“Just Do It” : Some Practical Tips for Timely Submission of a Better Thesis.

1. “Just Do It”: Some Practical Tips for Timely Submission of a Better Thesis. Dr Stephen Harrington (s.harrington@qut.edu.au)

2. Intro: • We tend to focus on: • The intellectual ‘terrain’ (i.e. the ‘discipline’) • Originality • Methodology • Mechanics • Emphasis on the intellectual journey, rather than the practicalities of ‘doing’ a research higher degree.

3. Who are these tips for? • Mainly for those doing a ‘classic’ PhD thesis. • But, will also be useful for any research higher degree student. • To help address the common pitfalls of the experience, and speak about the underlying cause of many incompletions.

4. So, what are they?

5. The 8 tips: • Choose a topic you’re interested in. • Find a good supervisory team. • Know the ‘shape’ of your thesis early, let the fine detail come later. • Treat your research like a ‘normal’ job. • Teach, where possible. • Communicate and disseminate. • Believe in yourself. • Just do it!

6. 1. Choose a topic you’re interested in. • Most simple of the 8 tips. • If you’re going to spend 3-4 years of your life doing something, try your best to ensure it is something that you want to do. • Is a very common cause for waning motivation.

7. 2. Find a good supervisory team. • Assemble a team you can work with, and who wants to work with you. Personality is more important than you think! • Aim for a set of clear, shared expectations. • Should be ‘balanced’. • Experienced, knowledgeable. • Listen to them!

8. 3. Know the ‘shape’ of your thesis early, let the fine detail come later. • Try to know from the start what your thesis is about, and what it isn’tabout. You’ll save lots of time! • But don’t expect to know what will be in the final version until the day you submit it. • That’s the whole point. It’s a journey. • This helps you to organise non-linear thoughts. • Be flexible, but not liquid. Be open to evolution, but avoid revolution.

9. 4. Treat your research like a ‘normal’ job. • Work regularly! • Be organised. • Work to deadlines. • Don’t get distracted. • Try not to work from home, if you can avoid it. • Know when to take a break. • Have a social life.

10. 5. Teach, where possible. • Can help to deepen knowledge of your own discipline, or others. • Broadens your horizons, exposes you to new ideas and perspectives. • Keeps you grounded. • Especially important for those seeking academic work upon completion.

11. 6. Communicate and disseminate • Communicate with other academics/leaders in your field. Often leads to bigger and better things. • Makes you visible to the intellectual community in which you’re operating. • Gives you deadlines and feedback for/on work in progress • Keeps you in the writing habit.

12. 7. Believe in yourself • “It’s just a PhD”. Good advice… • A thesis is not your life’s work, masterpiece, or magnum opus. • A first draft is a first draft. Don’t expect otherwise. • You are not a ‘fraud’. You ARE smart enough. • “Note the uselessness of [X]% of academics” – David Gauntlett • If you are, why stop now!?

13. 8. Just do it! • “Don’t get it right, get it written”. Great advice… • Stop reading at some point. • Don’t get distracted. (Tip no. 4) • You can’t get a degree because of great ideas • This is less a test of your intelligence than it is a test of your level of motivation, willingness to learn, and ability to put in the hard work.

14. 8. Just do it! • “Stick to it, and it will all fall into place” – David Gauntlett • Stop talking about it, and just do it!!