How a Wedding Dress Is Like a Dissertation

While working toward my dissertation, I've found there are very many similarities between the wedding dress project and my dissertation.

What I've learned so far in each case....
1. There will be set backs. This could come in the form of sewing machine issues, sew a little, rip a little, sew a little rip a little... or in the form of required revisions in the writing process.
2. There is a trick to combining all the elements effectively.
Four patterns to combine in the dress? We'll make it work.
Qualitative and quantitative elements in the study? It's called mixed methods for a reason.

3. There will be times when no one can tell you what to do, you just have to try, and see what works. See number 1.


4. There is no class in the world you can take to prepare you, find a book and figure it out.




5. This is going to take a lot of time.
6. It's going to feel really good when it's done.