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Writing a thesis is no small task—it’s intense, and often feels like an endless cycle of research, writing, and self-doubt. Recently, I came across The Learning System by Jun Yuh, which inspired me to rethink my study methods. Here’s my take on how to approach thesis writing more effectively.

I’ve realized that finishing a thesis isn’t just about gathering data or writing well—it’s about winning the mental game. If your mindset isn’t right, the process can feel impossible. So, I’ve been focusing on mental wins to stay motivated and productive while working on my thesis. Here’s what I’ve learned so far:

Effort Matters More Than Talent

For the longest time, I believed that some people were just naturally great at academic writing while others struggled. I used to think, “I’m just not a research person”. But once I started seeing mistakes as part of the learning process rather than proof that I wasn’t good enough, everything changed. Instead of giving up when I struggled with a difficult section, I started telling myself, “Okay, this is just something I haven’t mastered yet.” That little word—yet—makes a huge difference when you’re tackling something as big as a thesis.

Training My Brain to Stay Present

I’ll admit it—my attention span isn’t great. I can sit down with the best intentions, but five minutes later, I’ll find myself scrolling through my phone or thinking about literally anything other than my thesis. But focus is a skill that can be trained.

One trick that’s really helped me is the Pomodoro Technique. I set a timer for 25 minutes, work with full focus, and then take a short 5-minute break. It keeps me from burning out, and it’s way easier to commit to a short burst of focused writing than trying to power through hours of distraction-filled effort. I’ve also started keeping my phone in another room while I write. (Painful, but effective!)

Effective Study Strategies

I used to think that just sitting at my desk for hours meant I was being productive. Turns out, it doesn’t. Spaced repetition has been a game-changer for me in writing. It means revisiting material over time rather than cramming all my reading and note-taking into one long session. I schedule review sessions to go over my research notes, which keeps my understanding fresh and prevents last-minute panic when writing new chapters.

Ditching Self-Doubt

I struggled with imposter syndrome for the longest time, feeling like I wasn’t as good as other students. If I got stuck on a section, I’d immediately think, “See? I’m just not cut out for this.” But the truth is, every thesis writer struggles at some point.

Now, when negative thoughts creep in, I remind myself that academic writing is a process. Instead of saying, “I’m bad at this,” I try to say, “This is challenging, but I can improve with practice.” And when I feel overwhelmed, I take a step back and remind myself why I chose this topic in the first place. That helps me push through moments of doubt.

Seeing Success Before It Happens

This one might sound a little weird but hear me out: visualization actually works. Before starting a writing session, I take a moment to picture myself making progress. I imagine myself finishing a strong paragraph, structuring my arguments clearly, and confidently defending my thesis when the time comes.
It’s a simple trick, but it helps me feel more prepared. Athletes use this technique all the time, so why not thesis writers?

These mental wins have completely changed the way I approach my thesis. I won’t pretend I have it all figured out, but shifting my mindset, improving my focus, and using smarter writing strategies have made a huge difference.

If you’ve been feeling stuck or discouraged while writing your thesis, I hope something in here helps you too. We’ve got this!

Bibliography

Cirillo, F. (2018). The pomodoro technique: The acclaimed time management system that has transformed how we work. Currency. 

Wollstein, Y., & Jabbour, N. (2022). Spaced Effect Learning and Blunting the Forgetfulness Curve. Ear, nose, & throat journal, 101(9_suppl), 42S–46S.

Yuh, J. (2024). The Learning System: Your Everyday Tool. Retrieved from: