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Starting the Dissertation the ‘Write’ Way

Janine Morris, Ph.D.

NSU Writing & Communication Center

College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences

July 12, 2019

NSU Writing & Communication Center

https://www.nova.edu/wcc/

• One-on-one consultations• In person & online• 954-262-3008• https://nova.mywconline.com/

• Writing Workshops• In person & online

• Weekly Write-Ins• Mondays 5-7 pm until July 27• https://www.gotomeet.me/nsuwc

c• Will resume in the fall

WCC Services for Graduate Students

By the end of this session you will know:

1. Identify productivity challenges you currently face

2. Understand the importance of time management

3. Customize strategies for creating good study habits

4. Develop techniques to keep information organized

5. Anticipate roadblocks and develop a plan for success

Learning Objectives

prewriting writing

editing / proofreading rewriting

writing process

The Writing Process

from the Excelsior Online Writing Lab

Identify Productivity Challenges

Spend a few minutes & create a list of challenges you face when it comes to getting writing and research done. For example:

• Too many competing projects

• Not enough uninterrupted time

• Trouble prioritizing

• Work-life balance

Time Management

Where Does the Time Go?“Being an overachiever can lead to poor time management & reduced productivity” (“10 Surprising Time Management Strategies”)

Understand How You Allocate Time• Track your time for a week (be honest!)

• Identify intellectual (“mind-intensive”) vs. drudgery (“time-intensive) activities

• Create a list of the things you’re doing or involved in. • Which of those do you have to do? Which do you want to do? For the

ones you don’t want to do, why are you doing them?

• Identify your worries & come up with a plan to tackle them.

Time Management Tips• Realize it’s ok to make mistakes (we’re all learning!)

• Learn to say “NO” & politely decline

• Divide big tasks into manageable chunks

• Write in small amounts

• Turn off your phone (uninstall social media apps)

• Make time for things you enjoy (instead of wasting time doing other things)

• Prioritize your health

• Use a planner(time management resources from U of Toronto’s “time management tips for graduate students“ & “Grad School Hub’s “5 Time Mangaement Habits” https://www.gradschoolhub.com/lists/5-time-management-habits-for-graduate-students/)

Put Things in Perspective (Enjoy the process!)

Create Good Habits

Understand your writing and research processes:

• How much time do you designate to reading?

• How much time do you designate to writing?

• What kind of environment do you need?

Spend a few minutes and describe your ideal writing setting.

• Where are you?

• What time of day is it?

• What are you hearing?

• What objects are around you?

• What are you feeling?

What’s your Ideal Space?

set blocks of time*

Find Others to Keep you Accountable

Monday Night Writes ( 5-7 pm) with the WCC via GoToMeeting

Start a writing group

Make it a habit

Schedule it

Tips for Early Stages of Writing• Write sooner

• Graduate—level writing can become paralyzing because of its size & importance

• Freewrite

• White font

• Write continually• Don’t stop writing!

• Don’t be afraid if what you write

isn’t where you want it to be!

• Read• A lot!

HOCs vs. LOCs

Give yourself time to revise.

Print out your draft.

Stay Organized

Start a Research Journal or Notebook

• New ideas

• Questions

• Points to return to

• Free writes

• To do lists

Other Tips to Stay Organized

• Buy a planner

• Create an effective workspace (minimize distractions)

• Buy a memory stick or external hard drive. Back up your files regularly.

• Make appointments with yourself for writing (Dr’s appointments)

Folders are your Friend

Folders are your Friend

Folders are your Friend

Review File Naming Conventions

• Keep names short but meaningful

• Keep dates consistent YYYYMMDD

• Order elements in the most relevant way (e.g., AuthorNameTitleYear)

• Include versions in the file name

• Use meaningful folder names Tips from Staffing Industry Analysis (https://www2.staffingindustry.com/site/Editorial/Archived-Blog-Posts/Adam-Pode-s-Blog/Probably-the-best-file-naming-convention-ever)

Come up with a PlanReturn to the list you created at the beginning:

• Which roadblocks are most significant?

• How will you handle them?

• What tools/resources/people do you need to help you succeed?

Saturday Writing Bootcamp

• 12:45-3:45 pm

• NSU Writing & Communication Center (ASL 430)

Saturday & Sunday One-on-One Consultations

• 12:45-3:45 pm

• DeSantis 3046

• Sign up for your session here: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/11lWNsUV6IPwa2XpOgivDwCxAanBaxfa6ZCMOijpt9Is/edit?usp=sharing

WCC Support During the Fischler Institute

The WCC is here for you!