When you’re editing your own work, make sure you’ve slept on it – you’ll need fresh eyes to spot any errors. You’re likely to go through several rounds of editing, so be prepared to find plenty of support. thesis can be painful, especially when you’ve been reading the same text for months. Have you ever stared at a word for so long that it starts to look weird? Editing a Ph.D. Not only will this keep you on track, but it will also mean you’re not spending time worrying about when you might hear back from people. Work out who you need to get feedback from and give them deadlines. You’ll often find yourself collaborating with others, whose input can help you shape your work into something great. If scientific writing were a musical score, it would be for an orchestra rather than a soloist. If you’re still not feeling confident, the alternative is to write in your native language and have it translated – there are services you can use, like Elsevier’s Translation Services. thesis if English if this is the case, but there’s help available.įirst, check out what support is available at your institution: many universities have a writing center or provide training in academic writing, or you could find a mentor. And don’t forget to sleep! Busting language barriersĪlthough English is the primary language of science, it’s not all scientists’ native language. When you’re buried beneath a pile of papers that need grading, and you have dozens of emails to read, and you’re meeting with your supervisor tomorrow morning, life can seem particularly grim. Then schedule it in – try making to-do lists or keeping a planner.ĭon’t forget to take time for yourself – you can’t write a good thesis if you’re exhausted. Track your energy levels for a week and work out the best time for you to write. One such approach is to schedule your work – and play. But procrastination is common, so there are plenty of tools – even apps – to get you back on track. Whether you’re binge-watching your favorite show, dealing with the easy things on your to-do list or simply daydreaming, procrastination is an easy trap to fall into. When you’re in the midst of a long academic paper, surrounded by people with opinions and feedback and under pressure to publish, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed.īut don’t lose hope! Here are some tips to help you tackle the most common challenges you might face when writing up your Ph.D. thesis – which is likely to be the single biggest piece of written work you’ve done – presents many challenges. Avoiding the pitfalls of procrastination.

Academic writing challenge