Dissertation Mistakes That Cost Years of Work

In this live, I will share a story from my very first semester.
I received two C’s, which led to academic probation.

One course was taught by the most beloved faculty member in the program.
She was known for being supportive.
She was also known for being disorganized.

We did not receive a final syllabus until the last few weeks of the semester.
A mid semester paper counted for a large portion of our grade.
Feedback came days before the final was due.

The problem was this.
There was no rubric.

I was told my framing was wrong.
My citations were not explicit enough.
The expectations were never explained.
I did my best to respond to vague feedback while overwhelmed and anxious.
I still received a C.

That moment changed how I understood doctoral education.
I was being graded on rules I was never given.

In this live, I explain:
What the hidden curriculum actually is
How unclear expectations quietly punish students
Why some people seem to “just know” what to do
Why confusion is structural, not personal
If you have ever felt ashamed, behind, or punished without understanding why, this live is for you.

Inside the Finish Your Dissertation Institute, we make the hidden curriculum visible and teach the process in clear, simple terms.

Apply here: https://qualscholars.com/theinstitute/