Time Management for PhD Students

Marcy Marinelli, Ph.D.Learning Assistance Service

Ph.D. Completion Project WorkshopSeptember 13, 2013

Identify roadblocks on the journey to PhD completion

Learn why goals are important to your success

Learn how to set goals and sub-goals Learn strategies to break tasks into

manageable pieces Learn strategies to manage time and avoid

procrastination and self-sabotage Identify ways to get back on track

Objectives

Does this sound familiar??

Transition from student to scholar – am I good enough?

Impostor Syndrome Ambiguity of the task Lack of structure – independent research Loneliness Exhaustion Motivation Procrastination/Poor Time Management Irrational Beliefs/Expectations/Self-Talk Perfectionism

Internal Roadblocks

Work Juggling multiple responsibilities Expectations of family and friends Advisor/Committee Issues Environmental Distracters Financial Issues

External Roadblocks

“Write my dissertation” is not a good goal SMART Goals

Specific Measurable Attainable Realistic Testable

Start with a Goal

Goals provide a road map Goals provide a deadline Goals provide motivation Goals maintain motivation Once one goal has been achieved, need to

set another Written goals that you commit to are more

likely to be achieved

Why Goals?

Think about a dissertation task you would like to accomplish and write a SMART goal.

Example: Read articles for my literature review and write up.

SMART goal: To prepare for my literature review I will identify and read 30 articles on attachment theory and write that section of the lit review by November 1, 2013.

Writing a SMART goal

I will identify and read 30 articles on attachment theory and write this section of the lit review by November 1, 2013.

September 15- 20– Do search on Library website for articles; identify 30 articles most relevant to my topic; read abstracts; decide which articles are most useful

September 20-30 – Read and take notes on 3 articles per day October 1-17 – Write rough draft of attachment theory

section of literature review October 18-October 31 – Polish and finalize this section November 1 – Send to advisor!

Divide goals into sub-goals

The Typical PhD’s Week

Prime Time Chunking Learn to say “NO!” For many of us the toughest thing is getting

started!

Time Management Basics

Procrastination

Procrastination = the art of making something into more than it is, until it expands into more than it needs to be; learned habit that lies in avoidance through diversionary activities

2 stages Active - impulse to delay – triggered by

negative mood, boredom, threat, discomfort, or other imagined negative condition; avoidance activities

Passive - Reassure self that later is better; make excuses, false justifications

Self-Sabotage

Creating obstacles to your goals so that you have an excuse if you fail (Kearns, Gardiner & Marshall, 2008)

Ego protective

Overcommitting Busyness Perfectionism Procrastination Disorganization Lack of effort Choose performance

debilitating conditions

Make a choice not to procrastinate, have a good plan and take the first step

Make sure you have a realistic, measurable goal for each dissertation session

Identify obstacles and patterns of behavior that get in the way of goal achievement

Explore the costs of the patterns Take action Identify and challenge your beliefs

Avoiding Procrastination and Self-Sabotage

First things first question Five Minute Method Write by hand Turn off your wireless or use a blocking app Turn off your cell phone Get into the writing habit – time and place

Avoiding Procrastination andSelf-Sabotage

Don’t let a lapse become a collapse Learn from your mistakes Sometimes you have to take a break! Reconnect with your goals and vision Use affirmations to remind you that you can

do this Seek support from friends and family.

Getting Back on Track

What is the most right way for me to devote my time and energy today?

What is the one thing I can learn from today that will help me tomorrow?

Questions to Ask Yourself