Anyone who has ever worked on a Ph.D. knows that it is really hard. The closest thing to it I think I’ve experienced in my life was the Shellback initiation I went through when crossing the Equator for the first time. (If you have a strong stomach, then do a Google search for wog day and you’ll know what I’m talking about.) But the thing about crossing the Equator is it only lasts for a day, doctoral dissertations can take years, especially if you can only work on them part-time.

The work is exhausting and few folks around me really understand what it entails. Just as when I talk with fellow sailors who have endured “crossing the line,” only those who are working on or have completed doctorates can fully appreciate where I am right now. There was a recent article on the Chronicle website about running your own race at your own pace that resonated with me, especially the bit about giving up imposter syndrome. The family can always come up with something more appealing to do than doing dissertation work. There is always something at school that demands priority attention. In fact, I’ve been derailed by more than a year simply because I redirected my attention to developing a new digital media degree for undergrad students instead of focusing on my own priority of finishing this thing.

That is why every little bit of encouragement means so much to me. This little note is the most recent, delightful example.  

For those who don’t know her, Renee Hobbs is one of the world’s foremost authorities on media literacy education. Her work is foundational to my research project, and getting a message like this just made my day.

Now that I have a much needed boost, I guess it is time for me to get back to work. It won’t be long now until I find out where I stand. Wish me luck!