April is more than half over and the semester is coming to an end. Know what that means? It means summer is almost here!
As you're making plans and dreaming of days in the sun, you should also talk to your dissertation committee, especially your primary adviser.
Don't wait for them to contact you. Send them a polite email, checking in and asking them for an appointment or letting them know you would like to arrange a telephone conference. This is a busy time for faculty -- you want to make sure you're not forgotten.
When you see or speak to them, make sure you have a plan of action -- what you're going to accomplish over the summer-- to show them. Ask them for their own thoughts on your progress, what you should be doing and where they'd like you to be by the beginning of the Fall semester. Get their approval and buy in. If they're going to be around over the summer, arrange to meet. Otherwise ask if you can send them progress reports every week.
After your meeting or call, send them an email following up and documenting what you've agreed to. It may seem like you'd both remember, but there's a lot of time between now and Fall. This way you'll both have a record of your plans.
And then you'll be ready for summer!
(Don't forget -- we'll be open here at the DSC all summer long. )
