Once you’ve made the decision to earn an online doctorate, you’ll need to maintain your level of commitment throughout the program. You can expect long hours and hard work, so stay motivated and make the most of your academic journey.
Your level of motivation is a key factor in determining your success as a doctorate learner. Balancing your online coursework with other responsibilities can be challenging, and at certain points in your degree program, you may feel tempted to give up.
However, it is important to never lose sight of the benefits that will come with having your online doctorate degree. In addition to major milestones, it is also important to focus on the small successes throughout your doctorate journey, as this can help you to avoid feeling overwhelmed and stay motivated!
Research is an important component of any doctoral degree. Therefore, be sure to immerse yourself in research during your time as a doctorate learner. This can help you to gain valuable knowledge and become familiar with the role of research in your field.
For example, if you are earning your PhD online, you may have the opportunity to conduct research that can lead to new developments in current research or the creation of new theories. Conducting research can be exciting — especially if you get to see your work published. Therefore, taking advantage of research opportunities can be beneficial for doctorate learners.
Having strong reading and writing skills is necessary for completing an online doctorate degree. In an online format, nearly all of your communication with professors and other learners will be done through writing, and most of your assignments will be completed in written format as well. In addition, you will most likely be given reading assignments in order to engage with the class material.
With GCU’s interactive digital classrooms, you will have the opportunity to connect with your classmates and professors. Building these relationships can bring many benefits, both during your time as a doctoral learner and after you graduate.
While you are a doctoral learner, connecting with peers can allow you to bounce ideas off one another and develop teamwork skills. In addition, by building relationships with your professors, you can receive valuable feedback and advice. GCU’s Doctoral Community (DC) Network® helps to keep learners and faculty connected virtually throughout their program and after graduation through inactive communication, instant notifications, and an indexed search functionality that offers collaboration among those with similar academic interests.
