How to make your PhD paper stand out: useful tricks
If you are writing a PhD paper, it is important to follow these useful tricks:
- First of all, you need to accept that this process will last years. You will be one with your topic, eating, sleeping, and breathing it for years. This is why it is so important that you pick a topic you are able to research well and for which you have a deep passion. If you become bored midway through, as many students are want to do with something so demanding, remind yourself of the overall goals for which you are reaching. You may want to include a motivational picture, image of your family, or a note to remind yourself in your office, binder, study space, etc…
- Start off by making a plan. Break down larger projects into smaller goals. If you have a twelve chapters that need to be covered, each of which are around ten to twenty pages, break down each chapter into a month or two, and then break that down into subsections or pages. Set up a calendar where all of these milestones can be maintained. Remember that you are expected to complete things without anyone holding your hand, and if you have made it this far, then you are clearly familiar with this idea. That being said, it is incumbent upon you to create a workable calendar feasible within the time limitations you have. If you are working with an advisor or with an editor, be sure to collaborate with them about the time line you have planned so that they are aware of when to expect certain chapters and by when you are anticipating reviewed pages in return.
- Remember that you are not expected to know everything that is related to your topic. While you will, no doubt, become an expert, you are not at all required to be familiar with every paper every published that has ever been remotely related to the topic. You are not expected to know every opinion of every author in your field. If you don’t have all of the answers, do not fret.
- Finally, remember to reward yourself. After each small accomplishment or milestone, enjoy a bowl of your favorite ice cream. Go for a walk. Watch your favorite television show. Take a break and do something to reward yourself for making it that far. This will keep your spirits high and your motivation even higher.