Office Hours With Dr. Lacy

By Marvette Lacy, PhDEducation Courses

Office Hours With Dr. Lacy episodes

October 07 How Trying to Be the Perfect PhD Student Made Me Fail
Break The Proposal Trap Workshop:
https://qualscholars.kit.com/a846c7f948

Your dissertation writing plan looks great on Sunday. By Wednesday, life has happened, you’re behind, and you’re wondering if you have what it takes to finish.

I know that feeling. During my first semester in a PhD program, I tried to become the perfect doctoral student overnight. By Thanksgiving, I was burned out. By winter break, I was on academic probation. The next semester, I earned a 4.0. What changed was the support I built around the work.

In this episode, I share the small changes that helped me show up consistently and how you can use them to build a dissertation writing routine that works with your actual life. We’ll talk about the difference between giving yourself rules and making those rules easier to follow, why doing the bare minimum can help you rebuild trust in yourself, and a seven-day writing challenge you can start today: one “shitty paragraph” a day.

Trying the paragraph challenge? Come tell me on YouTube where you’ll write your four sentences each day.

Many Ways For You To Stay Connected!
Website: https://www.qualscholars.com/
Instagram: @qual_scholars
Business Inquiries Only: [email protected]

28 min
September 30 Why Doctoral Students Silently Give Up
Break The Proposal Trap Workshop:
⁠⁠https://qualscholars.kit.com/a846c7f948⁠⁠

You did not wake up one morning and decide to quit your dissertation. You missed one deadline, waited until you had better news for your chair, and kept waiting until weeks turned into months.
In this episode, Dr. Lacy explains how one missed deadline can turn into four months away from your dissertation. She breaks down how shame keeps doctoral students silent, why calling yourself lazy hides the support you actually need, and how one student went from almost leaving her program to finishing her entire dissertation six months later.
If you have been avoiding your chair or wondering whether it is too late to come back, start here.

Many Ways For You To Stay Connected!
Website: https://www.qualscholars.com/
Instagram: @qual_scholars
Business Inquiries Only: [email protected]
20 min
September 28 Why Smart Doctoral Students Never Finish The Dissertation
Break The Proposal Trap Workshop:
https://qualscholars.kit.com/a846c7f948
You know how to work hard. So why can you manage your career, family, and everyone else’s problems but still feel defeated by one dissertation chapter?
In this episode, Dr. Lacy explains why the habits that helped you succeed in coursework may be keeping you stuck in the dissertation stage. You’ll learn how reading, planning, and fixing citations can become ways to avoid writing, and why your imperfect draft may be exactly what your chair needs to help you move forward. Plus, Dr. Lacy shares how a ten-page rant about Beyoncé and Jay-Z helped her begin the dissertation she finished in two and a half months.
If you keep working on your dissertation without producing pages your chair can review, this episode is for you.

Many Ways For You To Stay Connected!
Website: https://www.qualscholars.com/
Instagram: @qual_scholars
Business Inquiries Only: [email protected]
18 min
April 06 How To Write Your Qualitative Dissertation Proposal Faster
Dr. Marvette Lacy shares proven strategies to help doctoral students finish their qualitative proposals without burning out. She emphasizes mindset shifts, practical steps, and the importance of investing in support to achieve graduation goals.

Finish Your Proposal Bundle: https://qualscholars.com/

Qual Scholars Community: https://qual-scholars.circle.so/

Qual Scholars' Instagram: https://instagram.com/qual_scholars/

29 min
February 11 The 3 Rules to Finish Your Dissertation
In this episode, Dr. Lacy discusses the significance of eclipse season and introduces her framework for finishing a dissertation. She outlines three essential rules: taking care of oneself through scholar basics, evaluating and creating a weekly plan, and maintaining regular communication with one's dissertation chair. These strategies aim to help doctoral students overcome burnout and achieve their academic goals more efficiently.

Dissertation Information

Stuck No More Workshop: https://qualscholars.kit.com/ab5bc15b47

Qual Scholars Community: https://qual-scholars.circle.so/

The Finish Your Dissertation Institute: https://qualscholars.com/theinstitute/

Qual Scholars Website: https://qualscholars.com/

Qual Scholars' Instagram: https://instagram.com/qual_scholars/

Book An Astrology Reading: https://www.qualscholars.com/offers/8q2V7xF3/checkout

22 min
February 04 Why Reading Is Blocking Your Writing Progress
In this conversation, Dr. Lacy addresses common challenges faced by doctoral students, particularly the struggle with writing their dissertations. She emphasizes the importance of trusting oneself to write, rather than getting stuck in a cycle of reading without producing written work. Dr. Lacy discusses the emotional barriers that can hinder progress, such as imposter syndrome and the need for validation from others. She advocates for a shift in focus from reading to writing, encouraging students to develop their voice and ideas through the writing process. Practical strategies for overcoming writing blocks and enhancing academic success are also shared.

Dissertation Information

Qual Scholars Community: https://qual-scholars.circle.so/

The Finish Your Dissertation Institute: https://qualscholars.com/theinstitute/

Qual Scholars Website: https://qualscholars.com/

Qual Scholars' Instagram: https://instagram.com/qual_scholars/

Book An Astrology Reading: https://www.qualscholars.com/offers/8q2V7xF3/checkout

6 min
January 28 How I Finished My Dissertation With Dr. Tasha Wearren
In this conversation, Dr. Tasha Wearren shares her journey through the dissertation process, discussing the challenges and triumphs she faced from data collection to defense day. She emphasizes the importance of community support, time management, and the need to honor research questions while navigating the complexities of qualitative research. Dr. Wearren reflects on her experiences, offering insights and advice for those currently in the dissertation phase, highlighting that the journey is not just about completing a degree but also about personal growth and resilience.

How I Passed My Exams With Ease With Tasha Wearren

https://www.youtube.com/live/TZl5Yns2e4M?si=kRDJhsq0isSEU3gb

Dissertation Information

Qual Scholars Community: https://qual-scholars.circle.so/

The Finish Your Dissertation Institute: https://qualscholars.com/theinstitute/

Qual Scholars Website: https://qualscholars.com/

Qual Scholars' Instagram: https://instagram.com/qual_scholars/

Book An Astrology Reading: https://www.qualscholars.com/offers/8q2V7xF3/checkout

1 hr 1 min
January 21 Why Is It So Hard to Write Consistently?
In this episode, Dr. Lacy discusses the challenges of writing consistently, particularly in an academic setting. She shares her personal experiences of struggling with writing during her doctoral program, emphasizing that the difficulties often stem from a lack of structure, support, and understanding of expectations. Dr. Lacy highlights the importance of developing a writing process, seeking community support, and focusing on producing tangible results to build confidence. She encourages listeners to recognize the hidden challenges in academic writing and to seek out supportive environments to thrive.

Dissertation Information

Stuck No More Workshop: https://qual-scholars.circle.so/

Qual Scholars Community: https://qual-scholars.circle.so/

The Finish Your Dissertation Institute: https://qualscholars.com/theinstitute/

Qual Scholars Website: https://qualscholars.com/

Qual Scholars' Instagram: https://instagram.com/qual_scholars/

Book An Astrology Reading: https://www.qualscholars.com/offers/8q2V7xF3/checkout

Chapters

00:00 The Struggle of Consistent Writing
02:44 Navigating Academic Challenges
05:51 Finding Support and Community
08:35 Developing a Writing Process
11:43 The Importance of Results and Confidence
14:33 Overcoming Imposter Syndrome
17:17 Creating a Supportive Environment

23 min
January 14 If You're So Smart, Why Can't You Finish Your Dissertation?
In this conversation, Dr. Lacy shares her personal journey of struggling to complete her dissertation, highlighting the emotional and mental challenges faced by doctoral students. She emphasizes the importance of community, self-care, and small actionable steps to overcome burnout and anxiety. Dr. Lacy advocates for building a support system and recognizing the need for safety in the writing process, ultimately encouraging listeners to seek help and invest in their academic journey.

Dissertation Information

Stuck No More Workshop: https://qualscholars.kit.com/ab5bc15b47

Qual Scholars Community: https://qual-scholars.circle.so/

The Finish Your Dissertation Institute: https://qualscholars.com/theinstitute/

Qual Scholars Website: https://qualscholars.com/

Qual Scholars' Instagram: https://instagram.com/qual_scholars/

Book An Astrology Reading: https://www.qualscholars.com/offers/8q2V7xF3/checkout

Chapters

00:00 The Struggle of Completing a Dissertation
02:46 Finding Inspiration and Community
05:47 The Importance of Small Steps
08:24 Understanding Burnout and Self-Care
11:16 Building a Support System
14:00 The Role of Creativity in Overcoming Challenges
16:57 Recognizing the Need for Support
19:40 Strategies for Mental and Emotional Health
22:36 The Power of Community and Accountability
25:29 Investing in Support as a Strategy
28:12 Conclusion and Call to Action
34 min
January 07 How I Finished My Dissertation In 2 Months
In this episode, Dr. Lacy shares her personal journey of completing her dissertation in just two months, emphasizing the importance of mindset, community support, and structured routines. She discusses the challenges faced during her PhD program, the significance of accountability, and practical strategies for overcoming obstacles in the dissertation writing process. Dr. Lacy encourages listeners to shift their perspectives on the dissertation, treat it as a process rather than a precious document, and seek support to achieve their academic goals.

Dissertation Information

Stuck No More Workshop: https://qualscholars.kit.com/ab5bc15b47

Qual Scholars Community: https://qual-scholars.circle.so/

The Finish Your Dissertation Institute: https://qualscholars.com/theinstitute/

Qual Scholars Website: https://qualscholars.com/

Qual Scholars' Instagram: https://instagram.com/qual_scholars/

Book An Astrology Reading: https://www.qualscholars.com/offers/8q2V7xF3/checkout

Chapters

00:00 New Year, New Goals: The Dissertation Journey Begins
00:59 Reflecting on the PhD Experience: A Personal Story
03:54 Facing Challenges: The Pressure of Deadlines
08:53 Building a Support System: The Power of Community
12:17 Navigating the Dissertation Process: From Data to Discussion
15:21 Overcoming Mental Barriers: The Mindset Shift
20:27 Creating Structure: The Importance of Systems and Accountability
22:18 Treating the Dissertation as a Process: Letting Go of Perfectionism
26:58 Choosing the Right Dissertation Topic
31:39 Establishing a Productive Routine
37:23 The Importance of Writing Blocks
40:41 Writing Before You're Ready
46:16 Seeking Support and Accountability
55 min