Top Dissertation Tips
A compilation of the top dissertation tackling tips to keep your head in the game and spirits up!
Just make a start
I know this sounds silly but getting started is often the hardest and most daunting thing about writing a dissertation. As soon as you start typing away you will feel this huge weight lifting off your shoulders.
Once you start writing don’t stop (well you obviously need to stop at some point) but during your writing session just keep typing, don’t go back to correct spelling errors etc. until you have finished the section you are working on. Going back may mean you loose your train of thought, which is the last thing you need when you are on a roll.
Manage your time
Set yourself a goal to complete a certain amount of words/pages a day. Aim for approx 500–1000 words a day more if you feel able, however try not to just fluff out the content of your work in order to meet your daily targets. If you feel that you are starting to do this STOP take a break, grab a drink and a snack and come back to the work when you feel ready.
Not everyday needs to be a writing day, but for writing days aim for 5 -7 hours of writing, do not exceed 7 hours. Aim for 45 minutes of continuous writing then have a short 15 min break and come back to it. Get up and walk around during this time, if you have started your dissertation with plenty of time to spare then you will really benefit from this ability to take your time and enjoy the breaks.
Pick the perfect environment
Try to work in an uncluttered space, you may need to spread out your notes and resources however make sure your mess is an organised mess to avoid the mad panic of ‘where did that quote go?!’.
Mix up your working environment, sometimes working in the same place for days can make your mind go as stale as the air in a cramped library. Make sure you work in a non-destructive place, and try to surround yourself with others who are also working as this will motivate you to do the same. Typing your dissertation whilst your housemate catches up on the latest Made in Chelsea episode is not productive, trust me.
Get regular feedback
Make sure you turn up to your one to one’s with your lecturers, this feedback is vital, you do not want to write thousands of words only to find out you are not heading in the right direction.
Get your peers to check through your work once you complete large chunks, they will be able to pick out spelling and grammatical errors that you or spell check may of missed.
Create a good plan
Using an outline will help your dissertation stay coherent, bullet point your main subject areas for each chapter including any resources you think you will be using. Make sure you always keep your original dissertation topic/question in your mind when planning your chapters, this can change slightly as you do more research but try not to get off track from your original goal.
You don’t have to write in the correct order, if you feel in the mood to write chapter 2 one day then chapter 4 the next don’t restrict yourself, go with your writing flow.
Don’t spend to much time on your introduction if you decide to write this first as you may need to add bits in as your work develops anyway so keep it to a very rough draft at first.
Start with a positive frame of mind
Start your writing days off when you are in a happy mood, make sure you start fairly early in the day to avoid procrastination as much as possible. Get up, shower, make yourself a good breakfast like a smoothie then start your writing day. Preparing your goals for the writing day the night before will help make the day productive.
Try to enjoy this writing time, it may seem stressful when you are doing it but you will look back on it with pride and fond memories of really researching and writing a topic that you are passionate about.
