course outline

1. welcome & orientation

   4 lessons

   1. welcome
   2. purpose and motivation
   3. the shape of drama (and how to recognize it)
   4. the power of compounding and focus

2. part 1: move from coursework to comps

   8 lessons

   1. the shift (from coursework to comps)
   2. your research question (before exams)
   3. your reading lists (stocking your research pantry)
   4. your annotated bibliography (turning your sources into resources)
   5. the power of mini write-ups (writing syntheses as a part of reading)
   6. notecards (the less you know)
   7. the big day (written exams)
   8. oral exams (the other big day)

3. part 2: write and submit

   15 lessons

   1. dissertation dissections
   2. your research question (again)
   3. think modular (not harder)
   4. your timeline and correspondence (being proactive)
   5. your dissertation proposal (getting organized)
   6. your provisional introduction (to be continued)
   7. what exactly is a chapter?
   8. processing feedback
   9. drafting vs. revising
   10. daily and monthly rhythms
   11. monthly rhythms
   12. going for a walk
   13. concluding
   14. revisiting your introduction (what you won't do = what you didn't do)
   15. submitting full drafts

4. part 3: defend and prosper

   8 lessons

   1. reality check (understanding the function of a defense)
   2. processing a reader's report (facing the outside world)
   3. preparing for yet another big day (the defense)
   4. surprise! you're a doctor of philosophy
   5. final submission
   6. publication inventory
   7. the job market(s)
   8. mentorship and the jellyfish