Ask Doctoral Advising

Running a marathon is all about preparedness. Practicing by running the miles, but also

• trying different foods that won’t upset your system and gives you the energy that is needed over time,
• wearing different shorts and shirts to find the ones that that don’t shift uncomfortably over time and when sweaty,
• reviewing the course map and the elevation map so you have an idea what the course looks like and running parts of it if you can.
• training for the pace, and the walking breaks.

You train, trying to practice all that could happen during an event. You ask others about their events, to learn from them.

Of whom do you ask questions about preparing for the doctoral journey?

And you don’t know what is going to happen the day of the event.

Once you get into the comprehensive exam stage and the dissertation stages, you draw on the experiences of the coursework. You may need to seek out related activities, so that you can be best prepared:

• Practice asking questions of faculty and learning colleagues.
• Practice listening.
• Practice accepting critical comments, and not see that as negative or personal
• Practice critical thinking skills, working your way up Blooms taxonomy.
• Find journal articles in the library.
• Write the citations
• Ponder the focus of the dissertation, read.
• Don’t narrow your topic of interest too soon.
• Practice writing and seek input on improving writing skills.
• What other skills might you practice?

Self assess your skills and knowledge. Practice those skills.
Ask questions to find out if what is missing in your practice, then practice those skills.