Sharing my journey

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I’ve been approached to talk about my experiences preparing for the comprehensive portfolio. I will organize some thoughts here in preparation for this event at the end of the month. I will share this opportunity with a classmate and fellow PhD candidate from my cohort. The intention is to respond to questions about our process and products. Here are some key points that I hope to share:

Where to start?

  • review the handbook and ensure understanding / clarity of the expectations for the portfolio – I did this, then revisited them before sending the portfolio to my supervisor [Remembering this Moment]
  • collect and review the work done in each of the courses – see where key points arise; overlaps occur
  • set a schedule with a due date (just as if this is a self-directed course); factor in time for reviews, revisions, bibliographic checks; factor in the time it takes for your supervisor, your committee, and the external reader to review
  • write it down and share it with others to help you hold yourself accountable [Beginning a Comprehensive Portfolio]
  • pull out the paperwork and make sure you know what needs to be submitted and in what order
  • meet with your supervisor to review your plan, timeline, proposed elements (e.g. alternative publication format)

What to do?

  • hold true to your schedule with mini-due dates, but be flexible when issues or things interrupt the process
  • write daily! even if it’s just one paragraph, it’s habit forming
  • go back to your basics – research, readings, process, products [see my “Back to Basics” post as I began the portfolio]
  • make decisions along the way – mine involved doing a dual layer publication process [Making a Decision]
  • once you’ve submitted the portfolio for review, start working on the presentation – this is your DEFENCE of the portfolio [Planning a Defence]; take time to plan and prep [Comprehensive portfolio presentation prep]; prepare for questions [Questions about Questions];
  • reflect (after the dust settles and the celebrations end) – [Memories Made] – these may be helpful to others.

I’ll post a reflection after this event is completed – more to come.