Academics – from PhD students to established researchers – all face challenges in safeguarding their writing time, but for doctoral candidates three common issues stand out: managing distractions, social isolation and perceived competition with peers.
First, social media use, information overload and increasingly fragmented schedules distract students, making it hard for them to sustain deep focus on their dissertation work for long stretches.
Second, more graduate students now study and write largely on their own, often due to relocating away from home for university or interacting with supervisors and peers primarily online. This isolation can erode motivation, heighten procrastination and, in some cases, contribute to depression and other mental health challenges.
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Third, in an increasingly competitive or complex academic job market, students feel intense pressure to outpace their peers. They are expected to continually upgrade their résumé with published research papers, teaching experience and awards with a typical three- to four-year study period.
Practical strategies to help PhD students protect their writing time
Balancing these demands within limited time is a significant challenge. I have served as a PhD supervisor for over a decade. But rapid changes in higher education mean my experiences and lessons from my own PhD years now feel insufficient for addressing the needs of today’s students. I have been reflecting on this gap and would like to share a few thoughts here, with the aim of encouraging both graduate supervisors and students.
Set goals and milestones to plan writing
First, supervisors can help students define their study goal and intermediate milestones, then students can create a writing schedule accordingly. Start with an overall goal – for example, completing the degree in three or five years – and break it down into manageable time units (season, months or weeks).
Timelines don’t need to follow a one-size-fits-all format. Achievable intermediate targets will help students establish a steady routine and feel less overwhelmed when deadlines loom. I understand that maintaining pace and managing time efficiently to complete every task to a high standard is difficult within an increasingly complex work and study environment. As a supervisor, I suggest candidates group tasks according to importance and urgency. Progress does not need to be perfect to be meaningful.
Students might feel anxious if their peers seem to be progressing faster with their writing. In fact, doctoral students begin with diverse academic backgrounds, life experiences and career goals. It is natural for progress to vary. Everyone has their own pace.
Identify distractions
Students should understand and minimise their distractions and prioritise dissertation work. A dedicated study space can help with focus.
One of my PhD students, who had a part-time job, once confided that she struggled to follow her writing schedule because she kept checking her phone for work messages. I advised her to explain her situation to her boss and to check work messages only a few times per day. I then asked her to commit to an uninterrupted one-hour writing block per day, with her phone out of reach. She gradually became comfortable working at her desk without a phone nearby. Other methods I suggest for time and information management include turning off non-essential notifications, scheduling time to check social media, and even removing certain entertainment and shopping apps.
Encourage students not to work in isolation too often
Academic and social support can sustain steady motivation for writing. I often see students spending long hours alone on campus; it’s so unlike my own graduate years, when I was surrounded by colleagues and friends. I am not sure why today’s students, by choice or circumstance, so often adopt this solitary routine.
I strongly recommend writing the dissertation alongside others. It is difficult to sustain long and demanding work in isolation. Students’ companions might be lab mates, peers in similar circumstances or a writing partner they deliberately seek out. One of my students chose the third option and was greatly encouraged by her partner whenever she felt frustrated. Many writing guides emphasise how groups boost motivation and provide academic and social support. I cannot stress this enough. We thrive in community.
Don’t forget about physical and mental health
The foundation for completing a dissertation successfully is good physical and mental health. By contrast, the consequences of neglecting self-care can be significant for doctoral candidates. One of my PhD students was diagnosed with depression midway through the dissertation and had to suspend her studies.
Remind students that if they want to stay on track and write efficiently, real breaks are vital: get some exercise, watch a movie with friends, have a lighthearted chat or even tidy your room – anything that eases fatigue and leaves you refreshed will support your progress.
A successful PhD journey is never easy, especially in today’s highly competitive environment and amid the rapid advancement of AI technology. It’s not easy to comfort and help PhD students in the ever-changing situation, either, but I want to add one more thing – for student and supervisor: we live and write within a limited time; try to seize more moments for yourself.
Zhen Sun is assistant dean of the Faculty of Humanities and Arts at Macau University of Science and Technology.
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