Behind the scene: Time Management

When a research project is done, your readers will judge you based on the final draft and how well you present all objectives. In order to get to that perfect finalized version, you go through months and countless hours of reading, revising, and editing. The audience will only see the perfect version, while all those drafts will remain in the past. The important thing is to keep going until you are done and never give up on it.

As a new researcher, I have discovered many traits about myself that I did not know before. For example, I am a perfectionist. As a perfectionist, I hold myself to very high standards in completing my research project. Time management is by far the most important sector of completing my work and being satisfied with my final draft. Of course, this is easier said than done. As a busy woman, it can be very hard to keep up with so many responsibilities, which is why being organized plays a tremendous role as well. In order to understand good time management and organization, I must envision a plan to follow since I am a visionary learner. 

So, here is my current game plan for my research project: 

Summer 2019: 

Explore research topics, find my passion for research, and reach out to the University of Wisconsin Eau Claire professors who have potential in guiding you in the right direction. 

Fall 2019-2020:

September 2019: Begin working with my research mentor to find a topic that we are both passionate about. 

October 2019: Find articles that relate to my research topic, understand the articles, and take notes on the author’s way of organizing their project.

November: Create an initial plan on what type of research I will be conducting. Find methodologies and strategies that fit my work.

December:  Construct how to successfully complete my narrative research and the first rough draft of the literature review.

Spring 2020:

 January: Continue finding articles that relate to my topic and research methodology.

February: Decide where to collect data from, and who will fit criteria for my research purpose. 

March: Begin the development of my theoretical frame. 

April: Brainstorm questions for the interview process. 

As of April 2020, I have decided on my final research title: How Women of Color Navigate Through Predominantly White Institutions, which will consist of a narrative research methodology from Latina & Black women in higher education constructed by interviews of their personal and educational stories. In the research project, I am hoping to be the voice of millions of women of color who struggle daily in their route to pursue a diploma. 

"The moment you give up, is the moment you let someone else win." - Kobe Bryant