Dissertation Supervision

If You do your thesis/dissertation/final project under my supervision, please do read these tips! To others, hopefully these tips will help you passing through tough process of completing your dissertation.

1. You may not get an ‘A’ (A supervisor does not grade your work). An ‘A’ however is far less important than a maximum learning satisfaction and a growing life.

2. An ‘A’ is a public evaluation upon your work, but do remember that public opinions are often very subjective – and sometimes lack of credibility. Not achieving an ‘A’ is not a sin, nor a failure. Say it to yourself: ‘The examiners have failed to see the jewel within my work – but God will never fail!’ Doesn’t true judgment come only from God? The true reward of your thesis is not your grade, but your maturing life.

3. But when you get an ‘A’, do remember that the ‘A’ is not all yours. Your loved ones are part of your global effort in completing your study. God grants you an ‘A’ not mainly to add your confidence – He gives it to you (1) knowing that you are humble enough to be trusted with an ‘A’, or (2) knowing that you need to affirm that God is so merciful to you.

4. Your sin is when you do not try to reach your maximum potential! And your supervisor’s very sin is when he or she does not encourage you (or ‘push you’ so to speak) to reach your maximum potential! Do your best! God and (perhaps) your supervisor know your weaknesses – yet God and a good supervisor want you to overcome those weaknesses by your very hard work, discipline and serious commitment.

5. Read books, articles, essays related to your work as much as possible! See the world and the lives surround you with open eyes and open heart! Try to reflect what have been written in documents with the world’s realities. This will help your thesis to sound (be heard) and function.

6. Write your thesis according to the (grammatical) rule. Do remember that good grammar results in good grade. Grammatical errors show your lack of commitment to the work. Learn how to quote, how to write bibliography, how to distinguish prefixes from preposition, how to do footnoting, and how to compose a good and clear sentence! Accordingly, your thesis should be readable. Do not waste your time and energy by writing a document that no one finds enjoyment in reading it!

7. Clarify your thought and argument! Focus on your topic! Do not let good materials destroy your glorious vision! You are not building a complex building, not even a simple one. Do remember that you are producing only a small piece of a complex building. That small piece however should uphold the building to value well.

8. Build a solid argument! You are presenting your argument and persuading your examiners to buy your argument. A convincing argument should be built on strong roots and developed on tough trunks.

9. Try your best to submit your drafts on the appointed time.

10. Love your work – Have passion on it!

11. Pray, pray and pray! Pray for your work, your respondents, your loved ones, your health, your friends (who are in a similar situation and struggle), your commitment, your ministries, your church, your leaders, your spiritual life and not the least pray for your supervisor! In everything let God lead you in His wonderful road – but at the same time, in everything let you not reduce your duties to live your life best. May God bless you!