Archive Monthly Archives: February 2018

Jules Verne and Dissertations

February 8th is Jules Verne’s birthday. Here are a few words of wisdom from the author of 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea for dissertation students everywhere… Science, my lad, is made up of mistakes, but they are mistakes which it is useful to make, because they lead little by little to the truth. — Jules Verne Indeed […]

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Charles Dickens and Dissertations

February 7th is Charles Dickens’ birthday. Here are a few words of wisdom from the creator of Ebenezar Scrooge, Tiny Tim, Pip, Miss Havisham, and the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, & Future for dissertation students everywhere… The most important thing in life is to stop saying ‘I wish’ and start saying ‘I will.’ Consider […]

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POTUS 40 and Dissertations

February 6th marks the birthday of the 40th President of the United States. Here’re some words of wisdom from Ronald Reagan that you can apply to your dissertation… There are no constraints on the human mind, no walls around the human spirit, no barriers to our progress except those we ourselves erect. — Ronald Reagan […]

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Butterflies and Dissertations

February 5th is Western Monarch Day. These beautiful butterflies are known for their spectacular semi-annual migrations. But, they also offer an important message for dissertation students… At least once a week a student contacts me and asks why their committee members won’t “let” them graduate. Although I often tell students that they will graduate when […]

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Facebook and Dissertations

On February 4, 2014, Mark Zuckerberg launched The Facebook for students at Harvard University. Now, over 1 in every 4 people on the planet use Facebook on a monthly basis. Is Facebook keeping you from getting your dissertation done?… A few months ago, I spoke with Stacey, a mother of four high-school and college-aged children. […]

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The Day The Music Died and Dissertations

February 3rd is National The Day The Music Died. Music can help you relax & recharge, celebrate your successes, or focus on the task at hand. Good medicine for any dissertation student… On February 3, 1959, we loss Buddy Holly, Richie Valens, and J.P. Richardson, aka “The Big Bopper” on a charter flight between shows. […]

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Groundhog Day and Dissertations

February 2nd is National Groundhog Day. Will Punxsutawney Phil see his shadow? Will the winter of your dissertation stretch on for another six weeks? It will if you don’t break out of your loop… In the 1993 movie, Groundhog Day, Bill Murray’s on-location news reporter found himself stuck in a loop, repeating Groundhog Day over […]

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Getting Back Up and Dissertations

February 1st is National Get Up Day. The dissertation process can certainly get you down at times. Here’re some words to help you get back up… Fall down seven times, get up eight. — Japanese Proverb I’m a great believer in luck, and I find the harder I work, the more I have of it. […]

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