Queen's Learning Commons

Step 3: Anticipate dissertation project expenses and investigate funding opportunities.

• Consider the financial aspects of prioritizing time, space, and resources for dissertation work (e.g., reducing teaching or other employment, daycare for children, photocopying, book purchases, etc.)
• Explore dissertation research grants through Queen's University and other organizations.

Step 4: Think about the "little picture."

• Map out all of your absolutely unbreakable time commitments to identify what time is available for dissertation work and use that time for a day-to-day version of your work plan
• Make decisions about what low priority commitments you can remove from your schedule; what forms of rest, recreation, and support you’ll want to schedule in to help you sustain your process; and when and how you work best to take advantage of your strengths

         Consider ideas from other dissertation writers:
             -  Establish a regular work schedule (for example, 8 – 10am daily)
             -  Find productive and positive work spaces (home office, campus office, library
                carrel, coffee shop, etc.)
             -  Set a daily page limit rather than time limit to push you to be productive
             -  Eliminate distractions to keep focused (turn off the phone, wear headphones in
                a public space, etc.)
             -  Create "ready to write" rituals that help you get started everyday (favourite cup
                of coffee, background music, etc.)
             -  Do "mindless work" like formatting, transcribing, etc. when you are blocked to
                keep making progress

 

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