dissertation motivation

8 Most Effective Ways to Increase Motivation for Thesis Writing 

Writing a master’s or doctoral thesis is a tough job, and many students struggle with writer’s block and putting off work. The journey requires not just skill and knowledge but a sustained motivation for thesis writing. Here are eight essential strategies to help you find and maintain your motivation to write your thesis throughout the thesis writing process.

Know why you lack motivation

It’s important to understand whether you’re just avoiding writing (procrastination) or if you genuinely don’t feel interested in it (lack of motivation). Procrastination is when you delay writing even though you want to finish it, while a lack of motivation for thesis writing is when you have no interest in writing at all. Knowing the difference helps you find the right solution. Remember, not feeling motivated doesn’t mean you can’t write; it just might be less enjoyable.

Recognize external vs. internal motivation

In the early stages of your academic journey, things like job prospects or recognition may motivate you to write your thesis. These are external motivators. Over time, they might become less effective. That’s why it’s important to develop internal motivators, like a real passion for your topic, curiosity, or wanting to make a difference in your field. Shifting to these internal motivators can keep you energized about your thesis writing for a longer period.

Develop a writing plan

As you regularly spend time on your thesis, you’ll start to overcome any initial resistance. Planning and thinking about your work will make the next steps easier. You might find yourself working more than 20 minutes some days. As you progress, plan for longer thesis writing periods and set goals for completing each chapter.

Don’t overwhelm yourself

Getting stuck is normal in thesis or dissertation writing. Don’t view these challenges as impossible obstacles. If you’re frustrated or unsure, take a break for a few days. Then, consult your advisor or a mentor to discuss your challenges and find ways to move forward effectively.

Work on your thesis daily

Try to spend 15-20 minutes daily on tasks related to your thesis or dissertation. This includes reading, researching, outlining, and other preparatory activities. You can fit these tasks into short breaks throughout your day, like waiting for appointments, during commutes, or even while cooking.

Understand that thesis writing motivation changes

Realize that thesis writing motivation isn’t always the same; it changes over time. Your drive to write will vary with different stages of your research and life changes. Knowing that motivation can go up and down helps you adapt. When you feel less motivated, focus on small, doable parts of your work instead of big, intimidating goals.

Recharge your motivation regularly

Just like you need to rest and eat well to keep your body energized, your motivation for thesis writing needs to be refreshed too. Do things that boost your mental and creative energy. This could be talking with colleagues, attending workshops, or engaging in hobbies that relax you. Stay aware of your motivation levels and take action to rejuvenate them. This way, you can avoid burnout and keep a consistent pace in your thesis work.

Keep encouraging yourself

Repeating encouraging phrases like “I will finish my thesis by year’s end” or “I’ll complete a lot of work this week” can really help. Saying these affirmations regularly can focus your energy and keep you on track with your thesis writing motivation .

Remember, the amount you write can vary each day. Some days you might write a lot, and other days less. The key is to keep writing, even if it’s just rough ideas or jumbled thoughts. Don’t let the need for perfection stop you. Listening to podcasts where researchers talk about their writing experiences can also be inspiring and motivate you in your writing journey.

Paperpal is an AI writing assistant that help academics write better, faster with real-time suggestions for in-depth language and grammar correction. Trained on millions of research manuscripts enhanced by professional academic editors, Paperpal delivers human precision at machine speed.

Try it for free or upgrade to  Paperpal Prime , which unlocks unlimited access to premium features like academic translation, paraphrasing, contextual synonyms, consistency checks and more. It’s like always having a professional academic editor by your side! Go beyond limitations and experience the future of academic writing.  Get Paperpal Prime now at just US$19 a month!

Related Reads:

How to make your thesis supervision work for you.

• 6 Tips for Post-Doc Researchers to Take Their Career to the Next Level
• How to Write a Conclusion for Research Papers (with Examples)
• Presenting Research Data Effectively Through Tables and Figures

CACTUS Joins Hands with Taylor & Francis to Simplify Editorial Process with a Pioneering AI Solution

You may also like, what is the background of a study and..., what is scispace detailed review of features, pricing,..., conceptual framework vs theoretical framework – difference and..., what is the significance and use of post-hoc..., research process steps: research procedure and examples, how to write a case study in research..., online ai writing tools: cost-efficient help for dissertation..., what are research skills definition, importance, and examples , what is phd dissertation defense and how to..., machine translation vs human translation: which is reliable....

Angola Transparency

Political Finance Questions

Compelling Research Motivation for Your Thesis

Writing a research motivation section for your dissertation is a critical step in effectively communicating the purpose and significance of your study. A well-crafted research motivation not only demonstrates your passion for the topic, but also provides a strong foundation for your research. In this expert article, we will explore the essential elements and strategies to help you write a compelling research proposal that will engage readers and demonstrate the importance of your work.

Understand the importance of personal connection

A research motivation section should begin by exploring the personal journey that led you to choose your specific research topic. Reflect on the experiences, challenges, or inspirations that piqued your interest and shaped your perspective. By sharing your personal connection, you establish authenticity and demonstrate your genuine enthusiasm for the topic.

Highlight context and background

To provide a full understanding of your research, it is essential to present the context and background of the topic. Draw on knowledge and insights from reputable sources and previous studies. Highlight the gaps, limitations, or unresolved issues in the existing literature that motivate your research. This will help position your study as a valuable contribution to the field.

Demonstrate intellectual engagement

Demonstrate your intellectual engagement by discussing key works, theories, or concepts that have influenced your thinking. Identify seminal research or influential publications that have shaped your understanding of the topic. Highlight any disagreements, contradictions, or unanswered questions that have piqued your curiosity. This demonstrates your critical thinking skills and establishes your expertise in the field.

Justify relevance and importance

Clearly articulate why your research is relevant and important, both academically and practically. Explain how your study fills a gap in knowledge, provides new insights, or contributes to theoretical advances. Discuss the potential implications and practical applications of your findings. By highlighting the significance of your research, you engage readers and emphasize the value of your work.

Connect to the broader research community

Acknowledge the broader research community by referencing studies, researchers, or institutions that have made significant contributions to your field. Show that your research is part of an ongoing dialogue and builds on existing knowledge. This demonstrates your awareness of the current state of research and positions your work within the larger scholarly discourse.

Maintain a personal and engaging tone

While maintaining a professional tone, infuse your writing with your own voice and personality. A personal and engaging tone helps create a connection with readers and makes your motivational section more relatable. Avoid excessive jargon and use clear language to ensure that your ideas are accessible to a wide audience.

Writing a compelling research motivation section is essential to setting the stage for your thesis. By combining personal insight, contextual background, intellectual engagement, and a strong rationale for relevance, you can create a compelling narrative that engages readers and underscores the importance of your research. Remember to maintain an engaging tone throughout to make your motivation section an enjoyable read. With these strategies in mind, you can confidently articulate your research motivation and leave a lasting impression on your audience.

What should I write in motivation of thesis?

In the motivation section of your dissertation, it is important to convey your enthusiasm and rationale for your research. This section serves as a compelling introduction to your study, highlighting the reasons why your research is important and worth pursuing. Here’s what to include in your motivation:

• Personal connection: Begin by sharing your personal journey and experiences that led you to choose your research topic. Explain what inspired you, any challenges you encountered, or any relevant background information that influenced your decision. Sharing your personal connection establishes authenticity and demonstrates your passion for the topic.
• Relevance and importance: Clearly articulate the relevance and significance of your research. Explain how your study fills a gap in knowledge, contributes to the field, or has practical implications. Discuss the potential impact and usefulness of your findings. By highlighting the significance of your research, you make a compelling case for its importance and justify the need for further investigation.

How do you write a good motivation for research?

Write a good research motivation:

• Begin with a compelling opening statement or anecdote.
• Clearly state the research problem and its importance.
• Provide a brief review of relevant existing literature.
• Present specific research objectives and questions.
• Emphasize the potential impact and utility of your research.
• Share your personal motivation for pursuing the topic.
• Use clear and concise language to communicate your ideas effectively.

By following these guidelines, you can create a compelling and concise research statement that engages readers and highlights the importance of your study.

What is a motivation for research?

Motivation research is a term used to refer to a selection of qualitative research methods that were designed to probe consumers’ minds in order to discover the subconscious or latent reasons and goals underlying everyday consumption and purchasing behaviors.

What is motivation part in research paper?

The motivation section explains the importance behind your research . Why should the reader care?

How do you write motivation for a project?

Introduction (1 or 2 paragraphs) Motivation Sentence Summarize the problem (1 or 2 sentences) Summarize the solution (1 or 2 sentences) Describe format of rest of proposal (sections, etc.) 2. Motivation (1 to 3 paragraphs) What is the history of the problem? Why is this problem interesting?

What is a motivation for research in students?

Students saw research as a possibility to delve into a topic and learn academic skills at the same time. Subsequently, students also mentioned that they would be motivated to do research to comply with their personal needs like their curiosity, need for challenge, and need for variety .

How do I write motivation for PhD?

Any letter of motivation should include a brief introduction specifying the programme you would like to apply for . First, state a clear career objective of your future project and the reasons for choosing this particular PhD programme. Provide the information about your previous academic and professional experience.

Why is motivational research important?

While many types of research look at what people do, motivation research looks at why they do it. This information on the motives driving human behavior is used in marketing, social sciences and a variety of fields where understanding and influencing behavior are important .

What are the types of motivation research?

The three major motivational research techniques are observation, focus groups, and depth interviews . Observation can be a fruitful method of deriving hypotheses about human motives. Anthropologists have pioneered the development of this technique.

What is research objectives motivation types of research?

Research objectives are formulated to find answers to the research question. There are two types of research objectives; general objectives and specific objectives . They define the research and make the research valid and reliable because the research becomes focused with research objectives.

What are the 4 factors of motivation?

Four factors of motivation:

• Leadership style. Management style deeply impacts motivation.
• The reward system. As a manager, ensure you have a clear evaluation system in place that motivates employees.
• The organizational climate. Otherwise known as workplace culture.
• The structure of work. Is the work rewarding?

What is a motivating example?

A motivating example provides motivation for a definition, a theorem, or even the whole paper . A running example is an example that is recalled time and again during the paper, applying the newly discovered knowledge to it, presumably to show how things work.

What is motivation in your own words?

Motivation is the process that initiates, guides, and maintains goal-oriented behaviors . It is what helps you lose extra weight, for instance, or pushes you to get that promotion at work. In short, motivation causes you to act in a way that gets you closer to your goals.

How do I write a motivational letter for a masters?

How to write an outstanding motivation letter for your Masters

• Prepare a summary. Now, before actually starting to write your motivation letter, it is a very bright idea to summarise the main points that you will be focusing on.
• Organisation and structure.
• Proceed with the writing process.

What motivates one to write?

They’re focused on getting a response from readers or inspiring change . Sometimes the greatest satisfaction comes from seeing the impact being a writer has on their own lives. We all feel these motivations to some degree, but there’ll be one or two which are present in everything we do because we can’t help ourselves.

What is the term motivation?

How do you introduce a chapter in a thesis.

How to write an introduction chapter for a thesis

• Capture the reader’s interest.
• Give an overview of your research topic.
• Detail how your research is going to make a contribution.
• Explain what your interest is in the topic.
• List your research objectives.
• Give a forthcoming chapter overview.
• Learn from others.

How do you start a thesis introduction?

Stages in a thesis introduction

• state the general topic and give some background.
• provide a review of the literature related to the topic.
• define the terms and scope of the topic.
• outline the current situation.
• evaluate the current situation (advantages/ disadvantages) and identify the gap.

How do you write background and motivation in a project report?

Typically, a well-written background should do the following:

• Introduce the broad area of research leading up to the topic.
• Briefly summarize previous research to accentuate progress in the field.
• Identify gaps in knowledge that remain unaddressed.
• Justify why these gaps need to be addressed.

Related posts:

• Acing Your Thesis Defense: A Comprehensive Guide to Success
• The Significance of a Thesis Statement in Process Analysis
• How to Defend Your Research: A Comprehensive Guide
• What is a Research Plan for a Research Paper?
• How do you write an argumentative essay for immigration?
• Motivation in Organizational Behavior: Theories, Importance, and Strategies

The “15-minute rule” is one of my favorite motivation and productivity strategies. Bolker (1998) recommended that students begin by writing for an absolute minimum of 10 minutes everyday and then expand to 15 minutes and then to longer periods of time. Bolker suggested that students make a commitment that no matter what, they will absolutely write for 10 minutes a day. Bolker said, “anyone can write for 10 minutes a day, particularly if one is freewriting” (p. 41). I usually recommend that students work for a minimum of 15 minutes but the number is somewhat arbitrary so long as it is enough time to help you get warmed up to working on your dissertation.

Making the transition on a daily basis from not being engaged in dissertation work to actually sitting down and putting words on a page, analyzing data, reading, etc. can be very tough. Many people find that committing to dissertation work for a relatively short amount of time such as 15 minutes makes it easier to make the transition to a meaningful work session. The 15-minute rule means that you commit every day (at least the days you plan to work) to work for at least 15 minutes no matter what. Here is how it works. You commit to working on any relevant part of your dissertation for an absolute minimum of 15 minutes. I recommend setting a timer if possible. Some of my clients actually buy an egg timer at the supermarket or use a sports watch as their 15-minute rule dissertation timer. You set the timer and then start working. If you are writing, write with abandon, letting go of concerns about sentence structure, flow, spelling, or grammar. You just write your ideas as they come out of your head. If negative critical voices pop in your head you can write down what they have to say. If you extraneous thoughts pop into your head, write them down too with the aim of getting back to your dissertation and staying on task as much as possible. When the 15 minutes is over, you can stop and highlight what you want to keep and the rest you will ignore. Or you can keep going if you are so inspired. Often, my clients tell me that once the 15 minutes are over, they feel “warmed up” to writing and it is easier to continue. A short period of forced writing, where you commit to writing no matter how much you do not feel like working, can often get you over the motivational hump and lead to a productive writing session. Sometimes, students need several planned 15-minute periods in a day to help them stay on course as motivation and energy because writing ebbs and flows throughout the day for most writers.

The 15-minute rule can be a great way to deal with the basic fact that warming up dissertation work can be unpleasant. No matter how detailed your action plan and timelines or how inspired you felt the night before, when you wake up in the morning you may feel like a thick fog of apathy rolled in during your sleep. The next thing you know, hours, even days go by and you have completed little or no meaningful work. Inspiration and motivation rarely come from inaction. Every day you intend to work but do nothing puts you at risk of becoming disengaged from your dissertation and makes it that much harder to get started in your next work session. It is often the act of writing, making discoveries, articulating and connecting ideas, or analyzing data or sources that will inspire and motivate you.

Am I saying that you need to work first before you are motivated and inspired? Yes. Sure there are times when you are rearing to go first thing in the morning. But if you wait for those days to just happen to you, your dissertation may to take a long time to complete. I suggest that you commit to working a minimum of 15 minutes two to three times a day as a way to get your intellectual juices flowing and to motivate yourself when you are struggling to work consistently. Staying connected to your dissertation, outlines, ideas, argument, intellectual quandaries, data, what you have written, and what you hope to write on a regular basis are important ways to keep the fires of motivation and inspiration alive. Do your best to write or do other dissertation work for at least 15 minutes. When the 15 minutes is over, push yourself to go for 5, 10, or 15 more. Stretch out the work for as long as you can. Then plan another 15-minute session later in the day and repeat your efforts to stretch the work session longer. If you consistently engage in the 15-minute rule, you will likely be able to work for longer periods of time on a regular basis.

References:

Bolker. J. (1998). Writing Your Dissertation in Fifteen Minutes a Day. New York, NY: Henry Holt

This article was written by Alison Miller, PhD, owner of The Dissertation Coach, a business dedicated to helping doctoral and master’s students successfully earn their graduate degrees.

Copyright August 2007 by Alison Miller, Ph.D., The Dissertation Coach

How To Be A Productive & Motivated Graduate Student

• 910.250.8767
• Write Beginner Drafts to Make Writing Happen
• Learn to Let Go of Perfectionism
• Maintain a Rational, Positive Outlook
• Learn to Better Tolerate Ambiguity
• Stop Competing with Others
• Make Your Dissertation Your Priority
• Use the 15-Minute Rule to Progress Your Dissertation or Thesis – It Works!
• Plan Small Actions to Start the Day
• Make the Transition Into Your Work
• Get Set Up For Each Work Day
• Manage Your Work Environment
• Minimize Distractions
• Increase Your Sense of Accountability
• Read Other Dissertations
• Conduct an “Email Intervention”
• Push Through
• Seek Support
• Revise With A Strategy
• Back Up Your Work
• Take Good Care of Yourself
• Acknowlede Yourself & Your Accomplishments Along the Way

Purdue Online Writing Lab College of Liberal Arts

Setting Goals & Staying Motivated 

Welcome to the Purdue OWL

This page is brought to you by the OWL at Purdue University. When printing this page, you must include the entire legal notice.

Copyright ©1995-2018 by The Writing Lab & The OWL at Purdue and Purdue University. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, reproduced, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without permission. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our terms and conditions of fair use.

This vidcast talks about how to set goals and how to maintain motivation for long writing tasks. When setting goals for a writing project, it is important to think about goals for the entire project and also goals for specific writing times. These latter goals should be specific, measurable, and manageable within the time allotted for writing. The section on motivation shares ideas for boosting motivation over the course of a long writing project. The handouts on goal-setting and staying productive, as well as the scholarly writing inventory, complement the material in this vidcast and should be used in conjunction with it. 

Note: Closed-captioning and a full  transcript  are available for this vidcast. 

Handouts 

Goal-Setting for your Personal Intensive Writing Experience (IWE) | [PDF]

This handout guides writers through the important process of goal-setting for the personal Intensive Writing Experience. Specifically, it talks about how to (1) formulate specific, measurable, and reasonable writing goals, (2) set an overall IWE goal, (3) break up the overall goal into smaller, daily goals, and (4) break up daily goals into smaller goals for individual writing sessions. Writers are prompted to clear their head of distracting thoughts before each writing session and, after each session, to debrief on their progress and recalibrate goals as needed. 

Scholarly Writing Inventory (PDF) 

This questionnaire helps writers identify and inventory their personal strengths and weaknesses as scholarly writers. Specifically, writers are prompted to answer questions pertaining to (1) the emotional/psychological aspects of writing, (2) writing routines, (3) research, (4) organization, (5) citation, (6) mechanics, (7) social support, and (8) access to help. By completing this questionnaire, scholarly writers will find themselves in a better position to build upon their strengths and address their weaknesses. 

Stay ing Productive for Long Writing Tasks (PDF)

This resource offers some practical tips and tools to assist writers in staying productive for extended periods of time in the face of common challenges like procrastination. It discusses how the process of writing is more than putting words on a page and offers suggestions for addressing negative emotions towards writing, such as anxiety. The handout also lays out helpful methods for staying productive for long writing tasks: (1) time-based methods, (2) social-based methods, (3) output-based methods, (4) reward-based methods, and (5) mixed methods. 

• Resources ›
• For Students and Parents ›
• Graduate School ›
• Tips & Advice ›

Stop Procrastinating to Complete Your Dissertation

Part 1: Initial Steps

• Tips & Advice
• Choosing a Graduate Program
• Admissions Essays
• Recommendation Letters
• Medical School Admissions
• Homework Help
• Private School
• College Admissions
• College Life
• Business School
• Distance Learning
• Ph.D., Developmental Psychology, Fordham University
• M.A., Developmental Psychology, Fordham University

Are you an ABD (All-But-Dissertation) student? Doctoral dissertation looming over your head like an ominous black cloud? The dissertation is the most difficult and time-consuming academic requirement a doctoral student faces. It's way too easy to procrastinate and put off writing your dissertation under the guise, "I need to read more before I can write." Don't fall into that trap!

Don't let your dissertation drag you down. Stop your procrastination. Why do we procrastinate? Research suggests that students often procrastinate when they perceive the dissertation as an overwhelming task. Big surprise, huh? Motivation is the biggest problem that grad students face in writing the dissertation.

A Lonely Time

The dissertation is a time consuming and lonely process that usually takes about two years (and often longer). The dissertation often is a major blow to a graduate student's self-esteem. It is not uncommon to feel as if it's an insurmountable task that will never be completed.

Organization and Time Management are Key

The keys to completing the dissertation promptly are organization and time management. The lack of structure is the difficult part of the dissertation because the student's role is to plan, carry out, and write up a research project (sometimes several). A structure must be applied in order to complete this task.

One way of providing structure is to view the dissertation as a series of steps, rather than as one mammoth task. Motivation may be maintained and even enhanced as each small step is completed. Organization provides a sense of control, holds procrastination at minimal levels, and is key to completing the dissertation. How do you get organized?

Outline the small steps needed to complete this large project. All too often, students may feel that their only goal is to finish the thesis. A goal this large may feel indomitable; break it down into the component tasks. For example, at the proposal stage, the tasks may be organized as follows: thesis statement , literature review, method, plan for analyses. 

Each of these tasks entails many smaller tasks. The list for the literature review may consist of an outline of the topics you wish to discuss, with each outlined as detailed as possible. You may even wish to list relevant articles in the appropriate places within the outline. The method will consist of the participants, including items on locating them, rewards, drafting informed consent forms, locating measures, describing psychometric properties of the measures, piloting measures, drafting the procedure, etc.

The hardest parts of writing your dissertation is starting and staying on track. So how do you write your dissertation? Read on for tips on how to write your dissertation and successfully complete your graduate program .

Start Anywhere

In terms of completing your list of dissertation tasks, it is not necessary to start at the beginning. In fact, believing that one starts the dissertation proposal by writing his or her introduction and thesis and ends with the plan for analyses will detain progress. Begin where you feel comfortable and fill in the gaps. You will find that you gain momentum with the completion of each small task. Feeling overwhelmed by any particular task is a sign that you have not broken it down into small enough pieces.

Make Consistent Progress Writing Every Day, Even if Only for a Short Period.

Set aside periods of time to write on a regular basis. Establish a firm schedule. Train yourself to write in short blocks, for at least an hour a day. All too often we insist that we need large blocks of time to write. Blocks of time certainly help the writing process, but the ABD often lacks such resources. 

For example, when we were writing the dissertation, we taught 5 classes as an adjunct at 4 different schools; blocks of time were difficult to find, other than over the weekend. Aside from pragmatics, writing at least a little every day keeps the thesis topic fresh in your mind, leaving you open to new ideas and interpretations. You may even find yourself thinking about it and making conceptual progress as you complete mundane tasks such as driving to and from school and work.

Use Incentives to Assist You in Overcoming Procrastination.

Writing requires consistent, well-organized effort and a system of self-imposed incentives to overcome procrastination . What kind of incentives work? Although it depends on the individual, a safe bet is taking time off from work. We found vegetation time such as time spent playing computer games to be helpful as an incentive to reinforce progress.

Methodically Break Through Writer's Block.

When it is difficult to write, talk through your ideas to anyone who will listen, or just talk out loud to yourself. Write out your thoughts without criticizing them. Take time to warm up, by writing to clear your thoughts. Get the ideas out without scrutinizing each sentence; it is often easier to edit than it is to write.

Work through your ideas by writing, THEN edit extensively. You will write many drafts of each section of the dissertation; a first (second, or even third) draft need not approach perfection. In addition, it is acceptable to use dashes to mark when you cannot find the appropriate word to express your idea, but want to go on; just remember to fill in the dashes later. The important thing is that you develop a pattern of producing some output regularly that output can be edited or even thrown out, but it is important to produce something.

Recognize and Accept the Fact That Writing Is a Time-consuming Process. Don't Rush Yourself.

No draft will be perfect that first time around. Expect to go through several drafts of each section of your dissertation. Once you feel comfortable with a particular section, take time away from it. Ask others to read your writing and consider their comments and criticisms with an open mind. After a few days or a week, reread the section and edit again; you may be quite surprised by the impact of a fresh perspective.

Writing the dissertation is much like running a marathon. The seemingly insurmountable may be attained through a series of small goals and deadlines. Accomplishing each small goal may provide additional momentum. Make consistent progress each day, use incentives to assist you in attaining your goals, and acknowledge that the dissertation will require time, hard work, and patience. Finally, consider the words of Dag Hammarskjold: "Never measure the height of a mountain, until you have reached the top. Then you will see how low it was."

• Graduate School Papers and You
• A Note About Masters and Doctoral Comprehensive Exams
• Asking Faculty to Sit on Your Dissertation Committee
• What is Grad School Like?
• 8 Tips for Taking Notes from Your Reading
• Avoid These Common Mistakes Students Make in Grad School
• You Missed Class: What Do You Do?
• 6 Tips to Read More in Less Time
• 8 Tips to Prepare for Your Comprehensive Examination
• 6 Reasons to Read Before Class
• Time Management Tips for Graduate Students
• How to Get Help from Your Professor
• What to Do the Summer Before You Start Grad School
• Organization Tips for Graduate Students
• Is Grad School Harder Than College?
• Improve Your Reading Speed and Comprehension With the SQ3R Method

10 tips to motivate you to write the bachelor's or master's Thesis

Toni was no longer motivated to write his thesis.  He's stuck waiting for it to come back. Unfortunately, it's not coming back on its own. Toni's gotta do something.

Here are some effective methods and techniques to overcome any lack of motivation. You can start using them right now, and they will even continue to serve you later in life. Surely you are already familiar with one or two of the techniques.

Motivation 1: "Intermediate wins"!

Success is fun... Many small successes can even make the thesis fun. So try something: quickly search for 20 sources with Google Scholar, design the first outline, collect the questions for the questionnaire or for your interviews, format the tables and figures, sort the English articles, make appointments with your supervisor or contact persons etc. then celebrate each of your small and quick successes as they will help you get past blockades!

We once made a whole list of so-called no-brainers here. These are small routine jobs that require little intellect but must be done. No-brainer functions as tangible little rewards because your success is quickly apparent. Enjoy getting things done!

Motivation 2: Processing small tasks in batches

They are annoying, but they must be done: Small necessary tasks like scanning and copying, ordering books, making appointments, formatting, checking something or filing web pages...

If you don’t have enough motivation to write, analyze or do something similarly strenuous at the moment, then complete these tasks. Checking items off will bring new motivation very quickly! And this flow of tasks brings you back into the “getting things done” mood!  

Motivation 3: Set an appointment with your thesis supervisor

A task that is wonderfully suited to be completed when you’re stuck in the motivation hole: making an appointment with your supervisor. All you need to do is give them a quick call or send them a short e-mail. You don't have to meet right away. Appointments like this need a few days' notice. What luck! You can be sure that the days leading up to the consultation will be very productive. And what should you discuss with your supervisor? Show and discuss the results of your latest efforts.

Motivation 4: Fixed times for the hard tasks!

We all prefer to postpone hard tasks. And that makes it even harder... Set fixed times for a task. Designate each morning from 8.00 to 12.30 to writing and use the afternoon for research and reading. Habits help break excuses. You'd be surprised.

Motivation 5: Big rewards for success!

Immediate motivation comes from the achievement of intermediate goals. Treat yourself then! For example, you could go to the movies after 10 pages of writing, buy new shoes after you've finished all the expert interviews or go out to dinner when that darn bibliography is finally finished. Enjoy getting things done!

Motivation 6: Do something besides the thesis!

A second project other than the thesis can help motivate you to work on the thesis. Sounds weird but it's true. If you limit the hours you work on your thesis to fewer hours per day, you can be more productive. Work on other issues like polishing your application, learning another language or programming a video game (just kidding…). If you have less time to work on your thesis, you will increase the "pressure in the boiler" and thus your focus.

Motivation 7: Celebrate your "rituals" during the thesis!

We as humans are creatures of habit and love rituals. When working on your bachelor's or master’s thesis, listen to a power song over and over again (try power songs on Spotify). Organize your desk in the morning, go for a walk at 1pm, browse YouTube in the morning to dispel sorrow and worries, etc...

If you don't have to worry about your daily routine, you can spend more time thinking about your thesis. Enjoy getting things done!

Motivation 8: Define and eliminate obstacles and distractions that will prevent you from writing

When you are stuck in the motivational hole, ask yourself: "What exactly is stopping me from continuing to write this chapter now? Why am I allowing the conclusion chapter to put me in a bad mood?"

Extra tip: Record a description of your current problem to an audio file and listen to it again tomorrow! You’ll be laughing at yourself. Do that every day and you don't be such a crybaby anymore.

Motivation 9: Compare yourself!

This is not the best advice for every situation but it can help when you’re stuck in the motivation hole. This is the so-called pilgrimage effect: you see others who are much worse off, who have critical diseases...

So go to the library, browse the shelves and calm down. You are not suffering alone. The thesis is not the end of your life but only the end of your career as a student! Enjoy getting things done!

Motivation 10: Follow-up project - life after the thesis

Everything has an end! Even if it is absolutely unimaginable for you just now: The moment will come when your bachelor's or master's thesis is printed and in front of you. Close your eyes and dream about it. You might want to do that every day...

Follow-up projects are very different for everyone. You could be going on a trip, searching for a new job, applying for an exotic internship, planning a wedding or starting a business. Thinking about what’s next will give you new energy and motivation. Write down that project and stick it to the pin board!

Good luck writing your text! Silvio and the Aristolo Team

PS: Check out the Thesis-ABC and the Thesis Guide for writing a bachelor or master thesis in 31 days.

The Graduate College at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

• The desire to meet or exceed personal standards and expectations
• The opportunity to make a unique contribution within a field
• The work is experienced as interesting, challenging, or inspiring
• There are strong incentives (e.g., financial) to work on the project
• There are positive feelings (e.g., pride) associated with the work
• There are negative feelings (e.g., anxiety) associated with not meeting a deadline
• There is a desire for the recognition and approval from colleagues
• There are likely to be periods of boredom or disinterest while working on large projects 
• The amount of motivation you have may fluctuate depending on the task or the particular day
• There will be times when it is necessary to work when you have little or no motivation 
• There are relatively few deadlines associated with the thesis, so it will not be possible to rely on them for motivation
• There may be limited opportunities for collaboration, which may affect motivation
• The ability to establish a work schedule that does not rely on motivation
• The ability to work productively whenever there are no imminent deadlines
• The ability to identify aspects of the work that are potential sources of motivation
• The ability to collaborate with others in ways that increase motivation

Motivation and Productivity