How to Write a Dissertation: Just Keep Writing

“Wow! Time flies when you’re… sitting in front your desk for large chunks of time several days a week…” Does that sound… frustrated? Or pessimistic? It shouldn’t - sarcasm doesn’t travel well in text format. Let me re-phrase.

WOW! Times flies when you’ve been focused and diligently chipping away at the first chapter of your dissertation.

That statement is true. Time flies and deadlines loom. It’s a fact of grad student life. In just over two weeks, I’m aiming to submit a draft of the first chapter of my dissertation to my supervisor. And I couldn’t be happier!

I won’t say that it’s been easy getting here - it’s certainly been a winding road - but in the past month, I’ve written more than 30 pages (and most of it is decent, which is a HUGE win). I still have another 10-15 left, but I can see the light at the end of the tunnel - and the week off that I plan to take before beginning Chapter 2. With that said, I thought I’d share some of the challenges and tips that I’ve used to overcome them along the way.

If nothing else, this will serve as a helpful reminder for myself over the next year as I continue to work on my dissertation

TIP #1 - BLOCK OFF DEDICATED TIME FOR YOUR WORK

I’ve talked about this before, but time-blocking (another thank you to my dear friend Kavita for this lesson) has been fundamental to the progress that I’ve been making on my dissertation. Even though the dissertation is my priority, I still have other projects and responsibilities that I’m balancing - I work part-time for the government, I’ve been preparing for the summer class that I’ll be teaching while keeping up with a super useful graduate seminar that I’ve been taking in French, I do a lot of volunteering (yes, even with COVID), and I’ve sent a paper and a couple of conference abstracts out the door. Plus, I have a life, hobbies and friends that are also important to me.

The only way that I’ve been able to balance all of these things is to set aside time that is dedicated only to my dissertation. I put it in my calendar (usually in about 4-5 hour time blocks) and turn off all of my other distractions. No emails, no texts, no Facebook messages. This time is just for me, and just for my research (I do this with all of my other projects and responsibilities too). A wise professor once told me to be furiously protective of your writing time. And I have taken that to heart.

TIP #2 -CO-WORK (OR AT LEAST VOLUNTEER TO CO-WORK) WITH OTHERS

I essentially live on Zoom now. I’ve been lucky as a member of a very active graduate student association to be able to host and attend virtual writing sessions. Several times a week, I usually co-work with at least one other person. We sign in, say hello, chat about what we’re going to be doing and then put the mic on mute and do work. I’ve even co-worked by myself… it’s not that weird.

What’s really great about co-working is the camaraderie and the accountability. We all have good and bad writing days, but it’s helpful to commiserate and to encourage one another when we hit a rough patch. In addition, it forces me to be present. Yes, no one really knows what I’m doing on my computer screen, but there’s something to be said for setting goals and being able to proudly proclaim that you’ve achieved them at the end of a call.

TIP #3 - JUST KEEP WRITING

No matter what, just keep writing. I can’t say this any more clearly or emphatically.

“I’ll never finish” - I’ve lost count of the number of times my inner voice has chirped this at me over the past month. And you know, if I didn’t keep writing, it would be right.

“My writing is sh*t” - Sigh. Yep. Some days, this is true. BUT you’d be surprised at how much of your writing is salvageable or can be moved elsewhere or added to later while simultaneously becoming more succinct. And sometimes, a sentence that you write is merely a placeholder or a prompt for next time you come back and you delete it. That’s ok too. Just. Keep. Writing.

TIP #4 - HAVE A LIFE

Have a life. Have hobbies. Hang out with friends (according to public health guidelines). Go on a date (even if it’s a virtual one). Read or write about something else. But the point is simple, whatever it is, have something and do something other than your dissertation every day.

This kept me focused - hello, time management - and sane. Without my workouts, my dog walks, my weekly Happy Hour, other meetings, and just vegging out, I think that I wouldn’t have been nearly as productive and definitely not nearly as happy.

TIP #5 - Have a theme song

Seriously. This is has been more and more helpful as my deadline approaches. Not only does it make me beyond ecstatic to hear anything by Sean Paul - but the song has an important message and pertinent lyrics.

Although the road is long, we’ll still hold on
We carry on, we’ll still stay strong
Today is long, but tomorrow will come
Hold on, hold on now now