Dissertation Deadline Looming? How to Cope With Dissertation Stress at University

As dissertation deadlines get closer, it’s normal for stress levels to reach new heights. After all, only robots wouldn’t be affected by the countless hours of research, writing, and revisions! But fear not, there are ways to manage dissertation stress and stay focused on your final university project. 

Whether you’re trying to hit that 10k word essay deadline, are conducting research every day in the lab or are frantically waiting for survey responders to get back to you, our tried-and-tested strategies will help you cope with dissertation stress, perfect your time management and look after your mental health during dissertation season. Remember, you got this!

7 Ways to Cope with Dissertation Stress

When it comes to your dissertation, managing stress and preventing burnout is just as important as the words themselves. These seven stress-busting tips will help you stay cool when the heat increases. 

• Remember You Are Not Alone

  There have been students who have submitted their dissertations before you, and there will continue to be students after you. If they can do it – so can you. Knowing that others have gotten through this period in one piece will reduce the stress on your shoulders, and knowing that these feelings are normal and will pass.

• Put a Calendar up on Your Wall

  There’s something about seeing your deadlines in front of you that makes them seem less stressful. While they’re floating about in your brain, it can be easy to let your thoughts run away with you. That’s why it’s a great idea to put up a big calendar in your bedroom (by your desk if possible!) so you can see the bigger picture and work towards smaller benchmarks. 

• Work for Just Half an Hour a Time

  Big study periods can be stressful, so concentrate on working just half an hour at a time. Grab a small egg timer online, and commit to bashing out just thirty minutes of work daily – this is equivalent to one short Netflix show! Some days, half an hour will be all you have in you, but in others, you’ll get lost in your writing and can go for hours.

• Keep Up Your Hobbies

  Hobbies are great. They don’t just provide a much-needed mental break from the intense focus required for your dissertation, but many hobbies at university can help reduce stress, like exercise, yoga and creative pastimes. Make as much time as you can for these hobbies during dissertation season, and allow your mind to rest and recharge.  

• Tell Yourself, It Doesn’t Have to Be Perfect, It Just Has to Be Done!

  Procrastination is the thief of time – and there’s only so much time to get your dissertation in. Try not to get stuck on a single sentence or paragraph for too long. It’s easier to go back and edit when there’s something on the page! Remind yourself you can always go back and make it better later. After all, the only good dissertation is a finished dissertation!

• Schedule Your Supervisor Meetings in Advance 

  Having a solid goal to work towards will help your stress levels. As well as breaking down your dissertation into manageable milestones, scheduling meetings with your supervisor in advance will “force” you to meet those benchmarks. After all, the idea of letting down someone else is the ultimate motivator.

• Remember, Doing Anything Is Better Than Doing Nothing

  Slow and steady wins the race, and all that. As long as you are getting things done day after day, you will always meet your goal. Even if you just edit one page or fix a citation, something is always better than nothing when it comes to big projects like these. It’s a marathon, not a sprint!

Time Management Tips for Writing Your Dissertation

Once you’ve mastered how to cope with dissertation stress at university, you can start planning how to best use your time effectively. ‘Procrastination’ and ‘dissertation’ often go hand in hand for students, but these great time management tips will ensure you use every last minute before your hand-in date to your advantage. 

• Create a Study Timeline

  A study timeline is an excellent way to keep track of your progress and a visual reminder of how much great work you already have under your belt. By breaking down time into smaller units, you’re forced NOT to think about the bigger picture, which will prevent you from procrastinating! 

  To make your study timeline, split your project into several sections with realistic timings – try and be as honest as possible, otherwise you’ll find you won’t stick to them. These achievable bitesize dissertation chunks will act as daily motivators to finish the task at hand, without letting your project completely overwhelm you.

• Prioritise Your Tasks

  Much like creating a study timeline, prioritising your tasks can also help you effectively manage your time when writing your dissertation. This tip is especially great for those completing a non-linear dissertation or final project, like a lab project. 

  Using your study timeline, decide which tasks are your top priority and promote them to the top of your to-do list. Then create a second list of smaller, less time-consuming tasks, for the days when you can’t give 100%, but still want to be productive in some way. 

• Discover When You Work Best

  Maybe you’re a night owl that gets things done after dark, or perhaps you have your best thoughts early in the morning before lunch. Either way, finding out what time of the day you work best will make writing your dissertation easier, and improve your workflow exponentially. 

  This isn’t to say you should only work within these timeframes, especially in the last few weeks before your deadline. However, giving 100% within those times of maximum concentration will quickly pay off!

Staying Motivated During Dissertation Season

For many students, the hardest part of writing a dissertation isn’t getting started – but keeping going. Finding ways to stay motivated during dissertation season is essential to handing in a piece of work that’s as good as it can be. The following tips will help you keep your head down, and give you that final push to submission. 

• Find a study buddy: Working alongside someone can help you stay motivated with writing, and be accountable to finish the tasks in your to-do list. Even if you’re working on separate projects, you can still share ideas, offer each other support and discuss your progress… as well as find somewhere tasty for lunch!
• Try the pomodoro method: When it comes to productivity and motivation, the pomodoro method is tried and tested. Write for 25 minutes on, then take 5 minutes off for a break. Once you’ve done this 3 times, take 15 minutes off. These short and sweet bursts of writing and revision will stop your mind wandering and improve focus.
• Get rid of distractions: Distractions can play havoc with your concentration, and once you’ve lost it – it can be hard to get it back. By eliminating anything you might find distracting (your phone, music or chatty housemates) you can keep your head down… and finish sooner!
• Take a PROPER break: When you’re taking a break from writing or are finished for the day, make sure to really put your pen down. Being able to truly stop (without feeling guilty about it!) will prevent you from burning out. Go for a walk outside, read a book or do something you enjoy – but make sure to REST.
• Reward your hard work: Writing a dissertation is hard, so remember to treat yourself along the way! Celebrate all your accomplishments, even the ones that seem small. These rewards will help you stay motivated and on track for your final submission.
• Don’t compare yourself to others: Remember that everyone works at their own pace and try not to compare yourself to your coursemates. Besides, the beauty of a dissertation is that every one is different. Which means comparing your project is pointless, anyway! 
• Have a ‘writing’ playlist: Listening to music while you write your dissertation is a great way to stay in the zone, so make yourself a ‘writing’ playlist to use while you study. If you always find yourself distracted by chatting, opt for music without lyrics, like LoFi and classical tunes. 

How to Look After Your Mental Health While Writing Your Dissertation  

Prioritising your student well-being and looking after your mental health during your dissertation will not only improve your overall experience but also enhance your focus and productivity while writing. After all, you need to be in one piece to celebrate after! These tips will help you look after your mental health during this stressful time. 

• Take Regular Breaks

  It can be tempting to hole up in the house or skulk away in the library for hours on end without seeing another soul. But your brain and body need to be recharged to work at full capacity! Try to take a 30 minute break every three hours to get some fresh air, go for a short walk and do something else than just looking at a screen.

• Eat Healthily

  Brain food is power food right now. Rather than scoffing down quick snacks with no nutrients that won’t keep you full for long, eat as healthily as you can. There are tons of easy student recipes that you can whip up quickly, as well as taking last night’s leftovers into the library with you. If you can, try to cut down on caffeine, too. Don’t worry, it’s not for long!

• Stay Active

  Endorphins are a natural mood-booster, and great for keeping you motivated during dissertation season. They also help you relieve any tension and stress you’re feeling right now! Keeping active and doing regular exercise is the best way to get these endorphins, even if it’s a 30-minute walk after sitting at your desk for most of the day.

• Familiarise Yourself With the Student Support Services

  Your university Student Support Services (SSS) are there to help. If they are aware of what you’re going through, they can offer you specific support to get you through this period. Introducing yourself to them as soon as you can, even if you’re feeling okay at the moment, will make it easier to drop them an email when you’re struggling. 

• Ask for Help if You Need It

  A problem shared is a problem halved, and there is nothing wrong with asking for help. Dissertation season will likely be one of the most stressful periods of your time at university, and there is tons of support out there if you need it. As well as Student Support Services, you can lean on your advisor, friends, family members, GP and counsellor. Remember, you don’t need to do this alone!

From everyone at Ivory Research, good luck! You’ve got this.