No one really tells you what it’s like to write a dissertation, finish a dissertation, and then revise a dissertation. As I finished revising Chapter 5 of my dissertation I wondered how did I do it? To write a dissertation takes perseverance. You really must focus on the task and just do it. No one but yourself can write the paper. People will make every excuse why they don’t write! Believe me I had my down days and my up days, but there was one thing I did everyday–work on the dissertation–even if it was to delete an extra period from the dissertation, I looked at it and I tried to move forward.
Also, no one tells you how much time it will take out of your life–you have no life OTHER than dissertating because if you don’t dissertate you feel GUILTY for not dissertating! With that said once you finish you feel all these emotions you didn’t expect. I felt happy, relieved, lazy, and sort of depressed???? What??? Depressed??? Yes, the goal was finished! Now what? Ummm… revisions are next!
After my successful defense I was handed over my revisions. They are not too bad. I’m working in suggestions from my committee members. I’m looking at my paper with a new fresh set of eyes since I took Christmas break off from it. Since I had to pay for another semester, I figured I should take a break and revisit the paper at the start of the Spring semester. Now I have only two more chapters to revise and again, all these emotions come flooding back. What do I do after my revisions are done? Oh, I get to be a REAL doctor–that’s what! But, it’s bittersweet in many ways. I’ll miss being a grad student because I met some fascinating people along my journey. I think the fact my mom won’t see me finish grad school makes it harder in many ways to accept I’m done.
I am already thinking of new goals. My first goal is to turn my dissertation project into a book. I know what you’re thinking, who in the world wants to read a dissertation? Not many people, I understand this point. I have hopes of turning certain parts of my dissertation into a book. I don’t think figures of speech would make for a New York Times best seller. I would like to write about the history of technology in campaigns and how social media has changed the face of presidential campaigns. Many politicians discounted the Internet to play a critical role in a campaign. Yes, politicians create the obligatory Web site, but Obama created an information social media powerhouse.
Whoever is behind Obama’s social media dynasty, changed the face of campaigns. Now WE can respond and connect with the candidates like never before. Let’s just say, it’s pretty cool to be able to comment and respond to the campaign who wants to know our opinions. It’s now a thing of the past to sit passively by watching television listening to soundbite after soundbite. Now candidates can put all those misconstrued soundbites into perspective. The soundbite could almost become it’s own figure of speech.
I have so many new media projects I want to work on as well as return to my journalism research roots. I think I’ll have plenty of papers to write after the dissertation! So, I really do have plenty to do after my dissertation is polished! I feel better already!
