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Running head: DOCTORAL PERSISTENCE PLAN

Doctoral Persistence Plan

Jonathan Powers

Liberty University
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DOCTORAL PERSISTENCE PLAN

Organization

The ability to maintain organization is an essential tool for any doctoral student, one

might argue. According to Rockinson-Szapkiw (2014), a doctoral candidate should organize his

environment so that he can maximize his planned academic commitment. As a prior active duty

servicemember and current reservist, as well as doctoral candidate who is over fifteen months

into the program, I believe I have found a comfortable approach to the organization of my

academic, work, and social life that works well for me.

Time Management

Like presumably many other doctoral candidates, I work a full-time job. Time

management is not exactly what I would call a strong suit, however, I seemingly have found a

method to ensuring all tasks are achieved by maximizing my free time off from work and

especially during the weekends. According to Rockinson-Szapkiw (2014), an essential point for

a doctoral student is to recognize how he is using his time and realize way it can be adjusted.

With that being said, I am always looking for new ways to make time for accomplishing tasks in

an effort to relive the strain that sometimes I place upon myself at the end of a week when

submissions are due.

Goal Setting

The goal for my doctoral program is to be finished by December of 2020. I believe this is

a reasonable time frame considering I am finished with over half of the coursework. According

to Rockinson-Szapkiw (2014), it is essential for the doctoral student to visualize their goals and

create the procedures that should next be taken to achieve the goal. While I will not become
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discouraged if I do not compete by my estimated time of completion, I will give my best effort to

be finished by that point in time.

Personal Health

Exercise and diet are two very important aspects of my well-being. According to

Rockinson-Szapkiw (2014), regular exercise can provide the doctoral student with a means to

reflect, meditate, and visualize their success. As a current Navy reservist, I am obligated to keep

in good physical shape and so this helps keep me fit. I enjoy exercise, especially running, and I

lend much of my ability to relieve stress through this outlet.

Stress Management

In addition to exercise, I also partake in mediation excerises. According to Rockinson-

Szapkiw (2014), meditation is a universal term used for dealing with stress management and is a

useful strategy for regulating emotions during times of stress. My approach to meditation is

through a thirty-minute to one-hour session of listening to calm readings from Biblical scripture

which help me relax and ease me to sleep.

Devoted Work Space

As a single student with no dependents, I am able to use any part of my house as a

devoted work space. According to Rockinson-Szapkiw (2014), a doctoral students’ physical

environment affects their use of time and any distractions should be removed from the area. A l
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large part of my life is my academic life and given so, I have specific designated rooms of my

house which are accented to my personal liking and help keep me focused on the tasks at hand.

Family Inclusion

As aforementioned, I am a single student with no wife, children, or any person who I

would be obligated to devote my time to. However, I do keep my parents involved as much as

needed and communicate my progress regularly. According to Rockinson-Szapkiw (2014), open

communication is essential and understanding family values has a significant role in promoting

resilience in the event of unforeseen events. I have a great support system and my parents are

understanding of my academic life. My father has a master’s degree and my mother is actually in

the dissertation phase of her PhD program, so they are empathetic and support me as needed.

Maintaining Motivation

There are times when I become overwhelmed, but I trust in the Lord to help me through.

A Bible verse which helps me through times of hardship comes from Philippians 4:13 which

states “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” If ever I feel like I want to give

up, I try to meditate and think of this verse and I am reminded that the discomfort is only

temporary.

Trust God’s Plan

The Bible selected verse for reflection in this course has to do with staying the course and

trusting God’s plan for my life. This verse comes from Jeremiah 29:11 which states ““for I know
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the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to

give you hope and a future.”” Thus far, my academic journey has been filled with ups and downs

but I am certain that finishing this program is God’s plan for my life and I know I would not

have made it this far if that weren’t the case.

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Reference

Rockinson-Szapkiw, A., & Spaulding, L. (2014). Navigating the doctoral journey: A handbook

of strategies for success. Lanham, MD: Rowman & Littlefield Education.