It's important to keep in mind that writing a dissertation is a marathon rather than a sprint and that consistency is the key to success. While frantic, all-night writing sessions might have been successful in college, they are probably not going to help your dissertation get accepted. It takes time and numerous revisions to craft complex arguments and meaningful prose. Here are four suggestions that will not only help you complete your dissertation on time, but also enhance its quality and increase the likelihood that it will be accepted.
Establish a Writing Schedule—and Get Started Early
The fact that academic work is not a 9-to-5 grind is one of its attractions. This, however, can also turn into the ideal environment for procrastination. In general, doctoral candidates perform much better when they adhere to a schedule with regular hours and rituals. You are more likely to produce high-quality work if you approach the dissertation writing and editing process as the professional endeavor that it is.
The schedule and writing times that are most effective for you are known only to you. It's possible that you work best for an hour straight before needing a 10-minute break. Perhaps you write best at night when everyone else is asleep or in the morning before the day's distractions start to set in. What matters is that you block off that time in your schedule and keep to it, regardless of what time or timing is ideal for writing your dissertation. Keep those times in your schedule sacred, and make it a point to do a little bit of writing or research each day. Using a timer is acceptable. Don't multitask, don't check Twitter or Facebook, and turn off your phone.
Accountability Works
Writing a dissertation is a solitary endeavor by its very nature. Additionally, the majority of doctoral candidates are researching complex subjects that hardly anyone else is familiar with. When you finish your doctoral coursework and begin writing your dissertation, this can cause isolation and loneliness. To achieve this, it can be very beneficial to set up specific deadlines and milestones. If major changes are required later in the dissertation writing or editing process, ask your advisor to hold you accountable to a specific schedule that will allow you plenty of time for revisions. Find another professor who is willing to be your academic taskmaster if you don't have that kind of relationship with your advisor.
Find a Healthy Balance Between Perfection and Apathy
Perfectionism is a flaw that many academics have, and it can make it difficult for them to finish their dissertations. This side of the spectrum may apply to you if you've ever told yourself, "I can't possibly write anything yet I don't know enough." When editing and formatting your dissertation, perfectionism can become especially crippling.
It's possible that other academics have cut corners or haven't given the task at hand their full intellectual attention. Some Ph.D. candidates find the final stages of their programs to be so draining that their only concern is completing their dissertations, even if doing so compromises what ought to be a rigorous process. A dissertation should not be approached with apathy because it is meant to advance the field of scholarship.
Take Part in Non-Dissertation Activities As Well
Maintaining a healthy, balanced lifestyle is crucial for a project that can take months (or even years), like writing a dissertation. Both the health of your dissertation and your mental well-being depend on it. You should schedule a time to concentrate on things other than your dissertation in order to prevent burnout. Exercise, social interaction, and hobbies all help to clear the mind and increase productivity. Don't become the patient graduate who boasts about working for the previous twelve hours in the library. This is not only unhealthy, but it will also have no positive effects on your dissertation.
Conclusion
We are aware that some components of the dissertation, including writing a literature review and interpreting the findings of statistical analysis, are intricate. A lot of students have trouble writing. So, they turn to a specialized dissertation writing service as a last resort. A compelling list of potential dissertation topics and ideas is another reason to seek professional advice. You can get help choosing your topics from our group of UK dissertation tutors.