Do you think that an entire school year is enough to write and complete your dissertation?
Well, it could be possible but only with good time management strategies; otherwise, you may be needing another year to finish it.
Benjamin Franklin said, “You delay, but time will not.”
If you think you can procrastinate and write your dissertation later, you would definitely end up cramming and cramming for it is not a good thing. Hence, you need to learn time management skills.
“I must govern the clock not be governed by it.” You have to remember this always.
Manage and control time; it should not be the other way around. Once you have learned how to manage time, you will be able to increase your productivity. Increased productivity is a benefit for your dissertation making. This simply means that you are getting efficient and productive in completing it.
Prioritizing- this is the main key to time management. You should learn how to prioritize tasks and goals. Hence, the very first thing that you should do in writing your paper is to create a list of all the tasks needed in doing a dissertation. Once you are done with this, make another list of actions which need to be made under it. Doing this will help you determine which among the tasks are needed to be prioritized. Is it conducting a research or looking for a thesis advisor?
The next thing to do is to plan a schedule. Make a timetable. It can be monthly, weekly, or daily- whichever is the most favorable to you. You need to do this so that you will not forget your deadlines and you will always be reminded of your tasks.
As you write your dissertation, it is best to always visit or consult your advisor. Let him or her check your work. Keep him/her informed about the status of your paper. Is your topic already approved? If not, what’s needed to be done? Discuss important things with your advisor. The latter’s job is to guide and direct you.
Time management is not only about spending wisely of your time; it is also about learning how to say “no” to others. Just imagine the tons of work you have to do for your dissertation but you keep on saying “yes” to your friends- to accompany them to the mall or helping them in their projects. If one of your friends invited you for a drink or for a movie, check your schedule first. If you still have deadlines to beat, then tell your friend right away that you can’t go because you are working on your dissertation. Saying “no” does not mean you don’t like to go with your friend. This only shows that you know how to prioritize.
Start learning and practicing time management. Just as what Lord Chesterfield said, “Know the true value of time; snatch, seize, and enjoy every moment of it. No idleness, no laziness, no procrastination; Never put off till tomorrow what you can do today.”
Enjoy writing!
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