As I write, I’m staring at the end of coursework, studying for comps, and continuing to write my dissertation.  While it’s lovely to see another milestone approaching, I know I have a lot to do, and frankly, that can be overwhelming.  How do I cope?

I organize.

1. Figure Out Exactly What You Have To Do

Seeing the “forest through the trees” can be one of the most difficult parts of research for me.  I need to outline everything and divide it up before I can really embark on a project, so that is what I did the other day.  I figured out which chapters were outlined, drafted, or even just a seed of an idea in my brain.  I wrote a chapter outline down with a status report for each chapter, including my literature review, introduction, conclusion, and other front matter.  You have to do them eventually!

2. Binders Are Your Friend

Just before my first dissertation committee meeting, I had to prepare a brief proposal that outlined my coursework, career goals, and dissertation topic.  In addition to bringing that to the meeting, I wanted to be able to show what sort of progress I’ve made thus far.  I put together a binder that had papers that may feed into the dissertation, my Advanced Research Methods proposal, book lists, literature reviews, and anything else that was involved in my research.  It’s very DIY, and very pretty, but also very functional.  It also holds research now, but I have a feeling I’ll make other binders for research.  I also have a file system for other drafts and articles that don’t quite “make it” into the binder.  These physical manifestations remind me that I have done a lot of work, and it can be a real motivator when I’m feeling behind.

3. Make Lists Like a Boss

Now that you have considered what you have left to do and created a physical manifestation of what you have completed, break your project down and make lists. Right now I have just one list that takes each component one step forward.  For instance, in my journey to the comprehensive exam, I need to get my book listed completed and approved.  I’m not looking beyond that on the list.  Yes, I’m studying here and there, but it’s not on the “to do” list.  The chapters that need outlined are listed, as are those that need revisions.  It’s pointless to list EVERYTHING that needs to be done over the next two years.  I sit down once a month and revise the list.

4. Do All the Things!

From what I can tell, this is where problems can happen.  Colleagues have told me about their troubles getting from the research stage to the writing stage, or they can’t find the point to stop writing.  Making these point-by-point lists makes things more manageable.  No, it’s not a perfect system, nor is it for everyone, but I hope it helps a little.

If you need supply suggestions, these are the things I use:

– Moleskine notebooks and planners (my favorite)

– Target 2″ binders with the clip board in the front (for my committee and advisor meetings)

– Martha Stewart labels for the outside of the binders.  They came in a pack of 6.

– Post-it tabs (they come in A LOT of colors)

Organizing always makes me feel a little more in control of the dissertation process, and while it might seem like these activities are taking you away from writing or researching.  However, a little organization can help you work smarter and more efficiently, thereby making it worthwhile in the long run.

– The Lady Americanist.

I have been looking forward to traveling to Chicago for the Popular Culture Association and American Culture Association conference since last year’s adventure in Washington D.C.  This gathering never disappoints.  Friendly attendees, exciting panels, and open-minded scholars are just part of the reason I love going each year.  Being in American studies, we have a lot of freedom as to where we present our scholarship, as well as a lot of variety in terms of feedback.  Attending ASA or EASA garners feedback from within the discipline, but PCA-ACA is populated with so many different scholars that it reminds us of the interdisciplinary nature of our “non-discipline.”  The feedback here is informed by sociology, literature, social justice, gender studies, and the entire spectrum of academia.  Some see it as a “fluff” conference, but I completely disagree.  I get my most effective responses and suggestions from this conference.

We arrived Tuesday evening, after a rainy day in Harrisburg.  There was still snow on the ground in Chicago, something we had only recently rid ourselves of in Central PA.  The flight was uneventful, except for the combination of the drink service and turbulence.  Our hotel is vast and took some serious exploration to understand.  We have spent our leisure time in the pool, dining on Chicago deep-dish, and exploring local museums.  Two of my colleagues experienced the architecture from the Chicago River and Lake Michigan, which they highly recommend.  I spent some time at the Museum of Science and Industry’s exhibit of pieces from the Walt Disney archives.

I present this afternoon, so I hope to have more to report come tomorrow.  I met some of my peers at the Game Studies first official “game night,” and I learned how to play Boss Master, a card game based roughly on video games from the late 1980s.  I have also rubbed elbows with celebrities!  I met Barbara Eden (from I Dream of Jeannie) at the annual speaker event (my pictures didn’t come out…), and I met Mark Volman, who is better known as Flo from Flo and Eddie.  Both were very nice folks, and it is great to see actual figures from popular culture attending the conference.

– The Lady Americanist.