Tips for finishing the PhD In Faster manner

• IMMERSE YOURSELF IN WRITING – AND LEARN HOW TO WRITE A FUNDING PROPOSAL: 

Some might say this is more important after you finish a PhD. Don't fall into that trap. Learning how to write a funding proposal is nothing like writing your dissertation or a typical journal article. However, all types of funding proposals (federal, state, foundations, private/corporate, military) may offer you an opportunity to actually fund your research while working on your PhD. And it may very well be your best and most attractive resume item to landing a great job. 

• FIND A STRONG MENTOR:

The PHD scholars can't stress how important this is. Possibly, but find someone that can give you critical feedback on projects and encouragement. It was fortunate to have several colleagues in their college that had taken the PhD journey. It surrounded them with several of these "PhD veterans," and they were able to help me avoid hurdles that could have slowed me down. They also were able to provide the most important thing a grad student might need – understanding and constant feedback. Think about finding someone that knows how to motivate you to finish jobs. It might be a colleague or a former professor. However, it should not be a friend that tells you all things will be just fine.

• GROW A THICK SKIN AND TAKE CRITICAL FEEDBACK FOR WHAT IT IS – CONSTRUCTIVE CRITICISM:

It's OK to sulk a bit (we all do when we find out we are not a Nobel Prize winner in our first year of grad school), but get over it ASAP and learn from these comments. Most professors and advisors have much to share when it comes to the ins and outs of research design, writing for publication or finding grants. An old saying I always tell students and colleagues – "One often remember the toughest teacher the most" – is true for a reason.

• FIND THE RIGHT DISSERTATION CHAIR FOR YOU:

The mentors always tell new PhD students that the chair of the program may not be the right choice – or a brand new tenure track professor or the 30+ year professor in the department. One way to find a dissertation chair is to do some research via the internet, or you could talk to current graduate students about particular professors. The department might also be able to assist you on finding out the statistics on each professor. 

• FIND A STRONG QUANTITATIVE (OR QUALITATIVE) RESEARCH COLLEAGUE THAT WILL ASSIST YOU WITH A STRONG DESIGN:

This is a critical decision, and doing it early and correctly will make your dissertation matter so as not to end up on the shelf. It has been many researcher experience that most poorly written or non-meaningful dissertations were a result of the wrong research design. If your university has a "go-to person" for a quantitative design, seek that person out. But, don't choose that person to be on your committee or to assist you if they are primarily a qualitative researcher.