“My Dissertation is Killing Me!” How to Survive and Graduate

No one ever said that getting a Ph.D. is easy (trust me, no one!), and the hard truth is that it’s no walk in the park. While graduate students’ experiences in their doctoral programs vary widely, almost everyone hits a wall at some point during the dissertation process. The reality is, writing your dissertation is likely the greatest intellectual challenge you’ve ever faced. Most graduate students encounter one or two major roadblocks along the way. 

It’s not all gloom and doom, though. While everyone thinks their dissertation is plotting their demise at one point or another, it’s a natural feeling and one that can be combated. If you feel like you’re on the verge of a meltdown, don’t despair. Take a day or two, if you need it, figure out the root of the problem, and then form an action plan. You’ll be back on the road to finishing your Ph.D. in no time. 

These are a few frequently asked questions that arise when your dissertation overwhelms you: 

• Why is my dissertation killing me?
• How can I make the dissertation process easier?
• Who can help me get through my dissertation?
• What resources are available for help with my dissertation? 

Why is My Dissertation Killing Me? 

When you’re ready, it can be helpful to do a bit of reflection and identify the specific source of your discontent. Isolating the problem, or problems, will give you an opportunity to determine the size, scope, and perhaps even cause of the issue. A dissertation can seem like an insurmountable monolith. Breaking it down into a series of steps can help you put things in perspective and see that you’re facing hills, not mountains.

There are many places where a dissertation can feel like it’s going off the rails: 

Finding a Topic

Depending on your field of study, deciding on your topic and forming your research question can be difficult. Luckily, there are effective strategies for finding a gap in the literature to plant your flag as a researcher. 

Theoretical Foundation

Formulating the theoretical foundation of your dissertation can also be tricky. Even after taking all of the relevant coursework, comprehending and evaluating theories relevant to your research often feels unnatural at first. It takes a while to become comfortable wielding theory, so give yourself some time and practice. 

Writing!

There is nothing as daunting as a blank page, and we’ve all faced writer’s block at one time or another. Whether it is a matter of finding the time, the energy, or the inspiration, writing can feel like a tremendous chore even when you’re enthusiastic about your topic and have meaningful insight to contribute. Luckily, there are tried and true strategies for helping you get started and maintain momentum. 

Making the Dissertation Process Easier

While there is no single, surefire shortcut to making your dissertation a breeze, there are steps you can take to mitigate the most difficult parts of the process. When I was writing my dissertation, getting organized was essential. Having a plan helped me stay on track and also keep my sanity. While it didn’t change the amount of work I had to do, knowing exactly what was ahead of me was reassuring. 

As soon as you can, work with your dissertation chair or Ph.D. advisor to develop a dissertation timeline. Use a template to map out each milestone of your dissertation, from your dissertation prospectus, to your proposal, to each chapter of your dissertation. From there, you can build a rough timeline to help you meet your goals for completing each milestone. Sharing this timeline with your chair or advisor (plus a writing partner or a coach) will help you stay accountable and on target for your dissertation defense. 

In my experience, creating accountability is vital for finishing your dissertation. Writing your dissertation can be a lonely process, and it can be hard to generate the momentum you’ll need when you’re doing it on your own. In addition to reaching out for support, it can also be helpful to make calendar appointments with yourself to create a daily writing habit. Dedicating as little as fifteen minutes a day to your writing can make a noticeable difference in your mindset. 

What Resources are Available for Help?

While holding yourself accountable is an important key to finishing your dissertation, please know that you don’t have to go through the process alone. Chipping away at your dissertation can be a lonely endeavor, and reaching out to others who understand what you’re going through is a great way to feel less isolated and more engaged with your research. It’s important to realize that there are people you can rely on for support when you feel like your dissertation is killing you. 

So who can you turn to? While your Ph.D. advisor or dissertation chair are the usual suspects, the amount of time they have for you may be limited. If you don’t have a mentor-mentee relationship with them, they also may not be a natural choice if you’re seeking a bit of TLC, or even a shoulder to cry on. That’s okay–there are others you can seek out for additional support.

Don’t be afraid to reach out to members of your cohort. When I was working on my dissertation, it was very helpful to meet up with classmates and compare notes about how things were going and books/articles that illuminated the murkiness. A quick coffee date is also a great way to raise your spirits. Even in online programs where you don’t see each other face-to-face in class, Zoom meetings or Google Hangouts are a perfect way to commiserate and share resources. 

Additional Resources

In addition to working with faculty and classmates, there are other resources you can seek out when it feels like your dissertation is killing you. If you need help making a plan and sticking to it, a Ph.D. coach can be a great source of knowledge and support. Developmental and content editors are also helpful consultants during the writing and editing process, and great people to have on your team.