can you finish your thesis in a month

The Duck of Minerva

10 steps to finishing a phd thesis (or book) in 6 months.

by Megan MacKenzie

12 December 2012, 0003 EST

Most academics will admit to themselves and students that the majority of dissertations and books are written in a 6 month block of time (the remainder of the post focuses on a PhD process, but it can be easily applied to book writing). I’m talking here about the WRITING process- not the research, figuring out the question, organizing the chapters etc (no wizard can do all that in 6 months- at least not this wizard). But once you’ve done your (field) research, reading, thinking through the chapters, taking notes etc. it really should only take you 6 months to finish the thesis. For PhD students this is referred to as the end of the faffing about/procrastination/reading gawker and people.com daily/existential crisis about the structure of the thesis phase and the start of the “time to suck it up, close the office door, shut off the email, and just f#$@king write” phase.

So how can one get a complete draft of the thesis done in 6 months? Here is the 10-Step Process to Completion.

1. Figure out what your D-Day is. Look ahead approximately 6 months and determine either when you would like to submit a full draft or else acknowledge when you MUST complete (maybe the last date before you have to pay for an extra semester of tuition, maybe your committee members are leaving for sabbatacle after a certain date, maybe your partner has threatened to leave if you don’t finish by a particular date, maybe you want to finish before you give birth)- whatever it is, get the date and highlight it on all your calendars and write it up in a threatening font and paste it to your wall (I used the final date as my email password so I had to enter it everyday as a reminder….and no, I don’t still use the same password).

2. Count back from that date and clarify how much time you have left. Is it 6 months or slightly more or less? Count the number of weeks (ie 24), then acknowledge any potential periods within that time frame where you know you won’t be working (Holidays, attending a wedding etc). Now you have your total number of weeks until D-Date.

3. Panic. Yes, coming to terms with the fact that you’ve got 22 weeks to crack out a thesis before you will be faced with an extra semester of tuition sucks. Revel in the panic for a day, it will ultimately be motivating. Ask yourself how many more times you want to get questioned about “still being in school” from family members during the holidays, think about how it would feel if the student in your tutorials become your grad-student colleagues, calculate what your retirement (non)savings plan will look like if you are a student for another year- now take that panic and zen-force it into writing fuel.

4. Set out a work plan. Using the 22 week example, make a list of each of the chapters that you need to write. Start with the chapters that you feel most confident with (ie the ones that may be partially written or are based on an article or conference presentation you’ve already done). Now calculate how many weeks you can spend on each chapter and still stay within your 22 week budget. Try to be realistic (most people can’t write a decent chapter from scratch in 1 week, but you can probably revise an article and build it into a chapter in 2 weeks).

5. Panic. This is the “holy SH*T I’m never going to be able to finish” stage. Again, revel in it for an afternoon. Acknowledge fully that your days of 2-hour coffee sessions and showing up to the office hungover at 11am are over. Say goodbye to facebook, better yet, unplug or delink your office computer from the internet for all but one hour a day (most research related searches leads to an hour staring at fashion.com or somehow reading about Jessica Simpson’s second pregnancy- you know it, and I know it, so just fix the problem)

6. Based on the timeline you set at stage 4 break every week up into smaller tasks. For example, if you known you only have 2 weeks to revise a chapter and update it, break down the list of tasks that will be required and give yourself specific things to accomplish everyday (this could include reading 3 articles and incorporating the work into the chapter, revising the conclusion section etc). Again, be reasonable. I recommend writing out your weekly and daily goals up on a big piece of paper and sticking it to the wall, or getting a white board and having everything clearly laid out. You’ll look like Russel Crow from a Beautiful Mind hunched over your desk with maps and outlines everywhere- but whatever. When you finish your tasks for the day reward yourself by going home or heading out for coffee- conversely, if completing the days task means you need to stay late, so be it. Also, if you get off-track from an illness or unexpected distraction, don’t throw in the towel and abandon the whole plan. Instead, try to revamp the schedule and redistribute the tasks so that you can reasonably get back on the rails. Getting sick for a day or two is no excuse for throwing the entire plan into the garbage.

7. Set weekly rewards for yourself. Use the internet as a reward- surf through the Duck of Minerva after you’ve edited for an hour straight. Give yourself 15 minutes of Jon Stewart when you finally revise the intro you’ve been working on.

8. Make a list of brainless tasks and set it aside. Footnotes, grammar and spelling checks, looking for a lost resource are all things you should do at the end of the day or when you are feeling like a zombie. When you have to do this type of work, throw on some reggae music or whatever makes you feel good and pretend you are not doing the devil’s work.

9. Everyone says it, but you really need to do it: set a word goal everyday. In addition to your specific tasks- free write for at least an hour everyday and remind yourself that during this time you don’t need to worry about perfection. No one will read this first spewing of ideas but it will provide you with something to revise and rework into a legible chapter.

10. Let go. Get over the idea of your first draft being an earth-shattering opus and let go of your identity as a PhD student holed-up in the office writing. You will NEVER finish if you wait for perfection or if you get too attached to your student status. For me, and for most others, the best parts of my research life started POST PhD. That’s not to say you can’t enjoy the process and revel in the time and environment you are privileged with as a grad student- just don’t cling to it like a security blanket.

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Megan MacKenzie

Megan MacKenzie is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Government and International Relations at the University of Sydney in Australia. Her main research interests include feminist international relations, gender and the military, the combat exclusion for women, the aftermaths of war and post-conflict resolution, and transitional justice. Her book Beyond the Band of Brothers: the US Military and the Myth that Women Can't Fight comes out with Cambridge University Press in July 2015.

https://www.cambridge.org/ee/academic/subjects/politics-international-relations/international-relations-and-international-organisations/beyond-band-brothers-us-military-and-myth-women-cant-fight?format=PB

10 Comments

I’ve found it useful to set a word count target for each work day and to track my progress with a spread sheet. Some days I might not make it, but tracking over time allows me to ensure that on average I am on target. It also let’s me be accountable to myself.

wouldn’t take advice from someone who spells sabbatical “sabbatacle”…

OMG. A spelling troll! I haven’t seen one of those in years. Quick, someone take a picture before it disappears.

It sure is a “spectical” to see.

And it’s still going. How adorable.

anon. read the Phenomenology of Error (it is a short essay; and, maybe read Amy Tan’s Mother Tongue), watch the “grammar Nazis” Hitler clip on Youtube, talk to a therapist about the source of your anal retentive tendencies, and, finally, realize that those of us who know way more about this subject than you (linguistics profs, comp-rhet folk, et al) say you’re response is simply an ad hominem serving Empires (both past and present) and amounts to a stupid, stupid comment for a highly educated person to make.

Cause here’s the thing: countless brilliant people have been bad spellers, comma placers, etc. (like Einstein, F, Scott Fitzgerald, or Shakespeare, to mention just a very, very few). However, only a complete fool would confuse Einstein or Shakespeare’s lack of grammar/spelling hygiene for intelligence, correct?

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Tips for Completing Your PhD Thesis on Time

Completing a PhD course is undoubtedly one of the most fulfilling pursuits for academics. Recently, however, a new term arose: ABD (“All but Dissertation”). ABD refers to students who have completed their coursework and passed the exam, but have yet to complete and defend their theses. Indeed, ABD students are more common than previously thought. The PhD Completion Project revealed that the ten-year cumulative completion rate for PhD students ranges from 64% (engineering) to 49% (humanities). While not all students advance to the doctoral writing stage before dropping out, a significant portion do, based on these numbers. Leaving graduate school without finishing your thesis has psychological and occupational consequences. Completing your thesis on time is, therefore, essential for career advancement and personal growth.

Overcoming a Time Crunch

Being pressed for time will likely happen, especially if you are holding down a part-time job during your doctoral studies. The pressure to finish is greatest during the last year of your PhD and this is usually the time when conflicts and tensions arise. There are tips that can help you finish your PhD on time , even when you’re pressed for it.

• Prepare an action plan for your last year. This will help you optimize the time that you have left and avoid feeling overwhelmed by all the things that you have to do.
• Clarify your priorities. Ask yourself what you intend to finish first and stick to it. It may be helpful to break down your priorities into smaller and simpler tasks.
• “The truth can wait.” That is, it is vital to start writing your doctoral thesis once you have your data, even if more can be done.
• Know all the rules and regulations of the university. Prepare a list of all the documents and papers that you will need before you need them. This will help you avoid pitfalls in your last year.
• Familiarize yourself with software. Producing scientific documents entails the use of specific programs, such as LaTeX. While the program may not be as easy to understand as other editors, there are marked advantages such as ease in publication and faster manipulation of images.
• Pay attention to your career. While you may think that this is not the best time to think about your career , it is. Your career should follow suit after your doctoral studies, and focusing on what lies ahead will help you frame the current situation.

Key Tasks for Finishing Your PhD on Time

Finishing your PhD thesis on time is not as daunting as it sounds. Although many students will be pressed for time, completing your study is possible with a little ingenuity from your part.

• First, ensure that you meet all the PhD requirements set by your institution. Never presume anything without double-checking with your institution and your supervisor. This can save you from a lot of wasted time and stress.
• Keep a good perspective. Your peers are unlikely to read your thesis , but they are likely to read journals and articles resulting from it.
• Contrary to what most people say, your introduction should be written last. Breaking your thesis into defined stages is important for success. On that same note, your conclusion also should be written last.
• Get familiar with project management applications, such as Trello.
• Buy your own laser printer. This will save you from having to rush elsewhere to have your drafts printed. It will save you time and money as well.
• Get feedback on the entire thesis—from start to finish. Getting feedback for individual chapters is fine, but you should aim to get feedback on the entire work.
• “Begin with the end in mind.” Make sure you know when your doctoral studies are supposed to end, and when your work will be considered as done.

Planning and Writing Your Thesis

Breaking down your tasks into manageable blocks is one way to ensure that you actually finish the entire thing. There are plenty of techniques to help you along the way, such as the 25-minute Pomodoro for academic writing. Undoubtedly, writing your thesis is at least as hard as performing the actual study, but it is never impossible. With the right tools at your disposal and a positive mindset, you can finish your PhD on time. Below is a checklist of things that you need to do to get to graduation day.

• Draft your proposal and research design
• Acquire IRB consent
• Pilot study
• Gather data and information for your study
• Analyze your data
• Write, write, and write some more . Ideally, aim to write for a minimum of 30 minutes a day
• Defend your thesis

Completing your PhD paper on time is definitely possible. Knowing the tips and tricks of the trade can help you to get on your way towards a life in academia.

Thanks for the very useful article to complete the Ph.D. thesis before the deadline. The doctorate course is very difficult for the student so the student could not able to complete the work on time. But your article helps to finish the article to complete the work for the students.

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How to finish your thesis in 6 months.

It is possible to finish your thesis in 6 months, even if you don’t know what to write or haven’t finished your research. In this hour-long webinar that I gave earlier this week for students of Dora Farkas’s Finish Your Thesis , I break down the process of how to go from crippling writer’s block to writing hundreds of words a day.

I discuss the following:

• A simple daily habit that will help you start writing your dissertation
• How to make it impossible not to write everyday
• How to write even if all your research isn’t finished
• How to get the most out of your advisor meetings
• How to get your friends actively help you finish, even if they aren’t academics.

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How to write a masters thesis in 2 months [Easy steps to start writing]

Writing a master’s thesis is completely possible to write a thesis within two months as long as you stay completely focused on your writing and you do a little bit every single day. I was able to write my thesis (master’s and PhD) in approximately two months – but I did have some of the sections already prepared.

To complete your master’s thesis in two months you should start by creating an outline of the sections and headings of your thesis. Then, worked diligently to fill in the gaps with data and analysis.

It would help if you create a schedule of how many sections you need to complete a day to write up in two months.

Also, it is important that you get your supervisor on board from the earliest opportunity so that they understand the urgency and their responsibility of getting any drafts back to you in a timely fashion.

How long does it take to write a master’s or graduate thesis?

Writing a graduate thesis can be a long and arduous process that can take anywhere from one month to many years.

It is essential to start writing your thesis early in your final year of graduate school, as it requires extensive research, data collection and analysis, in addition to the actual writing.

It is important that you go into the thesis writing portion of your degree with as much of the data analysis done as possible.

When you are writing you want to focus 100% on the production of words on a page.

Depending on the topic and depth of study, it can take anywhere from six weeks to two or three months just to complete the first draft.

This is followed by further revisions and edits before finalizing the dissertation.

My 8 tips on how to write a thesis or dissertation in two months

Writing a thesis or dissertation in two months can be a daunting task, but it is certainly possible. This assumes that you have all of the data analysis done and you are literally just writing up what you have found.

Here are eight tips that can help you finish writing your thesis in 30 days:

• Start by breaking up the task into manageable chunks and set deadlines for each stage of the process. This will make it easier to stay on track and not become overwhelmed by the whole project.
• Make sure to give yourself enough time to do a thorough literature review, as this is an important part of any thesis or dissertation. Many people have already completed the literature review in the early stages of their graduate degree. Revisit and use as much of this literature review is possible and add the research from recent years.
• Write your first draft as quickly as possible; don’t worry too much about grammar and spelling right now, that comes later. It is all about getting the words out onto the page as quickly as possible.
• Set aside some time every day for writing your thesis; even if it’s only an hour or two, this will help you stay focused and motivated throughout the entire writing process. I used to work in two hour blocks. I was able to squeeze three of these in a day which meant I got a lot of writing done.
• Don’t forget to use helpful tools like Grammarly to ensure the quality of your work is at its highest level before submitting it for review.
• Take regular breaks during your writing sessions; this will help you stay fresh and focused on what needs to be done next. I used to take a break every two hours away from my screen and ensure that I refuelled with good food and caffeine.
• Seek feedback from other PhD students or experts in your field; getting constructive criticism can help you improve the quality of your thesis significantly before submitting. However, do not allow people to sit on the draft for ages. We need a quick turnaround if we are going to complete your thesis in two months.
• Finally, plan ahead and stick to deadlines; this will help keep you on track with completing your thesis in a month’s time!

If you want to know more about how to finish a masters thesis in two months check out my other video where I show you the unglamorous trues about writing a thesis.

Understanding what you are going into and what is likely to happen is half the battle.

If you want to know more about how long a Masters’s thesis and PhD dissertation is you can check out my other articles:

• How Long is a Masters Thesis? [Your writing guide]
• How long is a PhD dissertation? [Data by field]
• Is writing a masters thesis hard? Tips on how to write a thesis

What are the common structures of a Masters’s thesis?

The common structure of a thesis or dissertation usually includes:

• the main text,
• literature review,
• methodology,
• results and discussions
• conclusions

Depending on the school and field of study, there may be additional elements such as appendices.

Generally speaking, the first step in writing a thesis or dissertation is to create a literature review that assesses relevant academic sources related to the topic at hand. This is typically done in the early stages of your research project so you can reuse many parts of your literature review in your thesis. Just make sure you update it with new information.

Then, the methodology section outlines how research was conducted and what methods were used.

The main text presents your findings and conclusions based on your research and the final part of the thesis is to summarise everything you have just written in an abstract.

Each section must be written with clarity and accuracy in order to be accepted by graduate school. However, initially you only have to worry about getting your ideas out onto the page – you can refine them for clarity and accuracy in the editing stage.

Here are all of the sections of a typical master’s thesis and how to write them quickly.

Introduction/literature review

The introduction and literature review are an important part of any academic paper. It outlines the topic, provides background information, and introduces the research question.

The introduction is typically the first section of a paper and should explain the general context and importance of the research being undertaken.

The literature review follows the introduction and provides an overview of relevant previous studies, theories, or debates related to the paper’s research question.

This section may include summaries of key articles or books that have been published on the topic, as well as alternative perspectives and arguments.

A strong literature review will provide a comprehensive summary of prior work while also identifying gaps in knowledge that can be addressed by the current study.

Reuse your literature review from the early stages of your project and update it with more recent publications.

Methodology in a thesis

this is the part of the thesis which details the methods used in researching and writing the paper.

The methodology should include information on how data was collected, analyzed, and interpreted.

I quite often like to start with the methodology because it feels like I am making a lot of progress whilst it being a relatively easy to write.

Feel free to look at other people’s theses that have used the same techniques and follow a similar format that they used. It is common for research groups to share their methodology sections with each other including any schematics required to describe your research process.

You can republish these as long as you reference the appropriate studies and people.

It can also explain why certain methods were chosen over others and provide justification for any assumptions made during the research process.

Results and discussion

Results and discussion provide a platform to present the findings of a research study.

They are essential components of any research paper as they provide an opportunity to analyze and interpret the data collected during the study.

Results typically include descriptive statistics, tables, figures, or graphs that display the main outcomes of the research.

These are what you should place under the headings first.

Create a story with the figures and tables you have already created throughout your research. If you haven’t done them already, create the figures and tables that display your data before writing.

The discussion section should explain how these results relate to prior studies and answer the original research question posed in the introduction.

It should also discuss any limitations or unexpected findings that emerged from the study, as well as potential implications for future research.

Conclusions in a thesis

Conclusions in a thesis are important because they provide readers with a final summary of the main points and themes discussed throughout the thesis.

The conclusion should not introduce any new information, but rather draw on existing evidence to summarize the overall argument presented in the thesis.

It should also reiterate the main points of the paper and include implications for further study or action that could be taken based on the findings.

Conclusions should be written in clear language, using strong arguments and evidence to support their claims.

It is really important to avoid making broad generalizations or unsubstantiated statements in one’s conclusions as this could weaken an otherwise sound argument.

The abstract of a thesis

The abstract of a thesis is a concise summary of the contents of the entire thesis.

And it should be written as one of the last parts of your thesis.

It should give an overview of all the major aspects discussed in the thesis, such as the research question, methodology, findings and conclusions.

The aim of an abstract is to give potential readers a clear idea of what the full dissertation contains without having to read it word for word.

An effective abstract should be concise and self-contained; it should be able to stand alone without needing any explanation or clarification from outside sources.

It should provide enough detail so that readers can determine whether they have an interest in reading the full dissertation.

Writing motivation

If you want to know more about how to increase your writing motivation check out my other video below.

Wrapping up

this article has been through everything you need to know about if you can write a Masters thesis in two months.

It is completely doable as long as you have all of the appropriate data and figures ready and you are committed to writing consistently throughout the two months.

Another really important part of completing your master’s thesis on time is getting buy in from your supervisors so that they return any drafts as quickly as possible.

Work diligently and consistently and in no doubt that you will be able to finish your master’s thesis in two months.

Dr Andrew Stapleton has a Masters and PhD in Chemistry from the UK and Australia. He has many years of research experience and has worked as a Postdoctoral Fellow and Associate at a number of Universities. Although having secured funding for his own research, he left academia to help others with his YouTube channel all about the inner workings of academia and how to make it work for you.

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How to Write a Research Paper in a Month?

How to write a research paper in a month: a step-by-step guide with timeline.

Table of contents

Step 1: choose an engaging topic (days 1-2):, step 2: perform in-depth research (days 3-8):, step 3: develop a solid thesis statement (day 9):, step 4: create an outline (days 10-11):, step 5: write the first draft (days 12-23):, step 6: revise and edit (days 24-25):, step 7: seek feedback and revise again (days 26-27):, step 8: proofread and finalize (days 28-29):, step 9: write the abstract and introduction (day 30):, 10 tips to write a research paper in a month.

Writing a research paper is one of the challenging tasks in research, but with proper planning and organization, it can be accomplished within a month. While the timeline may seem tight, this article will guide you through a step-by-step procedure to efficiently write a research paper in just 30 days. By following this timeline strictly, one can successfully navigate through the research process and produce a high-quality paper .

Learn how to write a research paper in just one month with our comprehensive step-by-step guide. This timeline-based approach will help you manage your time effectively and achieve efficient results. Discover research tips, writing techniques, and valuable strategies to stay organized throughout the process. Enhance your research productivity and successfully complete your paper within the given deadline.

• Selecting an intriguing and research-worthy topic is the first crucial step.
• Spend some time brainstorming ideas, exploring academic journals, and consulting your professor or advisor.
• Ensure your topic is specific, manageable, and aligns with your field of study.
• Dedicate a significant portion of time to conducting thorough research.
• Utilize academic databases, online libraries, and reputable sources to gather relevant information.
• Make sure to take detailed notes and organize your sources using a citation management tool such as EndNote or Zotero.

Top 5 Free Reference Management Software for Research

• Based on your research, craft a clear and concise thesis statement that summarizes the main argument or focus of your paper.
• Your thesis statement should be specific and supportable with evidence from your research.
• Construct a well-organized outline that serves as a roadmap for your paper .
• Divide your research into sections and sub-sections, ensuring a logical flow of ideas.
• This step will help you maintain coherence throughout the writing process.
• Begin writing your paper based on the outline you created.
• Aim to complete a specific number of pages or sections each day, keeping in mind the deadline.
• Focus on expressing your ideas and arguments clearly, avoiding perfectionism during this initial draft.
• Once the first draft is complete, take a break for a day to gain a fresh perspective.
• Return to your paper and start revising it critically.
• Pay attention to sentence structure, grammar , and clarity.
• Eliminate any unnecessary information and ensure that your arguments are supported by evidence.
• Share your paper with peers , professors, and experts to obtain valuable feedback.
• Consider their suggestions and incorporate necessary changes into your paper.
• This step helps improve the overall quality of your work and ensures it meets the required standards.
• Proofread your paper meticulously, checking for spelling errors, typos, and formatting inconsistencies.
• Ensure that your paper adheres to the specified citation style (APA, MLA, etc.).
• Verify that your references are accurately cited and cross-checked with your citation management tool.
• Craft a concise abstract that summarizes the key points of your paper.
• Then, write an engaging introduction that introduces the topic, provides background information, and presents your thesis statement.
• These sections should capture the reader’s attention and provide a clear context for your research.
• Finally, submit the paper to a reputed journal.
• Plan your time: Create a realistic timeline that outlines the tasks you need to complete at each stage of the research paper writing process.
• Select a focused topic: Choose a research topic that is manageable and aligns with your interests and available resources.
• Conduct efficient research: Utilize online databases, academic journals, and credible sources to gather relevant information quickly. Take organized notes to streamline your writing process.
• Develop a strong thesis statement: Formulate a clear and concise thesis statement that outlines the main argument or objective of your research paper.
• Create an outline: Structure your research paper by creating a detailed outline that includes the introduction, main body paragraphs, and conclusion. This will help you maintain a logical flow throughout your writing.
• Break it down into smaller tasks: Divide your research paper into smaller, manageable tasks such as literature review, data analysis, and drafting different sections. This approach will make the writing process less overwhelming.
• Stay focused and organized: Maintain a distraction-free work environment, organize your research materials, and keep track of your sources to save time when citing references.
• Write regularly: Set aside dedicated time each day for writing. Even if it’s just a small portion of your paper, consistent progress will help you stay on track.
• Edit and revise: Allocate time for editing and proofreading your research paper. Check for clarity, coherence, grammar, and spelling errors to ensure a polished final product.
• Seek feedback: Share your draft with peers, professors, or writing centers for valuable feedback. Incorporate suggestions and refine your paper further for a well-rounded research outcome.

By following these tips, you can effectively write a research paper within a month while maintaining a high standard of quality and academic integrity.

Conclusion:

Writing a research paper within a month is an achievable goal if you follow a systematic approach. By allocating time to each stage of the process, from topic selection to final proofreading, you can efficiently complete a well-researched and well-written paper. Always stay focused, organize your thoughts, seek feedback, and revise your work. With determination and proper planning, you can produce a high-quality research paper that contributes to your field of study. Happy researching!

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Finishing your PhD thesis: 15 top tips from those in the know

Trying to complete a PhD thesis in time for the October deadline? We share some advice on getting over that final hurdle

• The key to a successful PhD thesis? Write in your own voice

Many PhD students are now in the final throes of writing their thesis. Turning years of research into a single, coherent piece of work can be tough, so we asked for tips from supervisors and recent PhD graduates. We were inundated with tweets and emails – and @AcademiaObscura helpfully created a Storify of the tweets. Below is a selection of the best tips.

1) Make sure you meet the PhD requirements for your institution “PhD students and their supervisors often presume things without checking. One supervisor told his student that a PhD was about 300 pages long so he wrote 300 pages. Unfortunately the supervisor had meant double-spaced, and the student had written single-spaced. Getting rid of 40,000 extra words with two weeks to go is not recommended.” ( Hannah Farrimond, lecturer in medical sociology, Exeter University)

2) Keep perspective “Everyone wants their thesis to be amazing, their magnum opus. But your most important work will come later. Think of your PhD as an apprenticeship. Your peers are unlikely to read your thesis and judge you on it. They are more likely to read any papers (articles, chapters, books) that result from it.” ( Dean D’Souza, PhD in cognitive neuroscience, Birkbeck, University of London)

3) Write the introduction last “Writing the introduction and conclusion together will help to tie up the thesis together, so save it for the end.” ( Ashish Jaiswal, PhD in business education, University of Oxford)

4) Use apps “ Trello is a project management tool (available as a smartphone app) which allows you to create ‘boards’ on which to pin all of your outstanding tasks, deadlines, and ideas. It allows you to make checklists too so you know that all of your important stuff is listed and to-hand, meaning you can focus on one thing at a time. It’s satisfying to move notes into the ‘done’ column too.” ( Lucy Irving, PhD in psychology, Middlesex University)

5) Address the unanswered questions “There will always be unanswered questions – don’t try to ignore or, even worse, obfuscate them. On the contrary, actively draw attention to them; identify them in your conclusion as areas for further investigation. Your PhD viva will go badly if you’ve attempted to disregard or evade the unresolved issues that your thesis has inevitably opened up.” ( Michael Perfect, PhD in English literature, University of Cambridge)

6) Buy your own laser printer “A basic monochrome laser printer that can print duplex (two-sided) can be bought online for less than £100, with off-brand replacement toners available for about £30 a pop. Repeatedly reprinting and editing draft thesis chapters has two very helpful functions. Firstly, it takes your work off the screen and onto paper, which is usually easier to proof. Secondly, it gives you a legitimate excuse to get away from your desk.” ( James Brown, PhD in architectural education, Queen’s University Belfast)

7) Checking is important “On days when your brain is too tired to write, check quotations, bibliography etc so you’re still making progress.” ( Julia Wright, professor of English at Dalhousie University, Canada)

8) Get feedback on the whole thesis “We often get feedback on individual chapters but plan to get feedback from your supervisor on the PhD as a whole to make sure it all hangs together nicely.” ( Mel Rohse, PhD in peace studies, University of Bradford)

9) Make sure you know when it will end “Sometimes supervisors use optimistic words such as ‘You are nearly there!’ Ask them to be specific. Are you three months away, or do you have six months’ worth of work? Or is it just a month’s load?” ( Rifat Mahbub, PhD in women’s studies, University of York)

10) Prepare for the viva “Don’t just focus on the thesis – the viva is very important too and examiners’ opinions can change following a successful viva. Remember that you are the expert in your specific field, not the examiners, and ask your supervisor to arrange a mock viva if practically possible.” ( Christine Jones , head of school of Welsh and bilingual studies, University of Wales Trinity St David)

11) Develop your own style “Take into account everything your supervisor has said, attend to their suggestions about revisions to your work but also be true to your own style of writing. What I found constructive was paying attention to the work of novelists I enjoy reading. It may seem that their style has nothing to do with your own field of research, but this does not matter. You can still absorb something of how they write and what makes it effective, compelling and believable.” ( Sarah Skyrme, PhD in sociology, Newcastle University)

12) Remember that more is not always better “A PhD thesis is not a race to the highest page count; don’t waste time padding.” ( Francis Woodhouse, PhD in mathematical biology, University of Cambridge)

13) Get a buddy “Find a colleague, your partner, a friend who is willing to support you. Share with them your milestones and goals, and agree to be accountable to them. This doesn’t mean they get to hassle or nag you, it just means someone else knows what you’re up to, and can help to check if your planning is realistic and achievable.” ( Cassandra Steer, PhD in criminology, University of Amsterdam)

14) Don’t pursue perfectionism “Remember that a PhD doesn’t have to be a masterpiece. Nothing more self-crippling than perfectionism.” ( Nathan Waddell, lecturer in modernist literature, Nottingham University )

15) Look after yourself “Go outside. Work outside if you can. Fresh air, trees and sunshine do wonders for what’s left of your sanity.” ( Helen Coverdale, PhD in law, LSE)

Do you have any tips to add? Share your advice in the comments below.

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Finish Your Thesis

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The Right Thesis Statement Can Save You 12 Months in Graduate School

April 5, 2018 by Dora Farkas, PhD Leave a Comment

Your Thesis Statement Can Save (or Cost) You Years in Grad School

“Do you have a thesis statement?” I asked Mike during our coaching session.

He paused, and then asked hesitantly:

“A thesis statement? I am working on my slides, not my thesis draft.”

Mike was preparing for his committee meeting to defend his thesis proposal.

He had spent weeks preparing his slides, and his biggest fear was that he wouldn’t know the answer to a committee member’s question.

Mike, like most students, didn’t want to “fail” his thesis proposal defense or be humiliated in front of his committee.

However, he spent his time making micro-adjustments to his slides, rather than defining the most important part of his presentation: his thesis statement.

There is a lot of confusion surrounding the purpose a thesis statement, and when it should be presented.

In summary, your thesis statement is the core argument of your research. 

Whether you are writing your thesis draft or presenting your work, the more concise and clear your thesis statement is, the better your audience will follow you.

In addition, the more clear you are about your thesis statement, the easier it will be for you to write your draft or prepare your slides.

If you are not sure whether you have the right thesis statement, ask yourself:

“What is the take-home message I want my audience to walk away with?”

The core argument of a well-designed manuscript or presentation can be summarized in 1-2 sentences.

Most students try to convey too many results to impress their committees.

When you bite off more than you can chew, you are penalizing yourself in two ways.

First, there is more work for you to do in researching and writing up such a broad thesis topic.

Second, a vague manuscript or presentation without focus will confuse your committee members.

They are more likely to disagree with your work, or ask for major revisions.

Your thesis statement needs to have three major components:

• Introduce the topic
• Your argument (you need to take a stand, not just regurgitate information)
• Why your audience should care

Before you dive into writing your thesis draft or presentation, define your thesis statement first:

“What am I trying to tell my audience, and why is it important?”

Once you have a clear and concise thesis statement, it will be easier to determine what information to include in draft or slides.

Don’t make the mistake of getting lost in the minutiae of your research.

Without a clear thesis statement, you may spending a lot of time writing about topics that will not make it into your final draft.

You can save yourself months, or probably years, in graduate school if you invest the time to define a clear thesis statement.

But, keep in mind that it can take some time for the right thesis statement to crystallize.

You may need to analyze your data in multiple ways, or collect additional information to fill in some gaps.

Keep in mind that the time you invest in defining the right thesis statement, will not only save you time down the road, but also stress on yourself and your family.

The best way to know what your committee is looking for is to read dissertations from students whose theses have already been approved.

How to Build Your Thesis Statement in 5 Unconventional Steps

Your thesis statement should include your argument and how you’ll prove the argument to be true.

The following 5 steps will help you to build a strong thesis statement:

Step #1: Break the rules  (after all, this is original research)

Think back to your early days in school.

The first time you wrote a thesis, you probably started with a definitive thesis statement, and then wrote your paper to back that statement up.

Perhaps your thesis statement was assigned by your teacher.

For your grad school thesis, or dissertation, I suggest you try a very different approach.

Instead of starting with a thesis statement and constructing your paper below, build your thesis from the inside out, by starting with your research question.

What is the difference between a thesis statement and a research question?

Your thesis statement is the argument you are presenting to answer your research question

Your research question defines the scope of your research.

When you begin by clarifying your research question, you can start to collect the relevant information to answer it.

Collect information to support your research question until you have all 3 components of your thesis statement:

• Your argument
• Why it is important

You don’t have to have a perfectly-formed thesis in order to write your thesis statement.

In fact, your thesis statement will be stronger if you spend some time writing your manuscript before you formulate it.

Step #2: Just get started (you are more ready than you realize)

I remember taking weeks to get started on one of my first literature reviews for grad school.

I just never seemed to have a clear idea of what I wanted to say.

I’d stare at a blank screen for a few minutes, before giving up and going back to reading more articles.

When I told one of my classmates, she laughed. “I never know what I want to say in my first draft,” she told me, “I just start writing and figure it out along the way.”

I took her advice and just started writing.

The first draft was a complete mess, but it didn’t matter.

I already had a clearer view of my point.

Even after editing that first draft, I still had plenty of material I would be able to build on for the review.

Before you even think about writing down your thesis statement, it’s okay to just start writing whatever comes to you first.

Write about your methodology, your experiments, anything where your ideas are easy to jot down. You can even just start with summarizing results, without worrying about analysis yet.

If you get stuck on an idea or a phrase, just skip over it and start writing again at a different point.

Don’t worry if your writing is chaotic or disorganized.

The goal at this stage is just to get momentum going.

Some of what you write in this first draft will probably exceed your expectations.

Most importantly, it’ll give you a clearer picture of what you want to include in your final thesis.

Step #3: Write an outline—then change it if you want!

Once you’ve started writing a bit, sit down and create an outline of your thesis.

You don’t have to go into a ton of detail, just map out the broad sections of your thesis.

You can even start with a simple table of contents instead of a full outline.

Outlines are especially helpful when you’re writing your draft in chunks that aren’t in order.

This way, the outline will remind you of what you need to cover, and make it easier to put the sections in order once the time comes.

Above all, your outline should help you, so get creative to make it as useful as possible.

When you’re deep into the writing process, expect to rearrange your outline as needed, and do whatever will make that easier or more fun.

I’m a visual person, so I actually printed out my outline and cut out each section.

I put them in order on the corkboard above my desk.

During revision, I simply moved the sections around as needed.

It made revisions easier and less daunting, and helped me to visualize the finished product.

My workspace probably looked like total chaos to anyone else, but to me it all made perfect sense.

Don’t worry about what anyone else thinks about your writing process.

As long as you are creating a coherent manuscript, you are on the right track

In fact, the best part about staying flexible with your outline, is that it will help you to get into the flow of writing.

Step #4: Focus on your core

No, I’m not talking about Pilates, although exercise is a great way to beat writer’s block!

I’m talking about your hypothesis, or your core research question.

Before you started your research, you almost certainly formulated a research question, or core hypothesis.

Go back to that core for crafting your thesis.

If writing your thesis is like building a skyscraper, your core hypothesis represents the steel beams.

Even if no one sees your research question except for you, it’s still a fundamental building-block of your thesis statement.

While your hypothesis is the foundation for your thesis, it’s important to remember that they aren’t the same thing.

A hypothesis is a supposition that is the basis for your research, that may or may not be true.

Some theses are based on a core question instead of a hypothesis.

Either way, the purpose is the same: it’s a jumping-off point for your research.

Your thesis statement is the key conclusion you’ve drawn from your research, and how you will prove that it’s true.

The results themselves are the basis of your thesis statement.

Your thesis statement will change, and probably go through several drafts and incarnations, before the final draft is done.

This is all part of the process.

Step #5: Build on what you have 

Now that you have your broad outline, your core research question, and the beginning of a first draft, it’s time to really focus on your thesis statement.

Your initial hypothesis might have been broad, and probably only included a simple assertion without a lot of context.

That’s fine!

But your thesis statement will have to do more to be effective.

When you first write down your thesis statement, don’t worry if it sounds clumsy.

You’ll have a chance to revise it later.

Think of the first draft as more of a  “statement of purpose”  than an actual thesis statement.

While it doesn’t need to sound pretty, your statement of purpose should do everything that a good thesis statement does.

This means it should make an argument, define the scope of that argument, and briefly explain how you will prove it.

Here’s a thesis statement example that does all three of these things:

“The role of middle-class women in America expanded during the Victorian Era, which is evident from reading novels, personal letters, and prescriptive texts from the era.”

It has the argument: “The role of women expanded.” It has the scope: “middle-class, in America, during the Victorian Era.”

And it includes how you’ll prove the argument: “reading novels, personal letters, and prescriptive texts.”

Once you have a thesis statement, or a statement of purpose, that includes these three points, you’ve crossed a major milestone in your thesis-writing process.

This is the core argument that should guide the rest of your writing and revising.

What’s more, a good thesis statement will help you decide what you need to include in your thesis, and what you can leave out.

Anything you include in your paper should contribute to your thesis statement in some way.

A working thesis statement will keep you on track by setting clear parameters for your argument, and ultimately finish your thesis sooner.

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