Jaime, your health is more important than anything! Take some time for yourself, regroup, spend time with loved ones. I don't know if you're a person of faith? If you are, ask the Lord to give you peace and wisdom. Speaking from experience, I prayed myself through the whole Ph.D. process. I will include you in my prayers tonight. Take Care or yourself!!!

Grace

I would be happy to complete your questionnaire.

Hello, Jaime
I agree with many of the statements listed; additionally, major congratulations on what you've accomplished thus far. I just graduated with a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership (June 2017) and I can attest to the fact that the relationship between the Ph.D. candidate and the dissertation committee can be extremely intense. Sometimes you feel like they are expecting you to jump through too many hoops, it can be frustrating and some people decide that they can't stand it and the quit the program. Please take this advise, follow their suggestions to the letter and try not to take any of it personally. I know this difficult. Also, keep in mind that your committee members have to sign off on your completed document. If your committee is anything like mine, that consideration looms high on their list. I wish you God's grace with your dissertation. Earning my Ph.D. was the happiest day of my life. My committee was tough. One of my committee members was a Ph.D. from Harvard University. Every draft I submitted, she sent me 4 pages of notes. Earning a Ph.D. is an enormous task!!!! Hang in there! You'll be so glad once you've completed the entire process

Oh yes, the literature review can be difficult. I agree with drkl, revisions are the normal process. I found it helpful to let the variables of the research questions drive the literature review. That worked for me.

If you can afford to quit your job, do it. I did not work the first three years of my PhD training. The extra time allowed me to strive to do my best work. I am at the top of my class.

Thank you, kmcmahon & kikothedog. Right now I'm working with at risk master's degree students. I love the job; however, I wish more students were passionate about their studies.

I would love to participate as well. Please send the link.

I'm so happy to report that I will be graduating with a PhD in Higher Education Leadership in July. The road was hard but I am so glad that I did not give up!

In reference to the proposal topic, make sure you're passionate about the area of study. You will be spending years with it, researching articles for the literature review,.and even with today's databases, it's a lot of work.

In reference to the proposal topic, make sure you're passionate about the area of study. You will be spending years with it, researching articles for the literature review, and even with today's databases, it's a lot of work.

Passion for learning new concepts and your subject matter can't be minimized. Perhaps this is not the right time for you to be in school.

Keep pushing yourself. I've had all of the same feelings that you've expressed. I am graduating in July 2015 and I could not be happier. It's worth it!