Books and Dissertations
August 9th is National Book Lovers Day. Celebrate by taking a little break with your favorite book, and then rededicating your yourself to becoming a published author in your own right by completing your dissertation…
Some books are instructive. Some books are informative. Some are entertaining. Some are mesmerizing.
As a doctoral student, you’ve certainly spent a fair amount of your life surrounded by books. And, now you’re working on writing and publishing your very own book.
On National Book Lovers Day, take some time to remember why you love books. Pick up a favorite and re-read a a chapter or two. Pick up a new novel and get lost in it for an hour or two.
It’s important to make sure that you’re punctuating your dissertation work with periods of rest, relaxation, and recuperation. I’m not say that you should be trying to avoid your dissertation. Far from it.
You should commit to spending 10 – 15 productive hours per week on your dissertation project. I advise my students to set aside an hour or two five or six days per week and pick up any additional time over the weekend.
But, 10 – 15 hours per week is not 30 – 40 hours per week. Don’t let Parkinson’s Law stretch your dissertation to fill every corner of your schedule. Take time to focus on other interests. Give your brain a chance to process, to assimilate the articles you read, to make creative connections.
So, on National Book Lovers Day, give yourself permission to enjoy a good book. Your brain will thank you, and so will your dissertation!
