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Coffee, laughs and dissertations

Wednesday, 18 October 2006

The Dissertation Divas enjoy a good laugh, especially when it’s about how life is tough. The group meets at 3:30 p.m. Fridays in the Women’s Center and is a support group for women working on their doctorates. Sitting in a circle on cushy chairs and couches, the women share strategies and talk out problems, safe in the knowledge that their comments won't leave the room. “It’s all a juggling act,” Diva Val Russo said. Russo is just one of six women who attended the meeting last Friday. A handful of the 20 or so members of the Divas attend every Friday, working it into their busy schedules. After the women settle down and grab a cup of coffee, the support group kicks into gear. Each member tells of her troubles and successes of the previous week, followed by her goals for the next week. The rest of the Divas pitch in encouragement, jokes and tips. Although each Diva is working toward her doctorate, each comes from a different department and has unique personal challenges. Jeanie Harvey is the group’s leader and directs the flow of the meeting. “Over 50 percent of the women who start doctoral degrees drop out,” Harvey said. It’s easy to see why as the Divas discuss the hardships they face every week. Whenever Alicia de la Cruz has a moment of spare time, she picks up a research book. “My husband always says that free time should be relaxing,” de la Cruz said with a smile. De la Cruz isn’t alone with trying to cram study into every part of the day. “I’m always fighting the guilt of not doing enough schoolwork,” Russo said. But not much time goes by at the meeting without a good joke, whether it’s about spare time or goals for the week. “My goals for this week that don’t include having a Corona?” Russo asked. Many of the Divas have full-time jobs and family to fit into their lives. Harvey offered up a tip that brought laughs to the whole group. “Have a little free time so your husband will still talk to you,” she said. The success of the group is that everyone is getting one step closer to finishing their degrees. “It just gets you through one more week,” Russo said. The Divas also share strategies for taking exams and for writing their dissertations. Books are shared, and this week member Ree Brannon brought a copy of “Writing Up Qualitative Research” by Harry F. Wolcott. After passing around the slim volume, Harvey decided to get a few copies for the Women’s Center library. Although the Dissertation Divas are mostly about the doctoral path, a couple of graduate students are also members. For more information on the Dissertation Divas, contact Jeanie Harvey at the Women’s Center. Add as favorites (22) | Views: 478 Be first to comment this article Write Comment Please keep the topic of messages relevant to the subject of the article. Personal verbal attacks will be deleted. Please don't use comments to plug your web site. Such material will be removed. Just ensure to *Refresh* your browser for a new security code to be displayed prior to clicking on the 'Send' button. Keep in mind that the above process only applies if you simply entered the wrong security code. Name: Title: Comment: