It's great to start off a new year with a message notifying me that one of the graduate students in my "flock" has completed his PhD thesis and passed his oral Viva in the UK. Congratulations, Matt!!
Very few people how much effort is involved in earning a doctoral degree. It goes on for years, and of course it doesn't just take effort. It takes intelligence, commitment, understanding of the research process, skills in academic writing, and above all a love of the subject that you're studying.
Most students don't start a graduate program knowing that they will need all that. Many fall by the wayside because they are completely unprepared. The people who find their way to me are often exhausted, frustrated and disenchanted.
The request I get most often is "Just help me get done."
And that's what I do. My global student body has very high standards, and so do I. It's just a case of helping them learn what to do, and then overseeing their work while they do it.
It's wonderful to see their confidence grow, the Ah-Ha moments they experience, and the relief when they finally submit a thesis.
And then comes the news they've passed and are celebrating with loved ones. There's really nothing like it.
So well done, Matt! I'm so glad I was able to help.