10 important tips for writing master thesis successfully

Writing a thesis is one of the most daring undertakings you will accomplish as a student, and it requires a high degree of effort, concentration, and hard work. There are things you can do, even if you are stressed and can’t stop thinking about the final result, to ensure that your master thesis will be successful, and that you will be rewarded for all of your hard work with an amazing grade. Here are some tips that have made a world of different for master’s students:

  1. Start your thesis well in advance

Starting in advance will be your key to writing your master thesis successfully. One of the main reasons why students struggle, and don’t do as well as they could, is simply because they do not put enough preparation into their theses. This causes them to find themselves panicking towards their due date. Even months before, they will begin to get worried and anxious, and falling into this mindset of worry can cause even more procrastination.

One of the best ways to set yourself up for success is to start on your thesis as soon as you can. While in your master’s program and beginning to brainstorm topics, keep in mind what you might want to write your thesis on. This will get you better acquianted with your topic.

As soon as you know you will be writing a thesis, understand the weight of this massive undertaking and start to prepare in advance. Even if it’s simply brainstorming topics, and writing out a general outline of how you will progress through the thesis, this is still work and will count at the end when your thesis comes together.

  1. Create a general outline of where you want to progress with your thesis

A thesis contains a number of microprojects that will all need to be completed, and they will come together to form a concise paper.

Creating a timeline of how you will progress with your thesis and setting small deadlines can break the massive assignment up into different sections. This is a great way to trick yourself into thinking you have less work by focusing on one task at a time, and dedicating your time with a more narrow vision of focus.

  1. Keep in good contact with your thesis adviser/supervisor

Your adviser/supervisor is a valuable key to make sure that you stay on progress with your thesis, and also that you are on the rgiht track in structuring your paper, completing your research, and figuring out how it all ties into the bigger picture. Don’t be afraid to ask them for help, either. That’s what they’re there for, and they should be a great sounding board to bounce ideas off of, or get helpful feedback while you’re progressing.

  1. Finish your research

Research is the foundation of your thesis. Without valuable and coherent research, your thesis will not be backed up by empirical data and you will have no idea where your argument is heading.

Many master’s students believe that research should be finished first, and then the evidence and information you find should be gathered in order to build the framework of the paper. This is a very helpful method and will ensure that you stay organized, and that your research is your main source of information.

  1. Have a strong and straightforward thesis statement

The thesis statement is the literal argument that you are working so hard to defend and researching to back up this claim that you have made. If you are unsure of your thesis statement, or if there is any hint of ambiguity or uncertainty, your paper will not be convincing, and you are also more likely to go off track while writing your paper.

Knowing EXACTLY what you are arguing while conducting research is going to keep you on a straight and narrow path that will lead to the success of your paper. Without a defined thesis statement, you are sure to run into problems and lose a lot of the power that can be packed into a master thesis.

  1. Focus on one part of your thesis at a time

Producing your thesis articulately is best done once your research is complete. Keep these two processes separate in order to make sure that you do not get overwhelmed or have too much conflicting information. Complete your research, and then use this to write a convincing paper. If you really must go back and do more research, divide these  processes in order to not get overwhlemed with the information and demand of writing the paper.

  1. Read academic journals that explore similiar paths of research

One way to round out your paper and make it the best it can possibly be is to be aware of what has already been researched and published on that same subject. It can also help guide you during your research and explore different avenues that may shed new light on this area of your research. You will get a better grade for covering all of your bases and not bringing any discovery to the table that has already been discovered previously.

  1. Don’t get overwhelmed

We know it’s easier said than done, but one of the worst things a student can do when they are working away at a master thesis is get overwhelmed. It can be hard to control these emotions, as writing a thesis naturally comes with a lot of pressure. Simply organizing your time and focusing on one task at a time will prevent you from getting overwhelmed, and this will lead to a better end result, as well as a better mood while doing this research and writing.

  1. Proofread!

Once you’re (finally) done, make sure that you don’t just hand in your thesis as is. You will be more than ready to be finished with it, but proofreading is a great way to catch any of those mistakes you might have made and not noticed. Run a spellcheck, make sure everything, including sources, are formatted properly, and make sure your paper flows and is coherent for the reader. Catch any mistakes and polish off your paper so that it’s the best it can be!

You can even get someone else to take a look for you, or, if you really want to get a great grade, hire a service to help you look over your master thesis and give you helpful advice and tips.

  1. Practice and prepare for your thesis defence

It is actually easier to come up with great points for your defense while working away at your paper. Thinking about how you will present this information as you’re discovering it, comes quite naturally, and can make you feel more prepared while also tackling more than one problem at the same time.

A master thesis is a daunting undertaking. These tips will help you organize your time and keep the most important factors in mind so that you do not become overwhelmed and write a master thesis that will shine.