If you haven't started working on your thesisor dissertation or aren't currently actively working on it on a daily basis ?let's face it, you will most likely not finish it. That's why you have toestablish several mini-goals for the end of the year and start working towardsthem.Your can giveyou a great sense of accomplishment. There's pride in contributing somethingnew to the greater body of academic knowledge. Completing your thesis alsomeans that you can finally gain your Master's degree and move up in the world.Unfortunately, much of the sense of accomplishment you'll get when you finishyour thesis will come from overcoming great odds. For you see, completing athesis easily falls under the category of "things easier said thandone."
Regardless of what stage you are at incompleting your thesis or dissertation, remember the key to finishing is tokeep moving the project forward, and it is critical to spend at least 12minutes EVERY DAY working on your document. Your goal is to make consistent,incremental, daily progress. And, even if you just can't contemplate writingsome days, there are still a number of required tasks that you can accomplish.Find something from this list you can do right now!!!
1. Create your Title Page
2. Create your Bibliography
3. Format the document
4. Create your Acknowledgement Page
5. Format your Tables
6. Create your List of Tables
7. Create your List of Figures
8. Create your Table of Contents
9. Create your Signature Page
10. Create your Appendices
The biggest misconception about finishing athesis or dissertation is the belief that writing is the key component tocompletion. The real key to finishing is effective time management. This isparticularly true given the fact that, for most students, writing the documentmust be completed in tandem with numerous other important tasks, such aspreparing for the job market; moving to or starting a new job; preparing forgraduation; or working a full-time job. If time-management is not your forte,there are many resources available to help you manage, structure, and organizeyour time to maximize your efforts.
To help better manage your time, enlist yournetwork of friends and family that may give you in completingtasks that don't require your intellectual capital. Most loved ones are morethan willing to be supportive if they only know what they can do to help.
