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Wednesday, June 8, 2011

School Is Definitely Not Out For The Summer

Hello friends,

This is just a quick post to let you all know that I haven’t given up on blogging.  I love it.  I miss it.   Most importantly, I miss you.  It’s been three weeks since I last posted. 

Why haven’t I posted, you ask?

Here’s why. 

I’m simultaneously taking the two highest level research methods courses (a.k.a. statistics) offered in my program this summer while working full-time.  These courses have already caused tears to shed and have created hours spent reading, researching, writing, calculating, interpreting, and analyzing.  Frankly, I’m exhausted and it’s only June.  My classes started May 10.  Unfortunately, they last until the first or second week in August.

It’s going to be a long summer.    Please add me to your prayer list this summer.  I’ve come to the realization that I can’t do this on my own and without God’s help.  It seems as though I’ve tried that lately. 

I haven’t posted an update about my school progress in a long time.  This semester is the beginning of my third year in my Ph.D. program.  I plan to finish all of my courses, write my first three dissertation chapters, have my proposal meeting, take comps, and get admitted to candidacy this school year.

Once I am admitted to candidacy (which happens after passing comps) I will get IRB approval and will then be allowed to begin collecting data for my research.  It’s going to be an important and stressful year. 

I hope to spend the following year collecting data, interpreting data, and writing my results (i.e. finishing my dissertation).

If all goes according to plan I should be able to finish this nightmare degree in two years (this year and next).  Hopefully, I can have my dissertation public defense either spring of 2013 or summer of 2013.

Please don’t lose faith in my blogging capabilities.  I hope to post at least a few times over the summer.  Blogging is my stress reliever.  It is my time to think about fun things and pretty things and things that DON’T involve focus and concentration.

I sure wish this is what my professors mean when they tell us to study.

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