The Grad School Diaries: Episode 21 - When you simply cannot write no matter what you do

I am surprised to find out that I do have blog readers also working on their thesis. From a previous answer post to a reader's comment, I got another one:

I'm a first time commenter, long time reader of your diaries. It's nice to know that I'm not alone with my thesis troubles. My jaw dropped when I saw your drafts. I'm nowhere even near your progress. I'd love to have a blog like yours but I simply don't have the time to do that. Ironically I still have time to comment on blogs (silly me). Any advice for someone who just can't get focused enough on thesis writing? - Amy Lounsbury

Dear Amy,

Thank you for your message Amy! Sorry it took so long for me to reply. To be honest, I started this blog to get my writing groove back on. I stopped blogging in 2009 then went back again in late 2010. I don't have problems writing in my blog but I have a hard time writing an academic paper. I used this blog to make my fingers move and get used to writing. I believe that it somehow helped, at least with the part of getting used to actual typing.

I wish I could tell you useful tips on how to be focused enough on thesis writing, but I believe we all come with our own individual manuals. I even came to the point where I lost my writing mojo and my data were just sitting on my desk for a really long time that it almost turned to waste. But, I will share some tips that I got from my friends in graduate school:

1. Make a time line with a list of task and reward yourself when the job is done. For example, until you finish writing your Chapter 4, you will not go to a spa, or any place you usually go to for leisure.

2. If number 1 don't work for you, try to write at least one to two pages per day.

3. Find a motivator. I know easier said than done, but in my case, I told my self if I keep procrastinating, I will undergo the same amount of time and energy in dealing with signing of papers, enrollment, endorsements and all the hassle of paper works for next semester.

4. Plan a really good event, like a good vacation that you cannot cancel and will always look forward to, and make it your reward for writing your thesis. So you won't have to feel guilty if you splurge on your vacay, at least your thesis is done.

5. This one is crazy, but cramming gives the ultimate jolt. I work as a writer and event planner while doing my thesis in graduate school on the side. For some magical reason, I was able to discipline myself in time management if I know I have very little time in between to write. I know it may not usually work for others but it's worth a try.

I haven't got the final approval of my final draft so I am pretty much on my toes waiting for the results. Thank you and I hope I was able to be of help even just a little. Good luck to our thesis/papers!


Best,
Kea