The thought of failure can be overwhelming to most people, primarily if you have worked hard for years in order to achieve a specific result, promotion, status, or goal.
In July 2019, I started the doctoral program to attain my Ph.D. in Criminal Justice to teach at a local college or university.
So, two and half years later (March 2022), I’m currently waiting on the opportunity to start on my dissertation.
The dissertation provides me with the opportunity to contribute to the academic community and take the final steps towards becoming a scholar-practitioner by completing my own research study as an independent researcher.
However, in order to start on the dissertation, I (as a Ph.D. student) had to pass the comprehensive examination.
According to Capella University (the school I currently attend for my Ph.D.), successfully completing the comprehensive examination is a monumental achievement; you have proven mastery in your field and are now considered a Ph.D. Candidate.
Bottom line, in order to become a Ph.D. Candidate, I had to pass the comprehensive examination.
Well, I passed the comprehensive examination and I’m moving on to the dissertation.
I never thought I would ever get this far in my education because of my struggles in K-12. I got held back in the third grade, serious struggles in middle school, and high school was nothing but challenges.
After high school, I wanted to join the military; however, I took the ASVAB several times in order to get into the military, and I had to retake the test while in the military to continue my service.
Nevertheless, I feel the military has prepared me for this Ph.D. program; essentially, learning how to learn, asking questions in order to gain knowledge, maintaining structure in everything that I do.
- Having the ability to pursue and persist in the learning process means organizing my thoughts and effectively managing time and information.
- Asking questions works because it makes you an active learner instead of a passive recipient of information.
Asking questions is a great way to get an understanding of the information. New perspectives.
- Structure helps you stay focused and get things done, yet you can remain flexible. The structure is necessary for creating a sense of stability in your life.
As I continue in the Ph.D. program, I noticed that if I put God first and stay on track with my goals and dreams, I will achieve positive results.
I’m still waiting for that door to open so that I can become a college or university professor.
Yet, as I wait, I will thank God while I am standing in the hallway waiting for that door to open.
When I put my mind to something I tend to get want I have worked for.
Yet again, the more time and energy you put into something, the more rewarded you are for your work.
Hard Work!
I believe in working hard; yet, the process of learning how to learn, asking questions in order to gain knowledge, maintaining structure has gotten me to this point in my life.
Working hard is the easy part; however, what process are you using in order to achieve your goals.
Seek out those who have gone before you and achieved positive results. Follow their example. This is how I plan to finish my dissertation and attain a Ph.D.
In the end, it’s not about the degree; it’s about (and it has always been about) the person I will become by working towards the Ph.D.
Set high goals for yourself and see the person you will become.
Stay focused.