lease draft a response to another students discussion board post. Here was the original instructions the student was answering in their original post: What is your experience with doctoral persistence? If you do not have much experience with doctoral persistence, what is your experience with persisting to complete difficult tasks? From your experience, what do you think is required to succeed in a doctoral business program?

QUESTION

Please draft a response to another students discussion board post. Here was the original instructions the student was answering in their original post:

1. What is your experience with doctoral persistence? If you do not have much experience with doctoral persistence, what is your experience with persisting to complete difficult tasks?
2. From your experience, what do you think is required to succeed in a doctoral business program?

Here is the students post you are responding to:

Doctoral Persistence

I knew that I wanted to earn my doctoral degree after talking with my professors my first day of undergrad. I was the first person in my family to earn my bachelor and masters degrees, likewise, I will be the first to earn my Doctorate. My sisters all started undergrad, however, life events prevented them from continuing. My brother never desired to attend college. I am the youngest of five children, so they all pushed me to do great. They all encouraged me every step of the way. My entire family views me as the one who will do great things in life. I also have ten nieces and nephews who look up to me. To have a doctoral degree will not only be a huge accomplishment for me, but for my family as well.

I have taken twelve classes in the Doctor of Business Administration program. This is class number thirteen for me. I decided to jump straight into my doctoral degree right after my masters degree. I made that decision because I knew that if I waited at all, it would take me years to start again, just as it did with my masters. I graduated undergrad in 2013, however, I did not start my masters degree until 2017. After my third class in this program, I was torn between continuing straight through with my degree or taking a break to regroup and start back within a year. That class had really done a number on me and made me question my abilities. I prayed and weighed my options and thought through the lessons that I teach my daughter; the biggest one being to never quit, I decided to continue to go straight through.

I faced another crossroads in February of 2020. My father was diagnosed with prostate cancer and my grandmother’s health was deteriorating due to her pancreatic cancer and newly diagnosed lung cancer. All my family is in South Carolina and I am in Louisiana, so I could not just pick up and be with either of them. I could not concentrate and cried for days causing me to almost miss assignment deadlines. My grandmother’s body began to shut down and it was only a matter of time. At this point, I am ready to withdraw from school. The last conversation I had with my grandmother, she said to me, “You just don’t know how much I love you and how proud I am of you”. She died on March 10, 2020.

Classes were due to start that following Monday and I was in no mood to do anything. I wanted to withdraw from classes. I thought back on her words and recalled the smile on her face when she said that to me and decided to continue with my degree. I could not quit so far in especially after her passing. I must finish this degree not only for myself, but for my grandmother. It was not an easy task pressing on and continuing with life after the matriarch of my family was no longer with us here on earth. Daily, I pray asking God for the strength to continue and talk to my grandmother. Giving up is not an option.

Obtaining a doctoral degree is no easy feat and it is not for anyone that lacks drive, persistence, and determination. It can be even more challenging in the online setting, given the fact that there is no set schedule when to attend classes. You must possess discipline and good time management skills. I have experienced both campus courses and online course; online course, in my experience are more rigorous. There are certain sacrifices that must be made, such as, long nights of research and studying, forgoing a pleasurable weekend, family event, or vacation to meet assignment deadlines.

It can be tempting to procrastinate when pressured by your peers to hangout rather than do your work. Prayer, persistence, and strong willpower is what will get you through these challenges. You must be willing to expend the effort to pursue your degree despite the challenges that may arise. You must also be due diligent and be committed to their goal of succeeding in a doctoral business program. The last and perhaps a very important element to success in a doctoral business program in a strong and understanding support system. There will be times where giving up would be the easiest option, but not the best option. You must have at least one person in their life that will push them to keep going.

Here is the instructions when replying to this students post::

• What appears to be the central theme(s) of your classmate’s experience?
• How does your experience and your classmate’s experience differ?

ANSWER

The Journey of Doctoral Persistence: A Personal Triumph

Introduction

In reading my classmate’s post about their experience with doctoral persistence, it is evident that their central theme revolves around personal motivation, family support, and the determination to overcome obstacles. While our experiences share some similarities, there are distinct differences in our journeys towards completing challenging tasks. This essay will explore the central themes in my classmate’s post and compare them to my own experiences, highlighting the importance of persistence in a doctoral business program.

Central Themes

Personal Motivation and Family Support

My classmate’s drive to pursue a doctoral degree stems from their desire to achieve great things and make their family proud. Being the first in their family to earn a bachelor’s and master’s degree, their decision to continue onto a doctorate was fueled by the encouragement of their loved ones (Fabiano, 2022). The support and belief in their abilities, not only from their immediate family but also their extended family and nieces/nephews, have served as a constant source of motivation.

Overcoming Adversity

My classmate’s journey has been marked by various crossroads and challenges. They mention moments where self-doubt crept in, and the weight of personal circumstances threatened to derail their progress (Jacob, 2021). However, they drew strength from their own teachings to their daughter, emphasizing the importance of perseverance and not giving up. The passing of their beloved grandmother further deepened their resolve to complete their degree, carrying on their family’s legacy and honoring their grandmother’s memory.

Online Learning Challenges

In their reflection, my classmate acknowledges the unique difficulties of pursuing a doctoral degree in an online setting. The absence of a set schedule requires discipline and effective time management skills (Shier, 2020). They highlight the rigorous nature of online courses, often necessitating sacrifices like forgoing leisure activities, family events, and vacations to meet assignment deadlines. Procrastination becomes a temptation when faced with peer pressure, emphasizing the importance of willpower and a strong sense of purpose.

Comparison to My Experience

While I share the commitment and determination to complete difficult tasks, my path differs from my classmate’s in several aspects. Firstly, my motivation primarily stems from personal aspirations rather than familial expectations. While I value the support of my family, their belief in me has not been a driving force in my pursuit of a doctoral degree.

Moreover, I have not faced the same level of personal adversity as my classmate. Although challenges have arisen along the way, such as time constraints and occasional doubts, I have been fortunate to have a relatively smooth journey without significant emotional or familial burdens. Nevertheless, I recognize and appreciate the strength and resilience my classmate has displayed in overcoming their obstacles.

Conclusion

The central themes emerging from my classmate’s post highlight the significance of personal motivation, family support, and overcoming adversity in the pursuit of a doctoral degree. Their experience underscores the importance of resilience, discipline, and the ability to navigate the challenges of online learning. While our journeys may differ, we both recognize the commitment and determination required to succeed in a doctoral business program.

Persistence and a strong support system are crucial in weathering the storms that arise during the doctoral journey. As we continue on our paths, it is essential to draw inspiration from personal motivations, lean on the encouragement of loved ones, and maintain unwavering dedication to our goals. By embracing these qualities, we can navigate the demands of a doctoral program and achieve the ultimate triumph of earning a doctoral degree, leaving a lasting impact on our lives and the lives of those around us.

References

Fabiano, E. (2022). How to Thrive as a First-Generation College Student in Engineering. Cellular and Molecular Bioengineering, 15(4), 293–299. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12195-022-00736-w 

Jacob, K. (2021). A Transcultural Approach to EIL Teaching and its Impact on Learners’ National Identities. www.academia.edu. https://www.academia.edu/51249122/A_Transcultural_Approach_to_EIL_Teaching_and_its_Impact_on_Learners_National_Identities 

Shier, M. (2020, September 11). 10.2 Pros and Cons of Online Learning. Pressbooks. https://opentextbc.ca/studentsuccess/chapter/pros-and-cons-of-online-learning/