NESSA’S NOTIONS: Light bulbs going off, left and right
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By VANESSA W. SNYDER
I’m learning a lot in pursuit of this doctorate, not the least of which centers around Social Emotional Learning. But the pursuit is a lesson in itself, leading to a series of revelations.
Epiphany No. 1: This blog is a form of therapy. I think the doctoral process calls for some form of therapy, and a blog is the perfect opportunity for someone like me who enjoys writing, reflecting, and emoting on paper (or more accurately, my computer screen). So thank you for taking this journey with me.
Epiphany No. 2: I don’t talk much about my doctoral process because secretly I’m afraid of never finishing. If that becomes the case, I’ll have to tell everyone that I’m ABD – All But Dissertation. Some people use the term. I’ll just let that sit there without further commentary.
Epiphany No. 3: Sometimes I’m scared to open emails from my dissertation committee chair. Unfortunately, it feels like she holds all the power. The process of submitting drafts and waiting for feedback isn’t much fun, especially if you expect the chair to say, “Start all over” (see Epiphany No. 1).
Epiphany No. 4: No one can truly help. I mean, people try. I guess the encouragement doesn’t hurt. But no one can actually help you write your dissertation. Your process is yours alone. The sooner you accept, that the better.
Epiphany No. 5: You have no idea when you will finish. When you start this journey, everyone tells you it takes time and it’s hard and it’s an iterative process. All that means is you don’t really know when it will end, and that’s a frightening thought.
Epiphany No. 6: Other people have finished, so why can’t I? If you ask anyone who has successfully completed this odyssey, chances are they experienced moments of doubt that they’d finish. But they did it.
My journey continues …
(A former journalist currently working on her doctorate in Social Emotional Learning, Vanessa is a dedicated and passionate educator in the DC Public Schools system. She loves learning, leadership, innovation, collaboration, and discovering new ways to drive student gains and support staff members)
