How I Survived Comps!

Disclaimer: I'm currently awaiting the results of my comprehensive exam so why not write about how I survived! These are methods that worked for me as I was completing my comprehensive exam. Not everything works for everyone, but you are more than welcome to put what may have worked for you in the comments section. Also, I'm working on being more transparent through my academic and professional paths to get into my dream job...and eventually, have my own consulting business. So let's get to it!

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First thing's first...

GET AN ACCOUNTABILITY PARTNER!

So I have 2 accountability partners, one who is in my program and at the same point of the program as me, and the second one is a doctorate candidate who checks in on what we've accomplished for the day and week. With both, we discuss our wins, losses, challenges/frustrations, and exciting moments during our PhD journeys. I would say having accountability partners within your support group of friends, family, colleagues, and peers, is a great thing because they keep you on track for whatever the main goal may be.

What I love about having an accountability partner, especially with the two I have, is when you feel like you haven't accomplished much or just need a day off, they don't criticize you or make you feel bad about not getting as much as you hoped done. My accountability partners are so dope, because we maybe focused on getting through this PhD journey, but we always look for opportunities that we feel the other may benefit from, such as attending The Black PhD Network's Annual Conference this year.

What I love about having an accountability partner, especially with the two I have, is when you feel like you haven't accomplished much or just need a day off, they don't criticize you or make you feel bad about not getting as much as you hoped done. My accountability partners are so dope, because we may be focused on getting through this PhD journey, but we always look for opportunities that we feel the other may benefit from, such as attending The Black PhD Network's Annual Conference this year.

TIME MANAGEMENT IS EVERYTHING!!!

As I've been continuing on with my doctorate journey, my time management skills have been improving, as well as prioritizing tasks to complete. I also like to make to-do lists and give myself realistic deadlines to complete different tasks so I'm not waiting until the last minute to complete something...especially a comprehensive exam.

I color-coordinate tasks and events, and make daily and weekly to-do lists to stay on track for a lot of things in my life. When I was completing my coursework, I would have different colored Post-It notes with a breakdown of weekly readings, discussions, and assignments due. Works wonders!

ORGANIZE!

After I received my comprehensive exam questions, I broke the questions down into subquestions to make sure I answered every part. The good thing about the exam as it was in line with my approved research plan, so this help organizes key points I wanted to make in my response and literature used to support my responses.

I used OneNote for organizing the structure of my responses for each question. Each question has its own subpage, with the question included, and the subquestions with peer-reviewed points made, and a reference list for each question. Based on how I used OneNote to breakdown the structure of responses, it made writing a lot smoother for me.

SAYING "NO" IS 100% OKAY

It's okay to say no to things you don't want to do if you feel that it will jeopardize your productivity and/or mental health. I'm often criticized on how people get mad or annoyed that I'm busy working on this degree and choose not to go out to bars. Don't feel guilty or bad when people make comments like that, because at the end of the day, you are the one spending money, putting in work, sacrificing much more than they realize to accomplish this goal for yourself. Listen, if they're not willing to help proofread a chapter, provide feedback, be a part of your support system as you go through this challenging stage, do not, and I repeat, do not feel bad for declining invites.

Most importantly, if you physically and/or mentally can't do a social outing or whatever it may be, you owe it to yourself to take a rest day aka a mental health day. You don't owe anyone an explanation on your decision, but academic burnout is real. So again, it's okay to say no.

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So there are my four ways of surviving comps! Let me know what you guys think or if there are other methods/techniques you use to stay on track!

-TheStudentForLife