When I started my PhD, the dissertation loomed over me like this impossible mountain. I'd think about it and immediately feel overwhelmed—how could I possibly write 200 pages on one topic? The anxiety was so bad I avoided starting for months.
Then my advisor gave me the best advice: stop thinking about 'the dissertation' and start thinking about chapters. Then stop thinking about chapters and start thinking about sections. Break it down until each piece feels manageable. I started with my literature review, just 10 pages.
Then methodology, another 10. Slowly, piece by piece, it added up. Eighteen months later, I defended successfully. If you're wondering how to approach writing a dissertation, my advice is simple: don't look at the whole mountain. Just look at the next step. You'll get there.
Then my advisor gave me the best advice: stop thinking about 'the dissertation' and start thinking about chapters. Then stop thinking about chapters and start thinking about sections. Break it down until each piece feels manageable. I started with my literature review, just 10 pages.
Then methodology, another 10. Slowly, piece by piece, it added up. Eighteen months later, I defended successfully. If you're wondering how to approach writing a dissertation, my advice is simple: don't look at the whole mountain. Just look at the next step. You'll get there.
