This book offers suggestions to doctoral students, primarily in the social and behavioral sciences, the humanities, and such professional fields as education, counseling, and social work, to help them succeed in earning a doctoral degree. It is based on the observation that successful students not only have knowledge obtained from the books they study, but also must develop an emotional and intellectual toughness, political savvy, self-discipline, and be able to accurately read the environment in which they have to function. Chapters examine (1) the dropout problem in doctoral programs, the reasons for it, and what is required, from the student's perspective, to complete a program; (2) why doctoral study is different from other academic pursuits; (3) suggestions in choosing a dissertation topic; (4) suggestions on working with the department chair and others in obtaining help; (5) ideas for writing a proposal and the dissertation; (6) things to consider when defending a thesis; and (7) problem areas for doctorate-seeking students that involve their marriage, family, and friends, including a discussion on wives pursuing doctoral study. (GLR)