Next steps

I am about to start my fourth, and last, Research course of my sequence. My two main goals during this course are to complete a dissertation concept paper and formulate my dissertation committee. The committee consists of a Chair and two members. The process for organizing the team is cumbersome and time consuming, and I've decided to get a head start on what I've heard to be a frustrating event. After emailing my advisor about potential candidates, he replied with the news I'd hoped to hear: that the mentor I really want as my Chair is available! Now I wait for her reply to my passionate query. Fingers crossed, I continue to think about my dissertation proposal in preparation for my August 1st course start date.

While I continue to close in on the dissertation process, it still feels so far away. Some learners are moving along at break-neck paces while others seem to be savoring every moment. I fall somewhere in the middle, enjoying what I can while using every moment I have to finish in a reasonable timeframe. My hope is that, around late December, to be ABD (all but dissertation). What a Christmas present that would be!