The Difficulties of Writing a PhD Thesis: Things I Would Have Knew Before

Writing a PhD thesis is often described as a marathon rather than a sprint. Years of study, careful recording, and the capacity to compile a large amount of data into a comprehensible story are all necessary. Although the path is fruitful, many PhD candidates are ill-prepared for the substantial obstacles that come with it. Here are some of the major difficulties I encountered and the things I wish I had known sooner, based on my personal experience.

1. The Overwhelming Amount of Information

Challenge: One of the biggest hurdles was dealing with an immense volume of research papers, experimental data, and background information. Organizing everything felt like an endless task.

What I Wish I Knew:

? From the beginning, use reference management software such as EndNote, Mendeley, or Zotero to organize your material.

? Summarize key findings in a separate document to avoid re-reading papers multiple times.

? Maintain a study journal to record your findings, difficulties, and advancements.

2. Writer’s Block and Procrastination

Challenge: Many times, I found myself staring at a blank page, struggling to put my thoughts into words. The pressure to write “perfect” drafts often led to procrastination.

What I Wish I Knew:

Write first, edit later – getting words on the page is more important than making them perfect in the first draft.

Break writing into small, manageable sections rather than attempting to write entire chapters at once.

Use focused writing sessions for few minutes everyday to build momentum.

3. Managing Feedback and Revisions

Challenge: Receiving critical feedback from supervisors and co-authors was sometimes overwhelming and demotivating.

What I Wish I Knew:

Feedback is not personal—it’s meant to improve the thesis, not criticize your abilities.

Address comments systematically by categorizing them (e.g., major revisions vs. minor edits).

Keep track of changes using version control tools like Google Docs or Overleaf.

4. Time Management and Burnout

Challenge: Balancing lab work, writing, and personal life was difficult. The constant pressure led to burnout.

What I Wish I Knew:

? Set realistic writing deadlines and treat them as seriously as lab deadlines.

? Take regular breaks—working long hours without rest reduces efficiency.

5. Formatting and Submission Stress

Challenge: When I thought I was done, formatting the thesis according to university guidelines became an unexpected headache.

What I Wish I Knew:

? Use LaTeX or built-in thesis templates early to avoid last-minute formatting issues.

? Check university guidelines well in advance to avoid surprises before submission.

? Leave ample time for proofreading—small errors can be frustratingly time-consuming to fix.

Conclusion

Writing a PhD thesis is a challenging but transformative experience. While the process can be daunting, being aware of these challenges and adopting effective strategies can make the journey smoother. If you’re currently working on your thesis, remember—you’re not alone! Take it one step at a time, seek support, and celebrate small milestones.

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