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