Many people I know found it surprising that I was able to finish my Ph. D. within the normal four-year period. I do not blame them for that. After all the Arar inquiry was still going on. Back then I still had all the extreme pressure that came with the media attention not to mention that my post traumatic stress level was at its peak. Coordinating my supporters’ and lawyers’ efforts was another huge task.

While luck may have played a role (like some people would like to believe) I am convinced that the following tips have allowed me, and I am sure will allow any future Ph. D. candidate, to finish on time:

1. Choose a research subject that you are passionate about

Before I even applied for admission I knew exactly what research area I was interested in. Choosing a topic that you are passionate about is crucial as it will help you keep the motivation levels high despite all the obstacles that you may face.

In my case, I found that the use of MIMO (i.e. multiple antennas at both the transmit and receive ends) to boost data rates without the need to use extra spectrum was an intriguing subject that was worth investigating.

2. Make sure your research topic has practical applications if not now but will in few years from now

This is important in the sense that your research should not be purely theoretical. This in turn will help you in your mission and keep you focused on your goal. Why? because you can feel the importance of what you are doing by simply reading business publications and by surfing the internet.

In my case I was able to easily find out that MIMO was going to be hot in WLAN and future 3G/4G as spectrum scarcity was on the rise and its acquisition cost was becoming more and more prohibitive.

3. Make sure you have a plan

Every Ph. D. candidate seems to agree that this is the most important thing they should be doing and yet I was amazed how many Ph.D. candidates I met did not have any plan at all. Knowing my research subject before I even took courses not only helped me choose the right ones but it also helped me choose the right topics for my term papers.

I was able to use not only the knowledge gained from writing these term papers but also many of the actual sections, figures, illustrations, etc. This will save you alot of time later when it is time to write your thesis. Never underestimate the time it takes to a produce a quality thesis.

4. Set achievable quarterly milestones

When it comes to measuring your productivity do it in quarters. With the help of your supervisor implement a milestone system by which you can either celebrate the outcome (and hence boost your motivation levels) or hold your self accountable for what went wrong. Make sure these milestones are reasonably achievable.

5. Build relationship of trust with your supervisor

You have to keep your supervisor as happy as you can and never play tricks with him/her. Try as much as you can to meet the deadlines for the milestones you and him/her have agreed to.

In my case, I was able to meet most of the deadlines to the point where I was reminding him about them. That helped both of us build the required trust that normally lacks in many student/supervisor relationships. If you do this you will find that your supervisor will be your best ally.

Voila I have just shared with you my secret of how I was able to finish my Ph. D. in a record time given all the circumstances mentioned above.  Now let me go and celebrate this milestone of being able to write a blog post and share useful information with the rest of the world.

And the by the way, happy new year!!!!