The September Reality Check
Many PhD students treat September like they're starting fresh, creating unrealistic expectations that lead to October burnout. The better approach: September is about rebuilding momentum, not creating it from scratch.
π The Three-Week Re-entry Strategy
Rather than diving headfirst into intensive writing, use these three weeks to rebuild your dissertation relationship:
Week 1: Reconnect
- Read your last 10 pages written (don't edit, just absorb)
- Review summer notes/ideas without judgment
- Set up your workspace again
- Reacquaint yourself with your argument
Week 2: Recalibrate
- Assess what changed over summer (insights, interests, circumstances)
- Update your timeline to reflect fall realities
- Choose ONE small project to complete this week
- Reconnect with your advisor or accountability partner
Week 3: Rebuild
- Establish your sustainable fall writing rhythm
- Schedule your first accountability check-in
- Start tracking small wins again
- Complete one concrete, meaningful task
Setting Dissertation Boundaries with Fall Demands
Fall brings competing priorities β new courses, teaching responsibilities, conference deadlines. Here's how to protect your dissertation progress:
β° Time Boundaries
Treat dissertation time like a scheduled class β non-negotiable blocks that don't get moved for "urgent" but non-critical tasks.
π§ Mental Boundaries
Create transition rituals between dissertation and other work β close all other browser tabs, change locations, or use specific playlists.
β‘ Energy Boundaries
Schedule dissertation work during your peak cognitive hours, not leftover time when you're mentally exhausted.
Practical Tip: Use your course syllabi to identify "dissertation-friendly" weeks in advance β lighter grading periods, no major deadlines. Mark these on your calendar as potential intensive writing weeks.
β September Dissertation Restart Checklist
π― This Month's Focus: Small Wins, Big Picture
September Goal: Don't try to solve everything. Focus on rebuilding the habit of regular dissertation engagement.
Progress isn't about sprinting out of the gate β it's about consistent forward movement.
Suggested September Wins:
- Reconnected with dissertation content β
- Updated timeline to reflect fall realities β
- Established sustainable weekly writing schedule β
- Completed one concrete task (started drafting, coded data, etc.) β
π This Month's Resource
Book: "Atomic Habits" by James Clear β particularly Chapter 1 on the power of small, consistent changes. Perfect for rebuilding dissertation habits after a summer break.
Erin Sorensen 