In terms of tertiary education around the world, the majority of entrants into university education primarily pursue four-year bachelors degrees. For the most part, these students finish their degrees. For example, 62% of students who had enrolled in a four-year bachelors degree in 2012 (but were allowed six years to complete this) had graduated in 2018.
In contrast, just under 50% of individuals who enrol for a doctoral programme do not finish. They may make it some of the way – such as finishing the proposal and then completing a year or two – but then they drop out.
The unfortunate result of this massive attrition rate is that worthwhile research projects are not taken forward. This means that the profession in which the research is being undertaken (as well as future entrants into the profession) will be poorer for it.
So, if you’ve decided to pursue post-graduate education and have finally arrived at your doctoral studies, you need to find ways of keeping yourself on track with your research and writing so that you ultimately achieve your degree. In this article, we have a look at some simple ways of keeping yourself on track.
Be Disciplined
We spoke to several doctoral students while researching this article, and the first piece of advice that they gave us is to remain disciplined. As most doctoral studies are undertaken by students on a part-time basis where there are often other commitments such as work and family life to contend with, which can often take precedence.
Carve out a specific time each day which you will dedicate to your studies. Don’t make it late at night when you’re tired as chances are very good that you’ll go to be rather than focusing time on your studies.
Keep In Contact With Your Peers
Doctoral studies can be quite lonely as you’re not going to class and interacting with other students and lecturers on an ongoing basis. Owing to this lack of interaction with others who are likeminded in terms of what they want to achieve academically, you could find yourself doubting your abilities and whether or not your research is indeed worthwhile.
So, please make a point to check in regularly with your supervisor and chat to them about what you’re doing and that path that you’re on. Keep in touch with other academics in the same field so that you can bounce ideas off of them. This will keep you motivated and inspired.
Set Yourself Goals
The worst thing that you can do is not to keep yourself accountable in terms of your studies. You need to set yourself time-related goals so you can have fun and casino slots online Brasil when you’ll finish a set amount of work. If you don’t do this, you’ll find that you will waste a lot of time and not accomplish anything of real value.
Doctoral studies are not for the faint-hearted! There will be many times that you’ll feel like you want to give up as this will be so much easier than actually pushing through. Don’t do this – the reward will be worth it in the end.