent US census indicates that about 1% of the population holds this degree. Having a Ph.D. is a distinction that indicates subject matter expertise, and it is a prerequisite for most faculty appointments at universities. But this information barely scratches the surface of what a Ph.D. really stands for.
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No one ever said that getting a Ph.D. is easy (trust me, no one!), and the hard truth is that it’s no walk in the park. While graduate students’ experiences in their doctoral programs vary widely, almost everyone hits a wall at some point during the dissertation process. The reality is, writing your dissertation is likely the greatest intellectual challenge you’ve ever faced. Most graduate students encounter one or two major roadblocks along the way.
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The journey to earning a Ph.D. can often feel like going through a crucible. At times, you may find yourself wondering if you will emerge stronger, having been forged in fire? Or will you be reduced to ash? What happens when the Virgil assigned to guide you through the furthest reaches of the academic underworld goes MIA?
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When it comes to writing most academic manuscripts, dissertations, and theses, we end at the beginning: with the abstract. Don’t be fooled by the brevity of this section, though; it contains multitudes, and the entire ecosystem of that piece of writing resides within. Short and mighty, a good abstract packs a punch, and reading and writing abstracts is an essential skill for every scholar to master.
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Imposter syndrome is the great dragon of academia, and a vicious foe that must be slain. One of the great paradoxes of academic life is that the more expertise you gain in your field, the less confidence you have in your intellectual abilities. Often starting very early in their Ph.D. program, many academics get a nagging feeling of inadequacy, one that tends to linger throughout their time in graduate school and beyond.
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While there are no shortcuts when it comes to writing a dissertation, there are certainly strategies you can use to make the process as organized, straightforward, and painless as possible.
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Lights, camera, action! Movies (or films, if you’re feeling fancy) are among the most frequently-cited references in academic writing. From undergraduate papers to doctoral dissertations, movies are often the subject of analysis and critique, as well as powerful visual illustrations of theoretical concepts brought to life on screen. Whether you are writing about horror or romantic comedies, comic book franchises or high-concept art, movies are a critical aspect of the cultural conversation.
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The moment your dissertation is accepted by your university’s graduate college is one of sweet relief. You’ve reached the end of a very long road, and the work is done. Or is it? For many academics, the siren song of pursuing publication strikes not long after the ink is dry on their diploma. The idea of seeing your name in a prestigious academic journal or emblazoned on the spine of a book is indeed tempting. However, submitting to academic journals or becoming a published author can be a lengthy journey of its own.
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