1.    Start writing rather than wait too long and risk paralysis. 

2.    It does not have to be perfect, circulate it early on to help refine your ideas and get feedback.
3.    Remember that the proposal is just a proposal-- a fantasy document, an ideal—be aware that the project will                     evolve.
4.    Think of the proposal as an opportunity to organize your confusion.
5.    Look at other proposals in your discipline – look at several because they vary in format
6.    Be aware of disciplinary expectations.  For example, some disciplines require general chapter descriptions while               others do not.

1.    Great way of experimenting with ideas for dissertation chapters
2.    Opportunity to hone research questions into brief simple statements that can be understood by scholars outside                your area of specialty.
3.    They are a good exercise in learning to state your ideas up front.
4.    Take them as an opportunity to benefit from sharing your ideas with established scholars.
5.    When using jargon/specialized terminology  be sure to clearly state what you mena.  Its purpose is to advance                 your argument not to obscure it!
6.    Abstracts can be a good exercise in learning to express your project succinctly.

1.    Think about the process strategically.  There are advantages and disadvantages to having junior v. senior faculty              as primary advisors. Generally, more established scholars will have the experience to guide you and your                    committee better. Keep in mind, senior faculty also tend to have larger professional networks that you can                    access.
2.    Think carefully about who your committee members are and what position they are commenting from.  Take                  their feedback in stride
3.    Be professionally pragmatic in your choice – but choose people who have time for you.
4.    Filter their comments, and remember ultimately this is your project
5.    This process is about developing your own professional and intellectual identity.
6.    Don’t rely too much on advisors to go forward.  Set your own deadlines.

1.    Think beyond topical commonality.  Look for unexpected linkages that will produce fruitful conversations.
2.    Cross disciplinarity is essential.
3.    Think carefully about how you name panels, they should not be too narrow or too broad. Ask yourself what will            appeal to potential conference attendees.
4.    Conferences are good spaces to present ideas that are in different phases of development—but the tradeoff is it                can be a drain on your time.

1.    Take a conversational approach to presentations but be aware of disciplinary expectations.
2.    Begin by telling your audience what to expect and then present your argument.
3.    Don’t spend too much time on a lit review when presenting, focus on your ideas and conclusions.
4.    Don’t over compensate by referencing everything you’ve ever done or read.
5.    Time and practice your presentation…running over the set time limit is never a good way to present your work.
6.    You can use conference presentations to establish your expertise in a particular area however, think through the              timing of presenting your work publicly – you don’t want to give away your argument too soon.
7.    Conferences can provide useful deadlines for getting ideas into written form.

1.    Set guidelines with your advisor about the process of creating and circulating drafts of your work.
2.    Create peer dissertation groups – CRE work sessions are a good example
3.    Find appropriate venues to share your work – you need trustworthy people to comment on your work, it should             be a place where you build confidence and get constructive feedback.
4.    Use regular meetings as deadlines for getting a chapter ready to circulate to appropriate peer group.
5.    It can be useful to circulate the first 5-10 pages of a chapter -  to see if it produces a good conversation about                   what your chapter is about.
6.    You can circulate to different members of your committee at different points.
7.    Set deadlines –figure out a work schedule that works for you. Be realistic about the deadlines you set and honor              them.
8.    Though you may not know it…you already know how to write a chapter!  Think of each chapter as an extended            seminar paper.  The only difference your chapter has a relationship to a larger framework.

1.    Apply often but be aware that rejection is part of the process.  Remember, there are things to be gained from the              application process itself.
2.    Start preparing early.
3.    Understand what the funder wants and gear your application to those wants.
4.    Explore different aspects of your project in funding applications –they are a good way to determine how flexible              the boundaries of your project are.
5.    Know the audience that you are writing to – it may be useful to talk to faculty or other students who have                        applied.
6.    Readers are not necessarily knowledgeable about your specialty or topic. Make it compelling to a general                        academic audience.
7.    Informal or formal discussion groups are a great resource for circulating, revising and strategizing for funding                  applications.  For example, work sessions at the CRE are a great environment for this purpose.

1.    Just do it.  Don’t get stranded in preparation. Write everyday.
2.    Find your own rhythm – what time of day you work best – and once you find that time, protect it zealously.
3.    You will tempted to procrastinate, fight the urge when you can.  Figure out ways to make writing itself a form of            procrastination.
4.    Assign goals for your time – teaching, writing, socializing, watching tv, etc.
5.    Cookies and other treats are necessary.  So is the gym.
6.    Talking to other students is important and will help you remain optimistic.  Especially, at that stage when the                    process becomes more solitary (think ABD here).
7.    Isolation is counterproductive and at its worst paralyzes and fuels insecurities.
8.    Writing is a product and process of collective knowledge.  You’re not as smart as your project on any given day.
9.    Writing is re-writing, accept it.
10.  Being a scholar is about being a writer.

1.    Understand whether the position you are applying for is about teaching or research, or both and highlight that in              your cover letter
2.    Include all relevant information in your cover letter up front and do not write more than a page if possible.
3.    Attend as many job talks as you can stand without raising your anxiety level and participate in job talk prep.
4.    Talk to as many people as possible about their experiences and consider their advice.
5.    Faculty input from people who have served on search committees  is important.
6.    Learn about the department you are applying to in advance of the application.  Have questions for them when                  you interview, and remember that they want to know you as a whole person not just as a scholar.