Tag Archives: University

Shut Up and Write

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My university along with many others has adopted the concept of “Shut up and Write” where there are designated times that students commit to just writing. It’s a great way to simply get on with it. 

This is something I’ve needed to do in recent weeks. It’s all been a little disjointed lately with too many other things getting in the way of my thesis. In particular my time has been spent dealing with one last work assignment that has involved a considerable amount of time and travel, starting to plan our trip, and marking. However, over the last week I’ve made real progress on my thesis.  Even while traveling it’s been possible to get stuff done. That along with time at Uni, discussions with my supervisor and time at my desk , my thesis is really progressing.

I’ve largely completed my interviews of participants and had most of the interviews transcribed. I have a couple more interviews over the next week or so and then that task will be completed. It’s been a really interesting process made so much better by the locations, topic and the occasional opportunity to sample the product. This was a good topic to pick!

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I’ve revisited my Literature Review. I wrote it last year as part of my course work and as a result it has needed to be refined to take account of my topic. I revisited my definitions again yesterday after a mild panic about whether they were still appropriate having regard to my data. The good news is that they seem OK and it should not need a major rewrite to integrate the subject matter of family wine businesses into it.

I’ve also delved into the history of wine. Its roots in The Middle East, the importance of religion and trade to its progress, and in an Australian context its rocky beginnings as early as “The First Fleet”. The decision to focus on family wine businesses has been fascinating.  Such a rich history in far away places as well as in my backyard, with the region I am focussing upon a region located literally 20 minutes from my home. South Australia has a rich wine heritage, however my focus is on a newer region which will hopefully make my research contemporary and relevant. 

With the majority of the interviews completed its been possible to start the data analysis process. This has involved checking and and rereading transcripts, identifying “rich description” and an early focus on potential themes. It’s both daunting and exciting. My research is really starting to take shape.

As well as being enthusiastic about the topic some early and serious discussion about starting my PhD has provided focus and purpose. My Honours Research is like an apprenticeship or a very long job interview. The good news is that my enthusiasm doesn’t seem to be waning. It’s all reinforced the need for me to do well in my Honours so the best opportunities are fully available to me next year.

Research can be a dark place

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In the last few days I’ve seen the pressure that self-directed study and research can put people under. One was someone just a few weeks from submitting their thesis,  the other had just embarked on their PhD. Both just seemed completely overwhelmed by it all. They were in a very dark place.

It made me think what sort of consolation and comfort could I offer? It’s easy to say, just get on with it and write. I said that to one of these people a couple of months ago. It might have been the right answer, however when you are down at the bottom feeling depressed such comments were perceived as a kick in the guts. So what else could I do or say?

On reflection, I think it’s just about being supportive and providing encouragement. It’s not possible to know if they have done enough work, answered their research question or even asked the right question, even if you think you do know. It’s  important to stress that there is no value looking back as this just wastes valuable time and energy, rather encourage them to look forward. Maybe cooking them a meal or even doing their ironing could be a genuine help. Above all else,  just check-in and see if they are OK.

Research can be such a luxurious place if you have the time but when you don’t it or you for some reason lose your perspective it’s just plain horrible!

Footnote: I wrote this post a few weeks ago as a reflection.  It seemed also appropriate for today’s https://dailypost.wordpress.com/dp_prompt/fifteen-credits/ 

So that’s Chapter 3 not done

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The last week or so has seen  a concerted effort to get Chapter 3 of my thesis my Research Methodology completed for discussion with my supervisor. I’d reworked and reworked the draft over the last few weeks. I was happy with the general outline and key sections so I emailed it to my Supervisor on the weeekend ready for a meeting on Tuesday.

I’d looked at a number of suggested approaches to writing the Research Methodology chapter and felt I was on track. My reading suggested I needed to tell a story which I thought I’d done. I knew it was too long at about four thousand five hundred words but felt I could bring the words down with some editing.

So off to my meeting I went feeling reasonably comfortable with where I was at. After some general discussion my supervisor got my draft out. A line through most of the first page wasn’t a good start! Bluntly, my supervisor didn’t feel I’d taken the correct approach and it would need to be completely rewritten. 

I’ve said before that I like the critical evaluation process that my study is producing however this time I was feeling decidedly uncomfortable and even a little upset. I gritted my teeth and took the advice on the chin only making some general comments as I listened, all the while, knowing my next couple of weeks would be a refocus on Research Methodology rather than turning my attention to my Literature Review chapter and Data Collection. My supervisor tried to put a positive spin on what I’d written saying it had shown I understood the concepts but that it wasn’t what would be required in my thesis. It wasn’t what the examiners would be expecting to see.

I thanked him for his feedback which I know was well meaning and constructive however for the first time in the last year I felt genuinely down hearted. It was the true realization that I have a very long way to go on this journey.

 My university is about a 25 minute walk from home so plenty of time to reflect. My spirits hadn’t lifted by the time I got home. I’d planned to keep working on it when I got home but couldn’t be bothered. A night infront of the TV was all I felt like before I faced upto the rewrite.

100 Up

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So this my 100th Post – It’s timing is perfect just as I start my next journey.

Michael Clarke’s Celebration after reaching 100 in Adelaide. Source: www.news.com. au

My blog has not met the WordPress suggested approach of a theme and stick to it. Rather it has been the thoughts of a fifty something as he contemplates what’s next. 

While it hasn’t been a “Dear Diary” it certainly has been a reflection on my thoughts. There has been plenty on music including my discovery of Country Music and the regular paying homage to The Boss. There have been posts on our trip to Europe and our plans for 3 months in Italy. There’s also been the opportunity to post on our local scene – the fabulous Adelaide Oval, Tour Down Under and Second Valley. I have also mentioned my move back to study on numerous occasions but the topic I expected would appear most being Sport has only been mentioned sparingly.

It has  enabled me to meet an objective of writing a thousand words a month and I think also improved my writing skills. 

It’s a time for celebration!

3 Weeks to go!

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I started this blog just over two and half years ago. It was one part of a process to prepare me for “What Next”. At that time my favourite person and I had just come back form a retreat that my firm puts on for partners who are over 50 and is designed to assist them with transition from the firm.

Armed with an action plan from the retreat and some thoughts about “What Next” from a book I’d read, I set about a plan to be ready for “What Next”.

“What Next” is now a little less than 3 weeks away!

Back then my plan was to have a reason to write a thousand words a month as I experimented with writing in different styles.  I had this romantic notion of a career as a writer. It was naive I now know, but it was a great place to experiment. Since then I have completed nearly 100 posts, written regular articles in The Adelaide Review on business and writen about 25,000 words as initially I undertook  a couple of undergrad subjects in a Media Degree and then started my  Honours.

I also had some initial thoughts about an academic career.  I could lecture. It all seemed straight forward.  I had no idea of the process, simply assuming I’d turn up and be welcomed with open arms. The welcome has been very warm indeed, as it seems my experience is highly regarded, but I don’t have the academic stripes. However, just over two years on from embarking on that pursuit I have a very sound idea of what’s required, I am half way through Honours, getting my head around my PhD application and have some casual lecturing filling in for others and two tutorial classes. I’m definitely on my way.

While my primary focus has been academia, I also don’t won’t to lose touch with my past life in profesional services. So far I’ve been privledged to have had approaches to work with some very exciting local firms. I’m looking forward to being involved.

Then there’s me time. More time for the bike. Already this year I’ve had more time to spend with my riding buddies, as I haven’t needed to race off after the ride to get to work quite so early. I’ve very much enjoyed the opportunity to just sit around and talk the usual post ride rubbish. But in 3 weeks I can get those extra rides in. My challenge will be to get back to over 200kms per week for the period to 30 June. Back into the hills, build my strength and get fit.

Then there more us time. I’m looking forward to more time at the beach and traveling with my favourite person. Our plans for 3 months in Italy are taking shape. Perhaps starting in the North as a winter begins and then having Christmas in Sicily before wending our way back toward Rome and then home.  We can be like the couple I chatted to on the ferry across to South Perth a couple of nights ago (when I was on one of my last business trips in my current role) who have embraced retirement with gusto, taking time to travel completely relaxed and unhurried.

So with 3 weeks to go there’s plenty ahead of me.

It really isn’t long until  “What’s Next”.

Street Art – Hindley St, Adelaide