finish your thesis faster pdf

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Dissertating Like a Distance Runner: Ten Tips for Finishing Your PhD

The above photo is of Sir Mo Farah running past Buckingham Palace into the home stretch of the London Marathon. I took the photo two days after my viva, in which I defended my PhD dissertation. Farah become a British hero when he and his training partner, Galen Rupp, won the gold and silver medals in the 10k at the London Olympic Games.

I had the honor of racing against Rupp at Nike’s Boarder Clash meet between the fastest high school distance runners in my home state of Washington and Rupp’s home state of Oregon. I’m happy to provide a link to the results and photos of our teenage selves since I beat Galen and Washington won the meet. (Note: In the results, ‘Owen’ is misspelled with the commonly added s , which I, as a fan of Jesse Owens, feel is an honor.) By the time we were running in college—Rupp for the University of Oregon and myself for the University of Washington—he was on an entirely different level. I never achieved anything close to the kind of running success Rupp has had. Yet, for most of us mortals, the real value in athletics is the character traits and principles that sports instill in us, and how those principles carry over to other aspects of life. Here I want to share ten principles that the sport of distance running teaches, which I found to be quite transferrable to writing my doctoral dissertation.

To provide some personal context, I began as a doctoral researcher at the University of Birmingham in 2014. At that time my grandparents, who helped my single father raise my sister and me, continued their ongoing struggle with my Grandfather’s Alzheimer’s. It was becoming increasingly apparent that they would benefit from having my wife and I nearby. So, in 2015 we moved to my hometown of Yakima, Washington. That fall I began a 2/2 teaching load at a small university on the Yakama Nation Reservation as I continued to write my dissertation. Since finishing my PhD four years ago, in 2018, I have published one book , five research articles , and two edited volume chapters related in various ways to my dissertation. As someone living in rural Eastern Washington, who is a first-gen college grad, I had to find ways to stay self-motivated and to keep chipping away at my academic work. I found the following principles that I learned through distance running very helpful.

(1) Establish community . There are various explanations, some of which border on superstitious, for why Kenyan distance runners have been so dominant. Yet one factor is certainly the running community great Kenyan distance runners benefit from at their elite training camps, as discussed in Train Hard, Win Easy: The Kenyan Way . Having a community that values distance running can compel each member of the community to pursue athletic excellence over a long period of time. The same can be said for academic work. Many doctoral researchers have built-in community in their university departments, but for various reasons this is not true for everyone. Thankfully, alternative ways to establish community have never been easier, predominantly due to technology.

Since my dissertation applied Aristotelian causation and neo-Thomistic hylomorphism to mental causation and neural correlates of consciousness, I found it immensely helpful to meet consistently with neuroscientist, Christof Koch, and philosopher of mind, Mihretu Guta. Mihretu does work on the philosophy of consciousness and Christof propelled the dawn of the neurobiology of consciousness with Francis Crick . Though Mihretu lives in Southern California, we met monthly through Skype, and I would drive over the Cascade Mountains once a month to meet with Christof in Seattle. As my dissertation examiner, Anna Marmodoro, once reminded me: the world is small—it’s easier than ever before to connect with other researchers.

It can also be helpful to keep in mind that your community can be large or small. As some athletes train in large camps consisting of many runners, others have small training groups, such as the three Ingebrigtsen brothers . Likewise, your community could be a whole philosophy department or several close friends. You can also mix it up. As an introvert, I enjoyed my relatively small consistent community, but I also benefitted from attending annual regional philosophy conferences where I could see the same folks each year. And I especially enjoyed developing relationships with other international researchers interested in Aristotelian philosophy of mind at a summer school hosted by the University of Oxford in Naples, which Marmodoro directed. For a brief period, we all stayed in a small villa and talked about hylomorphism all day, each day, while enjoying delicious Italian food.

Whatever your community looks like, whatever shape it takes, what matters is that you’re encouraged toward accomplishing your academic goal.

(2) Know your goal. Like writing a dissertation, becoming a good distance runner requires a lot of tedious and monotonous work. If you don’t have a clear goal of what you want to achieve, you won’t get up early, lace up your running shoes, and enter the frosty morning air as you take the first of many steps in your morning run. There are, after all, more enticing and perhaps even more pressing things to do. Similarly, if you don’t have a clear goal of when you want to finish your dissertation, it is easy to put off your daily writing for another day, which can easily become more distant into the future.

(3) Be realistic about your goal . While it is important to have a clear goal as a distance runner and as a doctoral researcher, it is important for your goal to be realistic. This means your goal should take into account the fact that you are human and therefore have both particular strengths and limitations. Everyone enters the sport of distance running with different strengths and weaknesses. When Diddy ran the city it would have been unrealistic for him to try to break the two-hour barrier in the marathon, as Eliud Kipchoge did . If Diddy made that his goal, he probably would have lost all hope in the first mile of the marathon and never finished. Because he set a more realistic goal of breaking four hours, not two hours, he paced himself accordingly and actually finished.

The parent of two young children who is teaching part-time can certainly finish a dissertation. But the parent will have a greater likelihood of doing so with a reasonable goal that fits that individual’s strengths and limitations. If the parent expects to finish on the same timescale as someone who is single with no children nor teaching responsibilities, this will likely lead to disappointment and less motivation in the middle of the process. Motivation will remain higher, and correspondingly so will productivity that is fueled by motivation, if one’s goal is realistic and achievable.

Another element of having a realistic goal is being willing to adapt the goal as your circumstances change. Sometimes a runner might enter a race expecting to place in the top five and midway through the race realize that she has a great chance of winning (consider, for example, Des Linden’s victory at the Boston Marathon ). At that point, it would be wise to revise one’s goal to be ‘win the race’ rather than simply placing in the top five. At other times, a runner might expect to win the race or be on the podium and midway realize that is no longer possible. Yet, if she is nevertheless within striking distance of placing in the top five, then she can make that her new goal, which is realistic given her current situation and will therefore sustain her motivation to the finish line. Sara Hall, who could have and wanted to crack the top three, held on for fifth at the World Championships marathon because she adjusted her goal midrace.

The PhD candidate who initially plans to finish her dissertation in three years but then finds herself in the midst of a pandemic or dealing with a medical issue or a family crisis may not need to give up on her goal of finishing her dissertation. Perhaps, she only needs to revise her goal so that it allows more time, so she finishes in five years rather than three. A PhD finished in five years is certainly more valuable than no PhD.

(4) Know why you want to achieve your goal . My high school cross-country coach, Mr. Steiner, once gave me a book about distance running entitled “Motivation is the Name of the Game.” It is one of those books you don’t really need to read because the main takeaway is in the title. Distance running requires much-delayed gratification—you must do many things that are not intrinsically enjoyable (such as running itself, ice baths, going to bed early, etc.) in order to achieve success. If you don’t have a solid reason for why you want to achieve your running goal, you won’t do the numerous things you do not want to do but must do to achieve your goal. The same is true for finishing a PhD. Therefore, it is important to know the reason(s) why you want to finish your dissertation and why you want a PhD.

As a side note, it can also be immensely helpful to choose a dissertation topic that you are personally very interested in, rather than a topic that will simply make you more employable. Of course, being employable is something many of us must consider. Yet, if you pick a topic that is so boring to you that you have significant difficulty finding the motivation to finish your dissertation, then picking an “employable dissertation topic” will be anything but employable.

(5) Prioritize your goal . “Be selfish” were the words of exhortation my college cross-country team heard from our coaches before we returned home for Christmas break. As someone who teaches ethics courses, I feel compelled to clarify that “be selfish” is not typically good advice. However, to be fair to my coaches, the realistic point they were trying to convey was that at home we would be surrounded by family and friends who may not fully understand our running goals and what it takes to accomplish them. For example, during my first Christmas break home from college, I was trying to run eighty miles per week. Because I was trying to fit these miles into my social schedule without much compromise, many of these miles were run in freezing temps, in the dark, on concrete sidewalks with streetlights, rather than dirt trails. After returning to campus following the holidays, I raced my first indoor track race with a terribly sore groin, which an MRI scan soon revealed was due to a stress fracture in my femur. I learned the hard way that I have limits to what I can do, which entails I must say “no thanks” to some invitations, even though that may appear selfish to some.

A PhD researcher writing a dissertation has a substantial goal before her. Yet, many people writing a dissertation have additional responsibilities, such as teaching, being a loving spouse, a faithful friend, or a present parent. As I was teaching while writing my dissertation, I often heard the mantra “put students first.” Yet, I knew if I prioritized my current students over and above finishing my dissertation, I would, like many, never finish my dissertation. However, I knew it would be best for my future students to be taught by an expert who has earned a PhD. So, I put my future students first by prioritizing finishing my PhD . This meant that I had to limit the teaching responsibilities I took on. Now, my current students are benefitting from my decision, as they are taught by an expert in my field.

While prioritizing your dissertation can mean putting it above some things in life, it also means putting it below other things. A friend once told me he would fail in a lot of areas in life before he fails as a father, which is often what it means to practically prioritize one goal above another. Prioritizing family and close friendships need not mean that you say ‘yes’ to every request, but that you intentionally build consistent time into your schedule to foster relationships with the people closest to you. For me, this practically meant not working past 6:00pm on weekdays and taking weekends off to hang out with family and friends. This relieved pressure, because I knew that if something went eschew with my plan to finish my PhD, I would still have the people in my life who I care most about. I could then work toward my goal without undue anxiety about the possibility of failing and the loss that would entail. I was positively motivated by the likely prospect that I would, in time, finish my PhD, and be able to celebrate it with others who supported me along the way.

(6) Just start writing . Yesterday morning, it was five degrees below freezing when I did my morning run. I wanted to skip my run and go straight to my heated office. So, I employed a veteran distance running trick to successfully finish my run. I went out the door and just started running. That is the hardest part, and once I do it, 99.9% of the time I finish my run.

You may not know what exactly you think about a specific topic in the chapter you need to write, nor what you are going to write each day. But perhaps the most simple and helpful dissertation advice I ever received was from David Horner, who earned his doctorate in philosophy from the University of Oxford. He told me: “just start writing.” Sometimes PhD researchers think they must have all their ideas solidified in their mind before they start writing their dissertation. In fact, writing your dissertation can actually help clarify what you think. So “just start writing” is not only simple but also sage advice.

(7) Never write a dissertation . No great marathoner focuses on running 26.2 miles. Great distance runners are masters of breaking up major goals into smaller goals and then focusing on accomplishing one small goal at a time, until they have achieved the major goal. Philosophers can understand this easily, as we take small, calculated steps through minor premises that support major premises to arrive at an overall conclusion in an argument.

Contained within each chapter of a dissertation is a premise(s) in an overall argument and individual sections can contain sub-premises supporting the major premise of each chapter. When you first start out as a doctoral researcher working on your dissertation, you have to construct an outline of your dissertation that maps out the various chapters and how they will relate to your overall conclusion. Once you have that outline in place, keep it in the back of your mind. But do not focus on writing the whole, which would be overwhelming and discouraging. Rather, focus on writing whichever chapter you are working on. The fastest American marathoner, Ryan Hall, wrote a book that sums up the only way to run long distances in the title Run the Mile You’re In . And Galen Rupp discusses in this interview how he mentally breaks up a marathon into segments and focuses on just finishing one segment at a time. Whatever chapter you’re writing, make it your goal to write that chapter. Once you’ve accomplished that goal, set a new goal: write the next chapter. Repeat that process several times and you will be halfway through your dissertation. Repeat the process a few more times, and you will be done.

By the time you have finished a master’s degree, you have written many chapter-length papers. To finish a dissertation, you essentially write about eight interconnected papers, one at a time, just as you have done many times before. If you just write the chapter (which you could call a “paper” if that feels like a lighter load) you’re writing, before you know it, you will have written a dissertation.

(8) Harness the power of habits . Becoming a great distance runner requires running an inordinate number of miles, which no one has the willpower to do. The best marathoners in the world regularly run well over one hundred miles a week, in addition to stretching, lifting weights, taking ice baths, and eating healthy. Not even the most tough-minded distance runner has the gumption to make all the individual decisions that would be required in order to get out the door for every run and climb into every ice bath apart from the development of habits. The most reliable way around each distance runner’s weakness of will, or akrasia , is developing and employing habits. The same can be true for writing.

If you simply try to write a little bit each weekday around the same time, you will develop a habit of writing at that time each day. Once you have that habit, the decision to write each weekday at that time will require less and less willpower over time. Eventually, it will take some willpower to not write at that time. I have found it helpful to develop the routine of freewriting for a few minutes just before starting my daily writing session of thirty minutes during which I write new content, before working on editing or revising existing content for about thirty minutes. My routine helped me develop the daily habit of writing, which removes the daily decision to write, as I “just do it” (to use Nike’s famous line) each day.

I have also found it helpful to divide my days up according to routines. As a morning person, I do well writing and researching in the morning, doing teaching prep and teaching during the middle of the day, and then doing mundane tasks such as email at the end of the day.

(9) Write for today and for tomorrow . Successful distance runners train for two reasons. One reason—to win upcoming races—is obvious. However, in addition to training for upcoming races, the successful distance runner trains today for the training that they want to be capable of months and years ahead. You cannot simply jump into running eighty, ninety, or one-hundred-mile weeks. It takes time to condition your body to sustain the stress of running high mileage weeks. A runner must have a long-term perspective and plan ahead as she works toward her immediate goals on the way to achieving her long-term goals. Similarly, for the PhD researcher, writing a dissertation lays the groundwork for future success.

For one, if the PhD candidate develops healthy, sustainable, productive habits while writing a dissertation, these habits can be continued once they land an academic job. It is no secret that the initial years on the job market, or in a new academic position, can be just as (or more) challenging than finishing a PhD. Effective habits developed while writing a dissertation can be invaluable during such seasons, allowing one to continue researching and writing even with more responsibilities and less time.

It is also worth noting that there is a sense in which research writing becomes easier, as one becomes accustomed to the work. A distance runner who has been running for decades, logging thousands of miles throughout their career, can run relatively fast without much effort. For example, my college roommate, Travis Boyd, decided to set the world record for running a half marathon pushing a baby stroller nearly a decade after we ran for the University of Washington. His training was no longer what it once was during our collegiate days. Nevertheless, his past training made it much easier for him to set the record, even though his focus had shifted to his full-time business career and being a present husband and father of two. I once asked my doctoral supervisors, Nikk Effingham and Jussi Suikkanen, how they were able to publish so much. They basically said it gets easier, as the work you have done in the past contributes to your future publications. Granted, not everyone is going to finish their PhD and then become a research super human like Liz Jackson , who finished her PhD in 2019, and published four articles that same year, three the next, and six the following year. Nevertheless, writing and publishing does become easier as you gain years of experience.

(10) Go running . As Cal Newport discusses in Deep Work , having solid boundaries around the time we work is conducive for highly effective academic work. And there is nothing more refreshing while dissertating than an athletic hobby with cognitive benefits . So, perhaps the best way to dissertate like a distance runner is to stop writing and go for a run.

Acknowledgments : Thanks are due to Aryn Owen and Jaden Anderson for their constructive feedback on a prior draft of this post.

• Matthew Owen

Matthew Owen (PhD, University of Birmingham) is a faculty member in the philosophy department at Yakima Valley College in Washington State. He is also an affiliate faculty member at the Center for Consciousness Science, University of Michigan. Matthew’s latest book is Measuring the Immeasurable Mind: Where Contemporary Neuroscience Meets the Aristotelian Tradition .

• Dissertating
• Finishing your PhD
• graduate students
• Sabrina D. MisirHiralall

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5 Tips on How to Finish your PhD Thesis in 8 Weeks

For many PhD students, the journey to complete their thesis can feel like running a never-ending marathon. Fortunately, with the right strategies and motivation, you can tackle the task of finishing your thesis in less than 8 weeks. In this blog post, we’ll give you 5 tips that will help you power through to the finish line. So lace up and get ready—your PhD is almost complete!

1. Establishing a Time Management Plan

For successful completion of a thesis, it is essential to establish a structured and efficient time management plan. Start by creating a timeline that is tailored to the topic being researched and goals that need to be met by the end of the eight-week period. Identify the tasks and steps that are needed to be completed including data collection, analysis, forming arguments, outlining main ideas, writing drafts and proofreading and make sure they fit logically in the timeline so you can refer back to it while completing the work.

Organize your workspace to help you stay on task. Small organizational tools like sticky notes or index cards can help quickly direct tasks when needed. Working with limited time also requires perseverance; stay focused on short-term goals rather than overwhelm yourself with long-term ones. Lastly, consider limiting distractions such as checking emails or messages or frequent social media breaks during your focus period; create designated off time for these activities which will help you allocate a more realistic amount of time for research and writing.

2. Utilizing Available Resources

A doctoral thesis can often seem like a mammoth task that is impossible to finish in 8 weeks or less. However, with careful planning, use of available resources and discipline, it is possible to complete an impressive thesis in a short period of time. In order to achieve this goal, here are five valuable tips:

• Take advantage of all the available resources: Many universities offer resources such as dedicated staff from the academic writing team and library services that can help reduce the amount of work you need to do. Make sure you’re taking advantage of what’s there so you don’t have to reinvent the wheel.
• Utilize online research platforms: Technology has made researching much easier and faster than ever before. Utilizing online research tools such as Google Scholar , Academic Search Engine Optimizer (SEO) and others will allow you to quickly find quality sources for your paper without spending time in libraries or digging through bookshelves for knowledge.
• Create a timeline: You’ll need an organized plan in order to write an effective dissertation in 8 weeks or less. Creating a timeline will help break up the work into manageable chunks that won’t overwhelm you and will make sure you stay on track throughout the writing process
• Stay organized with folders: Keeping folders for each section of your dissertation will help manage your content so it is easier for you to focus on writing when needed instead of rummaging through documents trying to locate something specific during key moments when time is precious

3. Developing a Writing Schedule

Developing a writing schedule is one of the most important things you can do when attempting to finish your PhD thesis in a short amount of time. This schedule should include all the components of writing and revision, from researching to creating an outline, drafting to editing. It should also account for activities like taking breaks and going for short walks or getting enough sleep.

Creating a well-defined timeline gives you something tangible that you can set goals around and helps ensure that your workflow is consistent, focused and maintained throughout your allotted time frame. Generally speaking, it’s wise to plan out how many hours per day you will devote to the process and how long each task will take. For example, if research takes two hours, drafting takes three hours and editing takes one hour, block out six hours in your schedule.

It helps if you find an accountability partner who can help keep you consistent in completing these tasks. Communication with your mentor/supervisor can also ensure that you’re staying on track. Creating deadlines and clear objectives for every task helps you stay focused until completion, thus staying ahead of schedule with your dissertation writing services .

Keep in mind that any unforeseen changes in your work can affect this timeline; plan extra time into each part of the process for unexpected setbacks or distractions. Additionally, give yourself permission to adjust tasks as needed when necessary — this could include taking breaks or revisiting topics that you did not fully understand previously — so that your progress stays on track as best it can.

4. Eliminating Distractions

First, set aside an uninterrupted period of time where you will only be working on your thesis and nothing else. Make sure that your study space is distraction-free and comfortable. If you feel too comfortable, like in bed or on the sofa, do not work there since working in those environments may tempt you to take naps instead of staying productive. Establish a strict routine where you set limits over Internet use, TV viewing and other activities that can easily distract you from concentrating on your work. Give yourself regular breaks and reward yourself after completing tasks or chapters. Create a timeline and plan when tasks need to be completed so that you don’t fall behind schedule. You can also seek help from writing professionals if you feel overwhelmed at any point in the process.

5. Completing the Final Touches

Once you have finished the bulk of your PhD thesis writing, there are several fine-tuning aspects that need to be considered in order to make sure that your paper is a polished and professional piece of work. This can often be the most time-consuming part of the process, but it is essential for submitting a high-quality document for examination. Here are five tips that may help you make those final touches:

• Proofread thoroughly: Make sure to check for grammar, spelling, punctuation and typos; consistently run spell checks and proofread multiple times. If possible, ask someone else to review your document as well.
• Neaten up the formatting: Pay attention to layout and make sure all pages are consistent with regard to font type, margin size and structure of headings/subheadings; include page numbers as well as references at the end of each section or chapter.
• Consider adding figures/diagrams: Review your text again; if appropriate – visuals (e.g. diagrams) can often assist in explaining complicated topics/concepts more succinctly than written text alone – though ensure accuracy where appropriate in any accompanying text as sometimes images take readers away from the main message being relayed.
• Update your existing bibliography: Add new sources gathered during data analysis or from other recent research (if applicable) – be precise with any references added; include full source details without fail so that readers can find information easily if desired; it may help to use a referencing software like EndNote or Zotero in order to save time when updating your bibliography entries quickly.
• Check file format specifications: It is essential that any specified format across all sections of your thesis adheres meticulously – these might include saving all pages on A4 paper size using appropriate margins (eg 12 pt Times New Roman); save documents correctly (.docx or .pdf) when sending files electronically; request advice on hard copy submission methods too if required – eg providing a printed copy versus binding specifics etc).

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How to Keep calm and finish your dissertation on Time.pdf

It would be surprising to see ‘calm’ and ‘dissertation’ coming together in the title here since the two are often looked at as oxymorons that would never go hand in hand. We at Tutors India know that writing a dissertation is usually the final hurdle for students who’ve completed their academic study. Although the coursework that a student takes up is supposed to help you through your thesis, it hardly is the reality.

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http://www.sagepub.com/vip/james/ Writing Your Doctoral Dissertation or Thesis Faster: A Proven Map to Success E.Alana James Tracesea H. Slater Publishing November 2013 Praise for this book: "It is extremely readable and candid. As a faculty [member], I want students to know the 'real deal'. The approach offered in this book provides one that is holistic realizing that our students are people with lives that influence the dissertation process. The Tracesea sections came at the right time when I was going to ask the very same question. Multiple voices of student and faculty add a wonderful dynamic. Love the use of PowerPoint slides, which would help me tremendously in my dissertation seminar." -Gretchen McAllister, Northern Arizona University "...The organization is well done. It would allow a student to go through the process with their hand being held...in a sense." -Wesley T. Church II, University of Alabama "I really like the detail, experiences, ...

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An author with a new doctorate shares lessons learned about writing a dissertation. Lessons include (1) there are few sources to guide one on how to write a dissertation; (2) it is easier to critique research than to create research; (3) dissertation writing is an evolutionary communication process; (4) criticism is good; (5) dissertation writing produces a product; (6) hypotheses rule and methods matter most; and (7) less is more. Additionally, the author asserts that (8) writing for dissertation is an apprenticeship experience that prepares one for writing for publication.

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Of the many graduate students that start their doctoral journey, only half of them successfully complete their degree. For a majority of those who do not, not completing the dissertation process accounts for why they never graduated. This article explores the factors that contribute to successfully completing a dissertation using one graduate student's doctoral experience.

Contours & Nuances of Research & Research Methodology

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Present paper is a writeup that deals with the easy methods, tips and techniques of preparing oneself for writing a dissertation. it is in a conversational style that imparts information regarding journey of writing a dissertation.

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This paper reports the results of focus group conversations with thirty-four doctoral students enrolled in an educational leadership program. Doctoral students were asked to provide suggestions and strategies used to complete the doctoral dissertation. The results of these conversations reinforce the value of the collaborative cohort and the proactive interdependence students experienced as a result of working together. These findings highlight the need to examine how doctoral students experience the university context particularly as it relates to the dissertation phase of study.

Pradnya Tated

it refers to te thesis introduction

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20 Tips to Help You Finish Your Dissertation

I haven’t met many Ph.D. students who don’t like to write. Some may like writing more than others, but most enjoy writing—or, at least, the satisfaction of having written. Wherever you find yourself on the love-for-writing spectrum, a dissertation awaits completion, and you must finish. Here are a few tips to help you.

1. Write sooner.  The dissertation writing process can quickly become paralyzing because of its size and importance. It is a project that will be reviewed rigorously by your advisor and your committee, and your graduation depends on your successful completion and defense. Facing these realities can be daunting and tempt you to wait until you can determine that you’ve researched or thought enough about the topic. Yet, the longer you delay writing, the more difficult it will be to actually start the process. The answer to your paralysis is to start writing .  Are you unsure of your argument or not fully convinced you have done the requisite research? You may be right: your argument may not be airtight, and you may need to do more reading; but you will be able to determine to what degree these problems need attention when you start writing. Productivity begets productivity, and you will be amazed at how arguments take shape and the direction of your research is forged as you write.

2. Write continually.  So, don’t stop writing. Of course, you need to continue to read and study and take notes—I will talk about this more in a moment—but it is best if you keep the gears from grinding to a halt. Keep your mind working and your project moving. Your assignment is not to turn in a hundred pages of notes to your supervisor—you must produce a dissertation with complete sentences and paragraphs and chapters.  Keep writing.

3. Write in order to rewrite.  Writing sooner and writing continually can only happen if you aren’t consumed with perfection. Some of us are discouraged from writing because we think our first draft needs to be our final draft. But this is exactly the problem. Get your thoughts on paper and plan to go back and fix awkward sentences, poor word choices, and illogical or unsubstantiated arguments in your subsequent drafts.  Knowing that rewriting is part of the writing process will free you to write persistently, make progress, and look forward to fixing things later.

4. Spend adequate time determining your thesis and methodology.  This probably could fit in the number one slot, but I wanted to emphasize the importance writing right away. Besides, you might find that you modify your thesis and methodology slightly as you write and make progress in developing your overall argument. Nevertheless, the adage is true: form a solid thesis and methodology statement and your dissertation will “write itself.” Plan to spend some time writing and rewriting and rewriting (again) your thesis and methodology statements so that you will know where you are going and where you need to go.

5. If you get stuck, move to another section.  Developing a clear thesis and methodology will allow you to move around in your dissertation when you get stuck. Granted, we should not make a habit of avoiding difficult tasks, but there are times when it will be a more effective use of time to move to sections that will write easy. As you continue to make progress in your project and get words on paper, you will also help mitigate the panic that so often looms over your project when you get stuck and your writing ceases.

6.  Fight the urge to walk away from writing when it gets difficult.  Having encouraged you to move to another section when you get stuck, it is also important to add a balancing comment to encourage you to fight through the tough spots in your project. I don’t mean that you should force writing when it is clear that you may need to make some structural changes or do a little more research on a given topic. But if you find yourself dreading a particular portion of your dissertation because it will require some mind-numbing, head-on-your-desk, prayer-producing rigor, then my advice is to face these tough sections head on and sit in your chair until you make some progress. You will be amazed at how momentum will grow out of your dogged persistence to hammer out these difficult portions of your project.

7.  Strive for excellence but remember that this is not your magnum opus.  A dissertation needs to be of publishable quality and it will need to past the muster of your supervisor and committee. But it is also a graduation requirement. Do the research. Make a contribution. Finish the project. And plan to write your five-volume theology when you have 30-40 more years of study, reflection, and teaching under your belt.

8.  Take careful notes.  Taking careful notes is essential for two reasons. First, keeping a meticulous record of the knowledge you glean from your research will save you time: there will be no need to later revisit your resources and chase bibliographic information, and you will find yourself less prone to the dreaded, “Where did I read that?” Second, and most importantly, you will avoid plagiarism.  If you fail to take good notes and are not careful to accurately copy direct quotes and make proper citations, you will be liable to reproducing material in your dissertation that is not original with you. Pleading that your plagiarism was inadvertent will not help your cause. It is your responsibility to take careful notes and attribute all credit to whom it is due through proper citation.

9.  Know when to read.  Write sooner, write continually, and write in order to rewrite. But you need to know when you are churning an empty barrel. Reading and research should be a stimulus to write and you need to know when that stimulus is needed. Be willing to stop writing for a short period so that you can refresh your mind with new ideas and research.

10. Establish chunks of time to research and write.  While it is important to keep writing and make the most of the time that you have, it is best for writing projects specifically to set aside large portions of time with which to write. Writing requires momentum, and momentum gathers over time. Personally, I have found that I need at least an hour to get things rolling, and that three to four hours is ideal.

11.  Get exercise, adequate sleep, and eat well.  Because our minds and bodies are meant to function in harmony, you will probably find that your productivity suffers to the degree that you are not giving attention to your exercise, sleep, and eating habits.  Like it or not, our ability to maintain long periods of sustained concentration, think carefully over our subject matter, and find motivation to complete tasks is dependent in a significant sense upon how we are caring for our bodies.  When we neglect exercise, fail to get adequate sleep, or constantly indulge in an unhealthy diet, we will find it increasingly difficult to muster the energy and clarity with which to complete our dissertation.

12.  Stay on task.  Completing a dissertation, in large measure, is not so much a feat of the intellect as it is the result of discipline. If you are able to set aside large chunks of time with which to research and write, make sure that you are not using that time for other tasks. This means that you must strive against multi-tasking. In truth, studies have shown that multi-tasking is a cognitive impossibility.  Our brains can only concentrate on one thing at a time.  When we think we are multitasking we are actually “switch-tasking;” rather than doing several things at once, our brains are constantly toggling from one task to the other (listening to a song on the radio to reading a book, back to the song, etc.). You will be amazed at how much you can accomplish if you give an undistracted 60-90 minutes to something. Stay on task.

13.  Don’t get stuck on introductions.  This is a basic writing principle, but one that bears repeating here: write the body of a given chapter or section and then return to the introductions. It is usually easier to introduce something that you have already written for the simple fact that you now know what you are introducing. You might be tempted to write the introduction first and labor to capture your reader with a gripping illustration or perfect quote while refusing to enter into the body of your paper until your preliminary remarks are flawless. This is a sure recipe for frustration. Wait until you have completed a particular section or chapter’s content until you write introductions. This practice will save you time and loads of trouble.

14.  Use a legal pad.  There’s nothing magic about a legal pad; my only aim here is to encourage you to push back from the keyboard occasionally and stimulate your mind by sketching your argument and writing your ideas by hand. I have found my way out of many dry spells by closing the laptop for a few minutes and writing on a piece of paper. I might bullet point a few key ideas, diagram my chapter outlines, or sketch the entire dissertation with boxes and arrows and notes scribbled over several pages.

15.  Go on walks.  It has been said recently that walking promotes creativity. I agree. Whether you like to walk among the trees or besides the small coffee shops along quaint side streets, I recommend that you go on walks and think specifically about your dissertation. You might find that the change of scenery, the stimulus of a bustling community, or the refreshing quiet of a park trail is just the help you need.

16.  Make use of a capture journal.  In order to make the most of your walks, you will need a place to “capture” your ideas. You may prefer to use the voice memo or notepad feature on your smartphone, or, if you’re like me,  a small 2.5”x4” lined journal. Whatever your preference, find a method that allows you to store your ideas as they come to you during your walks or as you fall to sleep at night. I wonder how many useful ideas many of us have lost because we failed to write them down? Don’t let this happen to you. Resolve to be a good steward of your thinking time and seize those thoughts.

17.  Talk about your ideas with others.  When you are writing your dissertation, you might be tempted to lock away your ideas and avoid discussing them with others. This is unwise. Talking with others about your ideas helps you to refine and stimulate your thinking; it also creates opportunities for you to learn of important resources and how your contribution will affect other branches of scholarship. Also, as people ask questions about your project, you will begin to see where your argument is unclear or unsubstantiated.

18.  Learn how to read.  Writing a dissertation requires a massive amount of reading. You must become familiar with the arguments of several hundred resources—books, articles, reviews, and other dissertations. What will you do? You must learn how to read. Effective reading does not require that you read every book word-for-word, cover-to-cover. Indeed, sometimes very close reading of a given volume may actually impede your understanding of the author’s argument. In order to save time and cultivate a more effective approach to knowledge acquisition, you must learn how to use your resources. This means knowing when to read a book or article closely, and knowing when to skim. It means knowing how to read large books within a matter of an hour by carefully reviewing the table of contents, reading and rereading key chapters and paragraphs, and using the subject index. If you want to finish your dissertation, learn how to read.

19.  Set deadlines.  Depending on your project, you may have built in deadlines that force you to produce material at a steady clip. If you do not have built in deadlines, you must impose them on yourself.  Deadlines produce results, and results lead to completed writing projects.  Set realistic deadlines and stick to them.  You will find that you are able to accomplish much more than you anticipated if you set and stick to deadlines.

20.  Take productive breaks.  Instead of turning to aimless entertainment to fill your break times, try doing something that will indirectly serve your writing process. We need breaks: they refresh us and help us stay on task. In fact, studies have shown that overall productivity diminishes if employees are not allowed to take regular, brief pauses from their work during the day. What is not often mentioned, however, is that a break does not necessarily have to be unrelated to our work in order to be refreshing; it needs only to be different from what we were just doing. So, for example, if you have been writing for 90 minutes, instead of turning on YouTube to watch another mountain biking video, you could get up, stretch, and pull that book off the shelf you’ve been wanting to read, or that article that has been sitting in Pocket for the past six weeks. Maybe reorganizing your desk or taking a walk (see above) around the library with your capture journal would be helpful. Whatever you choose, try to make your breaks productive.

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Say goodbye to unnecessary stress and get your PhD 12 months sooner with our free guide

Finish Your Thesis

Get a PhD and Finish Your Thesis 12 Months Sooner

If You Are Working on Your Thesis…

How would your life change if you could finish your thesis faster.

“When Will You Be Done With Your Thesis?”

At the end of my fifth year in a PhD program at MIT the one question that everyone asked me was “When will you be done with your thesis already?”

I remember feeling really embarrassed and just talking about something else because I had no idea when I would graduate.

I was terrified of disappointing myself and my family if I had to drop out of school after sacrificing so much time and money in graduate school.

In my sixth year, a physical injury forced me to cut down down on my work hours and I had to develop a new time-management system. 

Surprisingly, I became more productive than ever before and my thesis started to come together.

By the end of my sixth year, I defended my thesis and I had three first author publications in peer-reviewed journals.

Unfortunately,  I saw many of my peers drop out of their programs after sacrificing personal relationships and years of their lives in graduate school.  

After I graduated I realized that only 50% of doctoral students received their Ph.D.’s and I made it my mission to support other graduate students finish their theses.

Since 2009, I personally trained hundreds of graduate students to help them finish their Masters or PhD theses and publish papers, even after they hand’t made progress in months or years.

I created the “Finish Your Thesis Program” because I wanted all graduate students around the world to have access to the system that I and hundreds of other students used to finish their thesis. 

The Online “Finish Your Thesis Program” will help you to:

• Become more confident and develop a plan to finish your thesis faster,
• Manage your time better, so you can increase your productivity without working more hours,
• Have more energy so you can improve your focus and stay motivated,
• Resolve conflicts with your supervisors and committee members so you can get the guidance you need,
• Improve your academic writing skills so you can finish publications and get your thesis DONE.

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When you register you get access to Module 1 immediately, and Module 2 will be released in one week.

*Special Bonus*:  Register now to reserve your spot in our 5 month LIVE group coaching program with Dora.

Our first group coaching session will be in Mid-November and you will get all the details in advance.  

What I wish I had Known Before Entering Graduate School:

Only 50% of doctoral students get a phd degree.

The primary reasons for the high attrition rate are:

• Time management problems, which can lead to exhaustion and burnouts
• Lack of motivation or loss of interest in research,
• Lowered self-esteem and not feeling “smart enough”
• Lack of mentoring or conflicts with supervisors. and
• Loneliness and loss of motivation, due to lack of a structured support system.

  The average length of time to finish a Ph.D. degree ranges from 6.7 to 12.7 years.

Quitting your ph.d. program or graduating 6-12 months later than planned can cost you tens of thousands of dollars in debt and lost income., the root of most stress  in graduate school is that undergraduate programs do not teach you the necessary skills to complete a graduate-level thesis.,   the online “finish your thesis program” will give you the training you need to complete your ph.d. or masters thesis:.

• Organizational skills so you can gain clarity about the purpose and goals of your thesis
• Time management skills so you can meet your deadlines and keep your thesis on track
• Productivity skills so you can stay focused and motivated throughout the day
• Communication skills so you have the confidence to resolve conflicts with your supervisor
• Writing skills so you can finish your thesis and manuscripts efficiently.

Read what successful professionals have said about the Finish Your Thesis Program

  the most comprehensive program that i have seen for completing your thesis.

“Dora’s Course is the most comprehensive program that I have seen for completing your thesis.  The content not only focuses on the “how to” of writing a thesis but also focuses on the mindset and psychology you need to complete this extensive project.  In having already completed my thesis, I absolutely know this program would have been an invaluable tool in helping me complete my research, writing and dissertation presentation.  Dora’s Finish Your Thesis Program will not only help you complete your thesis but will help you finish your thesis soaring ready for the next adventure that life brings you!”  Wendi Francis, Internationally Recognized Speaker, Author, Strategic Breakthrough Coach

Suited to those who need to bring structure and solid planning to their research

“The Finish Your Thesis Program offers practical advice on the most common problems graduate  students face, like procrastination, conflicts with the thesis supervisor  or how to plan your research. I really liked to see a module dedicated to  taking care of your health, something very few people talk about and a  great problem in academia. This course is suited to those students who need to bring structure and a  solid planning to their research. You can expect great video intros (top notch quality) and detailed materials to read.”  Julio Peironcely, Ph.D., Founder, Next Scientist

The Finish Your Thesis Program offers a systematic approach with practical steps

“ There IS no magic bullet for finishing a dissertation or thesis . Thinking back to my own experience as a burned-out graduate student, I might have balked at the idea of spending additional time on a course to help me get “unstuck.” However, the Finish Your Thesis Program offers a systematic approach with practical steps, which will guide you to improve your productivity, communicate assertively, develop strategies for approaching publications and for completing your thesis/dissertation on time, maintain your physical and mental health during the process, begin your job search, and much more. The course is supported with live webinars, during which Dora answers questions and addresses difficulties encountered by attendees. Finish Your Thesis targets not only the writing process itself, but also an overarching change in mindset and attitude through lessons that will carry over into your professional career.”  Michelle Capes, Ph.D., Freelance writer, and Founder, Adeptify

Very, very impressive

“I wrote my Ph.D. thesis approximately six years ago, and I still remember the painful process vividly. The work in graduate school that culminated in the writing up process was hard, but writing the actual thesis itself was tantamount to torture. Dora’s program is essential for those graduate students that want to circumvent these feelings. Very, very impressive. The program teaches you not only how to maximize your productivity (as well as strategies to implement the necessary changes to do this), but also how to recognize when you need help (and get it), and how to care for yourself and your wellbeing during the process. Dora speaks of strategies that, if employed, would save so many graduate students a lot of heartache. Do yourself a favor. Sign up for the course. Don’t let the writing up process be torture.”  Colin White, Ph.D., Career Coach, Founder, Colin White Counsulting

Dora will get you on the right track with your thesis and career

“Lots of us, when we have trouble getting something done, turn to reading more about the topic. But sometimes you don’t need more information. This makes me wary about online classes, because there’s the risk that I’ll just read more and not actually do anything, but this course includes that crucial action part. Dora will get you on the right track with your thesis and career.  When I worked with Dora as a coach, she did a fantastic job to help me figure out what I needed to do. She knows how to keep people accountable, but accountable for realistic goals, not the impossible demands we place on ourselves as researchers.  Dora also has great advice about how to take care of your health before you turn into a burnt-out mess. (And if you’re a burnt-out mess, she can definitely help!).”  Jessamine Price, MFA, Writer, Editor, Writing Coach

The material is road-tested and proven to work

“Dora’s Finish Your Thesis Program is an essential programm for anyone who wants to complete their thesis on time and to the highest standard. I wish that I had access to this type of material when I completed my dissertations as it includes everything I could have possibly needed -and critically the material is road tested and proven to work.I would recommend Dora’s programme to anyone who wants to compete a  thesis or dissertation to the highest possible standard. ”  Michael Smith, Personal and Professional Coach, Speaker, Author, Co-Founder, Developed Edge

Dora’s program will assist you in creating your own individualized concrete plan

“As a recent doctoral candidate, who successfully completed her thesis, I genuinely wished I had this program from the beginning of my journey to guide me through the process. While subscribing to an on-line course might seem time consuming,this program will assist you in creating your own individualized concrete plan to maximize the amount of time actually spend on completing your thesis.  C oncise on-line video segments with accompanying written, downloadable text, provides a platform for all learning styles to prepare your proposal, outline your research and completing your thesis once and for all.  The Finish Your Thesis Program packs in all the necessary advice and guidance needed to finish your thesis while maintaining your health and, most importantly, your sanity”  Elaine Alden, Ed.D., Mathematics Coach

Get this program now and start it right away. You won’t regret it.

“I’m not a big fan of online programs for academics, but I was really impressed with Dora’s Finish Your Thesis Program.  Dora’s program made me wish I could go back in time and write my thesis over again. Things would have been so much easier! The reason I’m such a big fan of the program is because it’s not just about writing your thesis. The program covers everything from how to become more productive, to scientifically proven ways to stay focused, to dealing with difficult academic advisors, to writing high-quality publications. The Finish Your Thesis program really has everything you need to finish your thesis on time. I strongly recommend the Finish Your Thesis program to anyone trying to get out of graduate school successfully. Don’t be like everyone else and just hope that your thesis finishes itself. Get this program now and start it right away. You won’t regret it.”  Isaiah Hankel, Ph.D., Internationally Recognized Speaker, Author, Founder, Cheeky Scientist

Read the results that other graduate students have achieved after enrolling in  the Finish Your Thesis Program:

I was in my 5 th year of my PhD program when I enrolled in the Finish Your Thesis program and it was the best decision I ever made.

“I was in my 5 th year of my PhD program when I enrolled in the Finish Your Thesis program and it was the best decision I ever made.I felt a lot of pressure to finish my thesis, but without support it was difficult to know where to start writing and keep myself motivated through the setbacks. One of the immediate benefits I experienced after enrolling was that I was able to write 30 pages of my thesis within a few weeks. The organizational skills I learned helped me to let go of my perfectionism and get my thoughts on paper. It felt incredible having written so much in such a short time-frame! In addition, I always felt a huge wave of motivation after the live webinars, and I am still using those strategies to stay productive. What makes this program unique is that the material is well organized and presented cohesively. The online community also provides an incredible atmosphere of motivation and companionship with other fellow program members, and you will feel like you found the long sought-after support group that you’ve been hoping for through all these years of graduate school.” Christiane Rudmann, Ph.D. Student, Passau University, Germany

I am feeling more energetic, and I am graduating a semester earlier than I had expected.

“Like many other graduate students, I found it challenging to get motivated and stay motivated.  Sometimes I felt guilty about not working hard enough and disappointing my supervisor. Just a few weeks after enrolling in the Finish Your Thesis Program I became more organized, and I started using the strategies and planning sheets in the course to plan my experiments and book my equipment.  This helped to get more make progress faster, and I feel more energetic in my research – it’s sometimes even fun! The Facebook group was very supportive, and it was a safe place where we could all talk about the things that were hard. This community helped me to realize that I was not the only one having trouble, and it was good to see other people speak candidly about their challenges.  The confidence I gained from being in the program helped me to prepare better for presentations at conferences and meetings with my supervisor and committee. I am feeling more energetic, and I am graduating a semester earlier than I had expected!” Holly Johnsen, PhD Student, MIT

With the strategies I learned in the program I am now able to make consistent progress on my writing and I feel at least twice as productive as before. 

“Before joining the Finish Your Thesis program I frequently felt like I was not making enough progress on my thesis, and it was difficult to manage my time efficiently. I am not a native English speaker, and scientific writing was challenging for me.   With the strategies I learned in the program I am now able to make consistent progress on my writing and I feel at least twice as productive as before.  The resources and the support I received from the Facebook community and live webinars also helped me to become more confident and I am on track to graduating in a few months.” Yuxiang Tan, PhD Student, Boston University

I liked the course material, and when I implemented the tips from the modules, they worked every time.

“After I started the Finish Your Thesis Program I became more self-confident about finishing my PhD. I found the beginning of the program especially motivating because I learned that almost everybody goes through the same problems in graduate school, and you need to have a different mindset to succeed. I liked the course material, and when I implemented the tips from the modules, they worked every time. The questions in the material helped me to plan my PhD thesis  and stay committed to what I want for my career. The part that teaches how to deal with the supervisors was really helpful! I realized I didn’t know how to ask for help and this made it difficult for my supervisor to support me. I am now more assertive and my supervisor is more willing to help me to finish my thesis. If you care about your PhD don’t waste more time with the same problems (lack of motivation, problems, bad supervisor etc). If you want to solve these problems the Finish Your Thesis program will show you how to get over them so you can graduate.” Cynthia Vanessa Henrique, PhD Student, CBPF, Rio de Janiero, Brazil

Simply… there’s no other program with this kind of down-to-earth advice, and it works.

“The Finish Your Thesis Program helped motivate me more than words can describe. I was amazed at how much my productivity improved just within the very first week.  Simply… there’s no other program with this kind of down-to-earth advice, and it works.  I have overcome my fears about not being “good enough” to finish, and I realized that there are lots of other people dealing with the same struggles I have.  Just knowing that I wasn’t alone in my struggles gave me added confidence and renewed my commitment to finish. Dora’s presentation style is great and I also really liked being able to interact with the other participants in real time during the live webinars. The information presented was outstanding, and I do feel like I’m part of this community.  Everyone cares about each other and I can’t wait to congratulate each other as we finish. I’m much more confident and enthusiastic about finishing my dissertation after participating in this program, and as a side benefit, I’m also a happier and healthier person after incorporating exercise and healthy eating and sleeping habits into my life. Don’t hesitate, you’ll be so glad you joined!” Mary Abercrombie, PhD Student, University of South Florida

I loved the Facebook group since I got to learn so much from others as they shared their experiences and resources whole-heartedly. 

Since joining the Finish Your Thesis program, I have developed a can-do attitude towards my research and life. I have drawn up a thesis structure which my committee have approved, and my main supervisor said that I have turned a corner after struggling with my results last year. I am now more positive and have become more confident with respect to my research, and I have developed a critical thinking approach that has made me more assertive during group discussions. The live webinars provided strategies and a structure that we could implement to help us complete our thesis soon.  I loved the Facebook group, since I got to learn so much from others as they shared their experiences and resources whole-heartedly.  Their encouragement was heart-warming and I am very grateful for their presence in my life.    The Finish Your Thesis Program has made me richer as an individual, and helped me realize my strengths as a person, and become a better version of myself.” Durgaprasad Iyer, PhD Student, University of Cape Town, South Africa

The kind and unconditional support from the online community has been so helpful during the good and the bad

“When I first learned about the Finish Your Thesis Program I was not sure whether it was right for me, because I was not at the writing stage yet. Now that I finished the course, I can only share my own excellent experience with Dora and the program. If you need help getting organized to get stuff done and could use not only helpful strategies, but also a supportive environment, this is the program for you. Not in the “writing stage” of your thesis? No problem, I joined well into the “research stage” of my project and the skills I learned in the program have been incredibly helpful to organize my data acquisition while at the same time begin the writing process early. I am now organized, motivated and focused. The kind and unconditional support from the online community has been so helpful during the good and the bad, and it is amazing helping these talented men and women succeed. Based on what I know from my graduate school experience and what my friends and colleagues share about their own, I’d say the Finish Your Thesis program will provide you the productivity skills and supportive environment you need to finish your thesis and graduate. ” Ileana Freytes-Ortiz, PhD Student, University of South Florida

If you want to graduate, the Finish Your Thesis Program and the online community will be really helpful for you to stay motivated and complete your degree.

“One of my fears before joining the Finish Your Thesis Program was that I would not be able to graduate on time. I felt stressed and this led to a lack of motivation. After I started the program I became more productive and I learned to focus on the tasks that were helping me to finish my thesis. I developed a new routine, I write every day, and I see my thesis coming together. The online community was very inspiring because I saw that I was not the only one having problems in graduate school. I learned that if others can make things work out, so can I.  If you want to graduate, the Finish Your Thesis Program and the online community will be really helpful for you to stay motivated and complete your degree.” Quang Evansluong, PhD Student, Jonkoping International Business School, Sweden

I am so glad I joined the Finish Your Thesis Program early in my PhD studies, and I have already highly recommended it to other graduate students

“This program has been incredibly helpful for me to succeed in academia and life as well.  Before joining the program I felt stressed and I didn’t know how to manage my time and the meetings with my supervisor. Now I always prepare a detailed plan for the meetings, and my supervisor really appreciates it because it shows that I respect her time. I am more productive now than I was before joining the program because I know how to prioritize and manage my energy do I can stayed focused for the whole day. The Facebook community was one of the best parts of the program because it gave me the opportunity to connect with an international community of students and Dora and get daily support for my work. Whenever I posted any questions to the group I got a response very quickly. I am so glad I joined the Finish Your Thesis Program early in my PhD studies, and I have already highly recommended it to other students.” Leili Ghazi zadeh, PhD Student, Regenerative Medicine, Montreal, Canada

Give yourself the gift of confidence through this timely and needed online course

“ Dora Farkas has been instrumental in guiding me through the tenuous process of writing my Ed.D. thesis. Dora’s Finish Your Thesis Program comprehensively explains what is needed to bring your mind and body together holistically, to approach one of the most academically challenging educational pursuits in one’s academic lifetime. These modules can also extend beyond ones graduate work and be translated into lifetime skills that can carry one through  work and personal relationships .   Through mindful and deliberate attention to the questions, vignettes, and actionable goals in each module, the task of writing your thesis becomes less daunting. Give yourself the gift of confidence through this timely and needed online course that will provide the necessary tools and strategies for realizing your academic dream.”  Colleen Fritze, Doctoral Candidate, Northeastern University

 Everything that you get in this online course:

• 22 high-definition professionally-edited videos,
• Downloadable workbooks for each module, summarizing the course material,
• Your personalized “Finish Your Thesis Plan”
• 6 step-by-step training sessions  (Value: $300)
• Webinars are recorded so you can listen to them at any time.
• 4 bonus modules that cover writing skills, online productivity tools, thesis defense preparation, and career development strategies (Value: $397)
• Bonus time-management tracking sheets from private clients ($300)
• *Special bonus* Membership in our 5 months of live group coaching program  (Value $597)
• Daily support from me and private online community as long as you are in grad school (Value: priceless)
• Email support for the first three months after your enroll in the program

Total Value: Over $2000

Your investment: $297, how is the course structured, module 1: the most important factors of success in graduate school.

• The mindset that helps graduate students finish their thesis quickly.
• How to avoid the habits that make your life unnecessarily difficult in graduate school
• Three steps to turn any goals into reality, and
• The most effective productivity tips to help you make progress right away.

Module 2: Develop a step-by-step plan to finish your thesis FAST

• The top 5 elements of a successful thesis proposal and thesis
• Set up an action plan to reach your goals quickly
• How to write your publications in advance (even before you collect all your data)

Module 3: Become confident and resolve conflicts with your supervisor and coworkers

• The most effective communication skills that will solve 90% of all your conflicts
• How to avoid biggest communication mistakes that keep you stuck in grad school
• Cope with really difficult supervisors and get them on your side.

Module 4: Strategies that will help you become more focused and efficient

• Set up a productive schedule that prevents burnouts
• Develop a sustainable progress to make consistent progress
• The top 10 strategies to beat procrastination and get your work done,

Module 5: Tips to help you improve your health and increase your energy 

• How to turn stress into productive energy
• Fuel your brain and sharpen your focus through nutrition
• Prevent physical injuries related to excessive computer use

Module 6: Develop your “Personalized Finish Your Thesis Plan” to get your thesis DONE

• Get a crystal clear vision of what you need to do to finish your thesis
• Identify the factors that are preventing you from graduating on time
• Set up a support network & accountability to keep you motivated until you finish your thesis.

Your Exciting Bonus Modules

Bonus #1:  “Tips to begin your job search while you are still in graduate school” will introduce you to strategies to get a head-start on advancing your career.

Bonus #2: “12 simple strategies to overcome writer’s block and finish your theses and manuscripts” will help you to write your thesis and publications more efficiently.

Bonus #3:” The latest online technology tools to help you boost your productivity and stay organized”  will show you free or low-cost online tools to help you manage your time better, organize information, and collaborate effectively with others.

Bonus #4: 5 months of LIVE group coaching calls with me so you can get all of your questions answered about grad school. Space for the group coaching program is limited. Register now to reserve your spot in our group coaching program.

How is Course Delivered?

• As soon as you sign up, you will get access to Module 1.
• Subsequent modules will be released weekly.
• Each week the course materials will be delivered to you in the form of 4 short video presentations and accompanying workbook,
• The workbook includes all the course materials as well as exercises and questions that you can do at your own pace,
• Each module includes and online webinar with step-by-step strategies to help you make progress fast.
• Webinars will be recorded so you can watch them at any time, if you cannot attend the live session.
• We will also have an exclusive private Facebook group where you can post your questions and read tips on how to finish your thesis.
• You will have email support during the duration of the course and for an entire month after the course is completed.

 You Are Not Alone

One of the biggest challenges that graduate students face is isolation, which can lead to loss of motivation and reduced productivity.

The “Finish Your Thesis Program” will provide you with a community where you can personalized support from me and other graduate students on a daily basis.

The process of completing your dissertation will become easier when you have the organizational and communication skills necessary to complete your thesis, as well as a community to provide you support.

As a “Finish Your Thesis Program” member you get  access to all of our course materials, exciting bonuses and daily  support from our exclusive private Facebook page  for as long as you are in grad school. 

  what is unique about the finish your thesis course,  this is the only online course that addresses every aspect of graduate student life, including:.

• Developing a plan with clear milestones to finish your thesis,
• Optimizing your productivity and time management skills,
• Resolving conflicts with your supervisor, coworkers, and thesis committee members,
• Improving your writing skills, so you can publish your manuscripts and write your thesis efficiently,
• Reducing stress and improving your health given your busy schedule and limited budget,
• Preparing for your career while you are still in graduate school, and

You will have daily support from me and other graduate students through our online community and live webinars to guide you at every step of the program. 

 A Little Bit About Me (Your Guide)

I started my career as a graduate students at MIT in the Department of Biological Engineering. My plan was to become a professor or a research scientist in the pharmaceutical industry, like everyone else in my department.

I passed all my exams, and I followed everything that my supervisor told me to do, but at the end of every semester, I wondered “Will I ever graduate?” My thesis topic was challenging, and my committee members didn’t agree on what I had to do to graduate.

Eventually, I finished my Ph.D. thesis and published several papers as well, but I saw many of my peers (who were very bright students) struggle for years, or drop out of grad school.

I continued my career at Tufts Medical School as a postdoctoral fellow, and there too, I saw that many of the graduate students were frustrated and considered leaving their programs.

I also learned 50% of doctoral students drop out of grad school (that’s 50,000 students a year in the US alone), and I decided to take action.

I accepted a Senior Scientist position in the pharmaceutical industry, but I also coached graduate students on the side. I was amazed that the time management and productivity skills that I used to finish my thesis helped students in other fields and other countries to complete their thesis.

After coaching graduate students for over 5 years, I decided to put all of the time management, productivity, writing, and communication skills that I taught to my students into an online course, and that is how the “Finish Your Thesis Program” was born. 

This Course Is For You If You …

• Are committed to finishing your thesis,
• Want to improve your time management skills so you can make progress more quickly,
• Would like to develop a better relationship with your thesis supervisor,
• Want to have more energy and become more productive, and
• Would like to improve your writing skills so you can finish your thesis as quickly as possible.

This Course Is Not For You If You …

• Are not sure whether graduate school is for you,
• Have not started graduate school yet,
• Are trying to decide between Masters or PhD-level programs,
• Finished writing your thesis, or
• Are defending your thesis in less than 2 months.

Your success is my priority

I offer a 30-day 100% money-back guarantee.

   You will have full access to all of our course materials for the first 30 days. 

If you decide that this course is not for you, you will get a 100% refund, no questions asked.

You have nothing to lose except stress, frustration and sleepless nights.

  What if you are not a native English speaker?

• You are in good company, because English is not my first language either.
• I have coached international students over Skype, and I feel comfortable communicating with non-native English speakers.
• I understand the challenges of having to do research and write publications in your non-native tongue.
• The course material is summarized clearly in the workbooks so it is easy for non-native English speakers to follow,
• During our previous enrollment periods we had graduate students from 30 different countries
• At our live webinars questions will be types into   in the chat box, so it will be easy for both native and non-native English speakers to understand
• Live webinars will be presented at an easy-to-follow pace and recorded so you can review them at your own pace

Other frequently asked questions

When does the course start.

You will get access to the materials for Week 1 as soon as you join the course. Subsequent modules will be released weekly. Each week the course materials will be delivered to you in the form of 4 short video presentations, a workbook, and an online webinar.

How do you get the most out of the Private Facebook group?

Our private and exclusive Facebook group already has members of the Finish Your Thesis Community who have taken the course. Through this community you can get daily support from other students and me to help you overcome challenges in graduate school.

The more you participate by asking questions or offering support to other students, the more you will get out of the group.

How can you protect your privacy?

During the webinars you can submit written questions in the chat box, but you may use a pseudonym when registering for the webinar to protect your privacy. You have the option to join our private Facebook group, but you may also send me questions (even anonymously from an alternative email address ) which I can address either directly through email or during the webinar.

What is the time commitment if you enroll in the course?

The Finish Your Thesis Program was designed for the busy graduate student lifestyle, and the material is condensed into easy-to-read workbooks and short videos. Each module takes only 1 hour per week, and the weekly webinars are 1 hour long.

How long does it take to complete the course?

The Finish Your Thesis Program has 6 modules, and you will get access to one module every week as soon as you enroll in the course. I know that you are busy, and you will get access to the best productivity tips in week 1, so you can start seeing results very quickly.

What if you cannot attend the webinars, or you fall behind?

I understand that you have a busy life. All webinars will be recorded, so you can listen to them at any time. You can also study the course materials at your own pace, and contact me directly at [email protected] if you have questions or fall behind.

Is this course applicable to all fields of study?

Yes, this course is based on success stories from graduate students from over 30 different fields of study including mathematics, life and physical sciences, engineering, humanities and social sciences.

The strategies I will teach you will help you to become more productive regardless of your field of study.

At what stage of graduate school is the Finish Your Thesis Program most helpful?

We have had students who just started their graduate programs, and we also had students who joined the course in their last semester. The skills you learn in the course and the interactive support network will help you to manage your time better, reduce stress and become more productive at any stage of graduate school.

What if you are not at the writing stage of your thesis?

The time management, productivity, and communication skills in this program will help you during the research stage and the writing phase of graduate school. During our last enrollment period we had students who were early in their program and the strategies in the program helped them to become more efficient with their research so they could begin writing their papers sooner.

How will this program help you to write your thesis?

This program will teach you time management and productivity strategies to help you stay motivated and focused so you can make consistent progress on your thesis. I also have two bonuses that will be especially useful for you as you write your thesis: 1) “ 12 simple strategies to overcome writer’s block and finish your theses and manuscripts” will help you to write you manuscripts more efficiently and 2)  ” The latest online technology tools to help you boost your productivity and stay organized”  will show you free or low-cost online tools to help you organize information for your thesis to make the writing process more efficient.

What information is included about staying healthy in graduate school?

The program provides suggestions on how to reduce stress, improve nutrition, and prevent injuries related to excessive typing in graduate school. The program does not provide medical advice, and any health-related information in the program  is based on my opinion  and is for information purposes only.  The program is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical opinion, diagnosis or treatment.  Always seek the advice of a physician or qualified medical professional.

DO YOU HAVE A REFUND POLICY?

I am fully committed to helping you to finish your thesis as efficiently as possible.  You can try out the program for the first 30 days of the course.  If you decide that the course is not for you, you get a 100% refund, no questions asked.

 You have a specific question I have not addressed

If you are interested in this course but I have not addressed your question, please email me at [email protected]. View the complete Terms and Conditions of our program here.

Are you Ready to Finish Your Thesis?

The best thesis is a “finished thesis.”, join now if you want to finish your thesis and graduate. .

*Special Bonus*:   Register now to reserve your spot in our 5 month LIVE group coaching program with Dora.

Still on the fence? Listen to the following reviews:

Aviv sharon, a recent graduate, shares how the program helped him to finish his thesis..

Aviv Sharon, Ph.D. Student, Technion Israel Institute of Technology

Leili Ghazzi zadeh, a Ph.D. student, describes how the program helped her to become more productive and get better mentoring from her supervisor

 Leili Ghazi Zadeh, Ph.D. Student, Université de Montréal

Listen to the benefits of the program from professionals who work with PhD students:

“dora’s program gives you step-by-step instructions on how to finish your thesis”.

Isaiah Hankel, Ph.D., Internationally Recognized Speaker, Author, Founder, Cheeky Scientist

“Dora’s Program Will be the Coach That You Need to Get to the Finish Line”

Elaine Alden, Ed.D.,Mathematics Coach

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