Anticipated Challenges and Strategies for Successful Doctoral Completion
Completing a doctoral degree involves overcoming various personal and academic challenges, which can significantly affect progress. As Marshall et al. (2017) note, doctoral students often struggle with issues such as impostor syndrome, writing anxiety, and balancing personal responsibilities with academic demands. I anticipate facing some of these challenges myself and plan to implement specific strategies to overcome them and successfully complete my doctoral program.
One major challenge I expect to face is impostor syndrome. Many doctoral students experience feelings of self-doubt, especially when faced with difficult tasks such as writing a dissertation. Marshall et al. (2017) describe how this syndrome leads students to attribute their success to luck rather than their abilities, often causing anxiety and procrastination. As a first-generation doctoral student, I expect to experience similar feelings of inadequacy. To address this, I will engage in open communication with my dissertation advisor and peers. Marshall et al. (2017) emphasize that “regular, student-initiated contact with the chairperson is critical to student completion” (p. 81). Seeking guidance and support from mentors will help me gain confidence and overcome feelings of being an impostor. By acknowledging these feelings and discussing them with trusted individuals, I can shift my mindset and maintain motivation.
In addition to impostor syndrome, writing anxiety is another challenge I foresee. Marshall et al. (2017) highlight that many doctoral students struggle with the writing process, especially when it comes to receiving feedback and making revisions. The pressure to produce high-quality work can be overwhelming, leading to stress and avoidance. The dissertation demands multiple drafts of writing as well as a critical evaluation, which I may struggle with initially. I will handle the task by breaking down writing into smaller portions. Marshall et al. (2017) suggest that “providing for supportive groups or peer review opportunities and providing prompt and meaningful feedback may foster writing efficacy in students” (p. 80). I will become an active member of multiple writing groups at once and seek advice from my academic advisor regularly. Splitting the writing project into smaller segments combined with focusing on progression will not only reduce writing anxiety but also build writing self-assurance.
Academic work stands as a major challenge when students aim to achieve equilibrium in their educational pursuits and private life. According to Marshall et al. (2017), both individual circumstances and environmental events, such as family demands or monetary pressure, inhibit academic development. I will manage the requirements of my doctorate degree while continuing to fulfill my career and family obligations. I will develop a systematic timetabled plan that dedicates portions of the day to academic work, study and spending personal time. Marshall et al. (2017) recommend setting clear goals and deadlines to maintain productivity: “Setting timelines and adhering to deadlines is a proven strategy for staying focused and productive” (p. 79). I will break down my dissertation work into different sections, which I will start and finish within predefined timeframes. I will arrange my schedule properly to merge all activities while avoiding stress accumulation through proper time distribution.
Lastly, self-awareness will be an important skill to uphold within the firms due to these challenges. Marshall et al. (2017) also recommend self-awareness when it comes to strengths, weaknesses, and motivation for the purpose of passing the course. These strategies shall be reassessed frequently in my reflective journal so that necessary changes can be made. Whether seeking additional support from mentors or adjusting my writing goals, being flexible and reflective will help me overcome obstacles and stay on track.
In conclusion, it can be recommended that despite the challenges that these doctoral students experience, it is possible to approach these barriers in a proactive manner to overcome them. Firstly, the impostor syndrome, writing anxiety, multiple responsibilities, and responsibility for self-development make me confident to complete my doctoral degree. Thus, as rightly pointed out by Marshall et al. (2017), doctorate students who use regular communication with their supervisors and follow a systematic approach have a high chance of submitting their dissertations at the right time.
References
Marshall, S. M., Klocko, B., & Davidson, J. (2017). Dissertation completion: Higher education’s invisible problem. Journal of Educational Research and Practice, 7(1). https://doi.org/10.5590/jerap.2017.07.1.06
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Question 
Anticipated Challenges and Strategies for Successful Doctoral Completion
Be sure to review the Reading Excerpt before completing this activity.
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Anticipated Challenges and Strategies for Successful Doctoral Completion
Marshall et al. (2017) Reading Excerpt
The reading above is excerpted from the following article which follows the publishing guidelines of the 6th edition of the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association:
Marshall, S. M., Klocko, B., & Davidson, J. (2017). Dissertation completion: No longer higher education’s invisible problem. Journal of Educational Research and Practice, 7(1), 74-90. https://doi.org/10.5590/JERAP.2017.07.1.06
To prepare:
Review the Marshall et. al. (2017) Reading Excerpt linked above.
Prompt: What challenges to completion do you anticipate you will encounter in your doctoral program? What strategies for successful completion do you anticipate will be the most useful for you, and how will you work toward implementing these strategies to meet your goals?
The Assignment:
Write a 1-2-page, double-spaced essay in response to the prompt above. To present your strongest writing skills, submit an essay that:
Provides a focused and clear central idea that responds to all questions in the assignment prompt with developed ideas;
Integrates relevant and accurate paraphrased and/or quoted and cited evidence from the Marshall et al. (2017) reading excerpt in support of the argument, accompanied by appropriate analysis – you may use your preferred citation style;
Organizes ideas with logical structure, clear paragraphs, and transitional words/phrases;
Uses grammar and mechanics to effectively communicate meaning to readers;
Maintains academic integrity by demonstrating your original work and appropriately paraphrasing and citing relevant information from the Marshall et al. (2017) reading excerpt. Including outside sources beyond the Marshall et al. (2017) reading excerpt provided above is not required for this essay; if you use them, however, then you must cite any information you summarize, paraphrase, or quote in your preferred citation style.