Time Management Tips for Dissertation Writing
[Decade-old and still highly relevant]
Time. How easy it is to waste time, procrastinate, and be inefficient. Yet, one could say we make the most of life by how we make the most of time. And, particularly when it comes to dissertation writing, it is important to manage time effectively and not let it travel away. By reaching the ABD stage, you already have been successful in this regard. These time management tips are intended to help you make the most of your time as you write your dissertation. Although the tips are focused on dissertation writing, some are applicable more generally to academia. Remember that only you can decide the best way to manage your time, but it is my hope that at least a couple of the tips may be useful or point you in the right direction as you set out to conquer time and your dissertation.
Planning Ahead
*Set a goal for completing your Ph.D. program and figure out your game plan accordingly. Typing up your game plan and/or noting your goals on a calendar--such as when you want drafts of chapters done--will help keep you on track, and you can modify your calendar if necessary. Consult your advisor and others as you develop your plan. Ask yourself: do you have enough funding to finish without applying to outside grants or securing employment opportunities? Of course, applying for grants and being employed is time consuming so keep that in mind as you develop your game plan.
*Start writing as early as possible. Some people prefer to begin writing after they have completed their research whereas others decide to write and research at the same time. Both approaches have their pros and cons but research can be never-ending and at some point you must stop. A good point to stop may be when you are not uncovering any new information that will change your interpretations. Yet, be aware that you most assuredly will discover additional research that you need to do once you begin the writing process. So, leave time for doing more research when you reach the writing stage. Keep in mind that it usually takes at least a year to write your dissertation; in fact, one year is considered a short amount of time.
*Allot enough time to submit drafts to your advisor and other readers, get feedback from them, and incorporate their feedback.
For the full document, go to the source: https://www.stcloudstate.edu/elhe/_files/documents/dissertation/time-management-tips.pdf