mboettcOct 6, 20251 min readAheadA road somewhere in Virginia. Earning a doctoral degree is hard. It just is. It should be. Not a lot of people do this thing you are...
mboettcSep 8, 20251 min readKeep GoingWe can find inspiration in the stories of others. Here is one for you: Dr. Courtney Cain
mboettcAug 11, 20251 min readDoing the work."Sometimes you get lucky and your work stalks you like a tiger, and all you have to do is stand there and let it leap on you. Most of the...
mboettcApr 28, 20251 min readFinishingWe all get run down at times. We need to rest, refuel, and then resume. Once you get to the point that you have finished classwork, it is...
mboettcMar 31, 20251 min readEnthusiasmMy nephew Zak a few years ago during a photo shoot I did with him in Portland, Maine. Remember when you were excited to apply for the...
mboettcMar 4, 20252 min readWriting.As you get ready for your proposal or dissertation, you will get to explore, struggle through, and successfully complete new writing...
mboettcApr 21, 20241 min readYOU ARE AN IMPOSTOR! (Or imposter. I don't know how to spell that. I don't know what I'm doing...)Click the button above. It will take you to a wonderful little video. Trust me. You'll appreciate it. I think. (pause) Yes, you will. At...
mboettcFeb 12, 20241 min readLove (post #50)I thought I'd focus on love this week with "that February holiday" approaching. I love my students. For me, that means that I care very...
mboettcJan 29, 20241 min readEmbrace the UnexpectedWhether you are taking a course, preparing for comps or your proposal, or working on your dissertation, things will come up that you did...
mboettcJan 8, 20241 min readPlanning for the Finish For those of you who will be defending your dissertation this spring or over the summer, a few words of advice: Keep going. Swear a...
mboettcNov 13, 20231 min readSelf-KindnessBe good to yourselves. If you have a negative inner voice, confront it, care for it, help it heal, whatever you need to do. So much of...
mboettcAug 9, 20232 min readYET.If you read the title as "Yeti" and are excited to hear my thoughts about and experiences with the abominable snowman, you are about to...
mboettcAug 17, 20201 min readThe Dissertation Defense Day. Hi. So if you're nervous about your dissertation defense, here are some things to consider: 1. If you've chosen your committee well, they...
mboettcMay 18, 20201 min readCourage.Cou is French for "neck" Rage is English for "rage" Therefore, "courage" means rage that you didn't stick you neck out and try to learn...
mboettcApr 20, 20201 min readMusicIf you don't have a graduate school playlist that you update periodically, I strongly recommend you develop one. Suggestions: *...
mboettcMar 16, 20201 min readIFIf you think that you can't do this doctoral thing, it's okay. If you need to ask for clarification about things in class, in writing, or...
mboettcFeb 19, 20202 min readThe Doctoral Experience and LonelinessLonely. Isolated. Alone. Solitude. Once upon a time, I did my dissertation study about a teaching and learning conference. I interviewed...
mboettcFeb 11, 20201 min readImposter"This will be the class where they will pull me aside and say, 'We know you're trying really hard, but a doctoral program just isn't for...
mboettcJan 21, 20202 min readSharpen Your AxeToday I have advice for you that I think is so important AND that I often fail to take myself. Maybe we can remind each other to do this...