tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17974015.post4469657519893592656..comments2024-03-15T01:11:32.832-07:00Comments on Bardiac: MA MiseryBardiachttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11846065504793800266noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17974015.post-72690633284044644122012-06-05T08:01:21.096-07:002012-06-05T08:01:21.096-07:00Thanks, Peggy and Janice; I think you're right...Thanks, Peggy and Janice; I think you're right that I should set fairly serious deadlines. <br /><br />One difficulty is that a fair number of our students are teachers, and they're way busy working during the school year when I'm available and under contract. They're also often parents, and that rightly takes a lot of time and energy.Bardiachttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11846065504793800266noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17974015.post-11003627405357926812012-06-05T07:07:36.321-07:002012-06-05T07:07:36.321-07:00Our programs have a lot in common. About eight yea...Our programs have a lot in common. About eight years ago, we decided to combat the tendency for students to disappear with all but their final papers or theses with two changes.<br /><br />First, we instituted a mandatory course in methods in their first term. Students learn about the discipline and also build their own research proposal. It's complete at the end of the term, ready to go to the department.<br /><br />Second is to circulate and publicize the milestones of students in the essay (1 year) and thesis (2 year streams). When we did the sample schedule, we realized students really needed at least a rough draft in June if they hoped to complete their essay for the committee by August 15. Thesis students need to be done in April of their second year in order to make a summer defense.<br /><br />Determining a research topic, supervisor and all that can't wait until coursework's over. Changing that requires significant buy-in across the program, though.<br /><br />In the meantime, set up a weekly or, at most!, every other week email check-in with your student to keep everyone on track. My student who's aiming to finish this summer handed in a very rough first draft last month and we've had two email conversations ss well as one face-to-face meeting in the meantime. I consider him well on track for completion.Janicehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14093558563358431804noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17974015.post-19540123447895689372012-06-04T16:09:34.474-07:002012-06-04T16:09:34.474-07:00I was one of those masters types. My excuse was th...I was one of those masters types. My excuse was that I got into med school, so thats why I couldn't finish my thesis. I ended up finishing it on Christmas break my first year of school <br /><br />Can you give them deadlines? Like " I'd like you to work on this section and meet with me again in two weeks."<br /><br />I know its supposed to be up to them, but I know myself if I have n externally imposed deadline I work so much more towards that than some internal one I try to set up for myself. <br /><br /> PeggyMargaret Polaneczky, MD (aka TBTAM)https://www.blogger.com/profile/16555722791007332247noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17974015.post-37045966988691084172012-06-04T15:57:02.283-07:002012-06-04T15:57:02.283-07:00For once, you're making me happy that Heartlan...For once, you're making me happy that Heartland U doesn't have a master's program. This sounds like a real bother.Fie upon this quiet life!https://www.blogger.com/profile/12047096700049201873noreply@blogger.com