The Training: Gradually, Developmentally
When you look at a training plan for a marathon, you gradually build the number of miles you run during any give week. Wisdom and convention says to increase no more than 10% distance a week. Over that, and the chance of injury increases, dramatically. Again, no one just walks out the door and runs 26.2 miles, with no practice–trying out different paces (how fast you run in a mile), finding out if clothes chafe, what fuel works–and when to eat.
Part of the practice/training includes talking with a coach and others who have achieved a marathon, to help in the learning process, to debrief about a run, and to share the journey.
The training plan includes a long run, generally adding about a mile every weekend. And there are ‘rest’ weeks, weeks that you reduce the number of miles so your body can heal and strengthen. You still run, just not as many miles.
A doctoral journey is a developmental journey. You are not expected to be able to run 26.2 miles when you begin the marathon training, or write a dissertation when you begin coursework. Through courses, writing papers, researching for those papers, communicating with faculty and learning colleagues, utilizing resources, you develop the skills that will prepare you for the comprehensive exams and dissertation—the independent research stage of the doctoral journey. Your doctoral advisor is one of those resources who are available to guide you through the process.
Question:
What skills, knowledge, attitudes and competencies do you want to develop throughout the program?
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August 11th, 2008 at 10:41 am
Hi Lynn,
I appreciated your response about the doctoral journey as a developmental process. Comparing the doctoral journey to preparing for a marathon is great.
Actually, I think mentors also could be helpful resources in this doctoral developmental journey. Sometimes mentors – speaking for myself – get so focused on “the nuts and bolts” of the process – hmm even meeting milestons that I need to remind myself of my role in supporting my mentees as they become doctoral.
Your closing question is a great one – key to the developmental journey.
All the best… and ever onward!
Liz
August 11th, 2008 at 12:16 pm
Yes, Mentors are a critical resources, along with so many other people in the doctoral learner’s life. I appreciate your recognition of the/your mentor role. And I appreciate the continued discussion on these topics.
Questions are good: self questions are best. I’ve learned so much more when I’ve directed the questions to myself.
Lynn
September 2nd, 2008 at 1:19 pm
Pursuing a doctoral degree is comparable to training for a marathon. Many steps, many challenges, and considerable stretching. A seemingly neverending and ongoing setting of goals and reaching them only to set new goals and to reach those.
Knowing your limits in light of work and family and assessing the time available to allocate to the demands of the doctoral program are critical strategies to successful completion. It is tempting to overextend, but I sure wouldn’t do that.
Part of running a marathon is the journey.
Advisors & mentors are like coaches—critical players to a doctoral student’s success.
Lori (Ph.D. 2008)