These are general guidelines that doctoral students can use to deal with dissertation anxiety and the resultant sense of being immobilised at the end of doctoral coursework. 1. Decide once and for all whether you want the doctor’s degree. If you don’t, withdraw gracefully, consoling yourself with the fact that most great leaders and artists never had a doctorate. If you do want the degree, then make the necessary plans and do it. 2. Find one professor who is willing to work with you as a dissertation chair. At a certain point, some students can be helped by talking with several professors, questioning them about research problems and methodologies. But if you are stuck at the preproposal stage, you are probably better off asking one professor whom you hope will be your chair. Be candid about your problem: “I’m having trouble getting to the proposal stage. I’d like to work with you, but I’ll need your help in getting myself organised.” Listen to that one professor; talking to several professors about possible topics and methods will only confuse and delay you. 3. With the assistance of your dissertation chair and a private research coach, choose a topic that you want to study and settle on the methodology. Stop thinking about the 10 topics that you might study; settle on one. Don’t become obsessed with finding the perfect topic; like the perfect spouse, it doesn’t exist. 4. Read a few completed dissertations on a topic of interest. It helps to see some completed works to gain a realistic perspective about the dissertation. You may also get some ideas that will stimulate your thinking. 5. Develop any skills that need sharpening. If you feel a bit weak with the research method, get the necessary tutoring or instruction. If you are unsure about your writing skills, ascertain what services the university provides to students needing assistance. 6. Develop a schedule and stick to it. By conferring with your dissertation chair and applying the guidance you receive from your private research coach, develop a realistic schedule and force yourself to meet the deadlines you have set. Your choices are clear: You can withdraw gracefully; you can continue to enrich the university’s coffers by paying your fees without making progress; or you can get your act together and even seek a research coach's guidance. It is as simple as that. Just stop making excuses to yourself. #Dissertation #dissertationproblems #research #dissertationstudent #graduatestudent #doctoralstudent #students #coursework #ABDs