Let’s be honest – starting your dissertation or final project can feel like standing at the base of a mountain with no clear path up. I’m currently working on mine, and while it’s still a work-in-progress, I’ve picked up a few tips that are helping me manage the workload, stress, and deadlines (without turning into a coffee-fuelled zombie). 

Start with what sparks your interest 

When you’re doing readings for assignments or just exploring your field, make note of the topics or ideas that genuinely interest you. It could be a journal article that made you think differently or a case study you found fascinating. Staying engaged with your academic community – reading recent papers, following debates, or attending events – helps you shortlist themes you’d enjoy diving into. 

Aim to identify at least three potential topics. Then, sketch out rough aims and objectives for each. What would you want to explore or find out? This helps you gain clarity and figure out which topic has the right depth (and practical scope) for your dissertation. 

Understanding the groundwork 

Once you’ve narrowed things down, the next step is navigating the ethics and risk assessment stage. For most of us, dissertations tend to be low-risk projects, so this part usually means following university guidelines. It might feel like admin, but it sets a structure that makes the rest of the process more manageable. 

Something that really helped me: stop thinking of the dissertation as writing a whole book. It’s more like a detailed chapter in a broader academic conversation. That mindset shift made everything feel a bit less overwhelming. 

Don’t just read—track your reading 

One thing I’ve started doing (and wish I’d done earlier) is keeping track of what I read as I go. It’s easy to think you’ll remember a brilliant idea later, but with multiple tabs and deadlines, things blur fast. 

To help with this, I created a simple Excel workbook with columns for Key Arguments, Problems Identified, Methodology, Case Studies, Key Theories/Frameworks, and Conclusions. It’s still growing but having that structure makes things feel more manageable. When I revisit a section and feel a bit lost, I can just scan my tracker instead of hunting through PDFs. It saves time and gives a sense of control. 

Create mini-deadlines and stick to them 

Set loose deadlines: when to finish your literature review, wrap up data collection, or get your first draft done. These mini-goals make the process less daunting and help you track progress. 

A quick note on interviews. In my case, they’re a supporting element – something I’ll do after developing my own arguments and understanding. That way, I know what to ask and why. If you’re doing the same, make sure it aligns with your ethics process, and check in with your supervisor before reaching out to participants. Good timing makes things smoother. 

Stay in touch with your supervisor 

Your supervisor is one of your most valuable supports. Don’t hesitate to reach out – whether it’s a quick check-in, feedback on a rough idea, or just to talk through where you’re stuck. They’ve seen many students go through this and can often help you find a way forward. Staying connected can keep you on track and reduce stress. 

A final word from someone still in the thick of it 

I’m still deep in the process – reading, writing, rethinking, and occasionally panicking – but if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that consistency counts more than perfection. Some days feel unproductive, and that’s okay. Keep showing up, even if it’s just for a few notes. 

Don’t isolate yourself. Talk to your supervisor, reach out to peers, and use university support services. Most importantly, be kind to yourself. This isn’t just an academic exercise- it’s a steep learning curve, and you’re doing it. Bit by bit, it adds up. 

You don’t need to have it all figured out. You just need to keep moving. 

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