How do you plan your thesis work?

Step-by-step plan for drawing up a good plan

Below, we explain what you can do.

Step 1. Make a list of everything you need to do

Begin by making a comprehensive list in which you note down all of the tasks that need to be done. If a task appears too large, break it down into smaller, more manageable pieces. It is often beneficial to initially jot down the main components and then create a mind map to capture all of the intricate details. For instance, when working on a thesis, your primary tasks would include establishing the structure, conducting research, developing the findings, and writing the actual thesis. For the research phase, you will need to decide which research methodology to utilize (qualitative or quantitative), ensure that the questionnaire is prepared on time, and properly schedule interviews or distribute surveys promptly.

Step 2. Determine the deadlines and time per step

Identify the deadlines. Your course usually has a overall schedule indicating which section should be completed and by when. Use this as a reference point. Then estimate the amount of time required for each section. Calculate the total time and you will know how much time you need to complete the course before the deadline.

Step 3. Write behind the deadlines what you are going to do and how much time you will spend on it

Create a list of all the dates leading up to your deadlines. Write down the number of hours you plan to dedicate to your thesis on each specific date. Calculate the total number of hours to determine the amount of time available until your deadlines.

Step 4. Draw up a clear plan

Then you organize everything into a plan. You decide which tool to use for this. A lot of people prefer a paper agenda, while others opt for a digital one.

• You begin by organizing your activities, such as attending lectures, working at your internship, and fulfilling your commitments at your part-time job.
• Additionally, you allocate time for personal activities and ensure you have dedicated time for relaxation.
• Once you have completed steps 1, 2, and 3, you are aware of the tasks you need to accomplish, the deadlines, and the number of hours per day you have available to work on your thesis and research.
• You can then compare: Is the time you have available sufficient to complete everything before your deadline? And if not, can you create space somewhere? For example, maybe you can schedule another activity later? Or perhaps you should work fewer days at your part-time job?

Because you have a better understanding of the tasks to be done and when to do them, you will find that you can be more relaxed during the planned free moments.

Tip: Work with a daily schedule

If you establish a routine of starting each day with a daily schedule, you will not forget anything. This practice also brings about peace of mind.

Every day, you jot down all the tasks you have for that day. For instance, if you have to conduct and transcribe telephone interviews, each interview takes 30 minutes, note-taking requires 1 hour, and transcribing also takes 1 hour. Thus, conducting one interview will take up 2.5 hours.

You can use symbols to indicate whether a task has been completed or if it needs to be rescheduled for the following day. By allocating half an hour each day to plan for the next day, you can effectively keep track of everything.

Get help if it doesn’t work!

With the right approach, you will waste less time and energy. Our thesis coaches assists students in making progress, and our thesis supervisors have extensive experience in drafting effective and feasible plans. With our guidance, you can graduate faster, with higher quality, and in a more relaxed manner!