Some hints and tips for protecting your writing time.
As you move through the years of your PhD, protecting your writing time becomes more important than ever. Many doctoral candidates tell us that this stage feels both urgent and overwhelming. While every journey is different, three challenges frequently surface at this point: distraction, isolation and comparison. So we've got some tips:
1. Managing distraction and fragmented focus
Digital noise is one of the biggest barriers to sustained writing. Constant notifications, information overload and busy schedules can make it difficult to enter the deep concentration your thesis demands.
In your final year, clarity of focus is essential. Consider the following:
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Define a clear end goal such as submission within a specific timeframe.
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Break this into realistic milestones by month or week.
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Plan writing blocks in advance, protecting them as you would an important meeting.
Avoid comparing your timeline to anyone else’s. Doctoral candidates come from varied academic backgrounds and personal circumstances. Progress will look different for each of you. Steady, consistent effort is more important than speed.
To reduce distraction:
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Silence non-essential notifications.
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Keep your phone out of reach during writing sessions.
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Allocate set times to check email or social media.
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Consider removing apps that regularly interrupt your focus.
Even committing to one uninterrupted hour of focused writing each day can rebuild momentum and confidence.
2. Reducing isolation and building accountability
Final-year doctoral work can feel solitary, particularly if you are working remotely or have limited in-person interaction with peers. Prolonged isolation can affect motivation and, in some cases, wellbeing.
Writing alongside others, even silently, can significantly improve focus and morale. You might:
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Arrange regular shared writing sessions with peers. (We host monthly writing circles at DMU!)
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Join or form a small thesis writing group.
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Work in a communal study space rather than alone at home.
A writing partner or small group can provide encouragement during difficult phases and normalise the inevitable frustrations of doctoral work. Community strengthens persistence. You do not have to complete this stage in isolation.
If you are feeling persistently low, overwhelmed or disengaged, please reach out to support services. Early support makes a meaningful difference.
3. Managing pressure and comparison
Many final-year students feel intense pressure to strengthen their CV alongside finishing their thesis. Publications, teaching experience and funding applications can all compete for your time.
While professional development is important, your doctorate remains the priority. It can help to:
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Categorise tasks by urgency and importance.
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Accept that not everything can be done to perfection.
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Recognise that progress, even imperfect progress, is still progress.
It is natural to notice when peers appear to be advancing quickly. However, doctoral journeys are rarely comparable. Focus on your own trajectory and long-term goals rather than short-term comparisons.
4. Protecting your physical and mental wellbeing
Your health underpins your ability to complete your doctorate successfully. Extended stress, limited sleep and neglecting breaks can undermine both productivity and wellbeing.
Protecting your writing time also means protecting your energy. Make space for:
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Regular exercise, even short walks.
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Proper meals and sleep.
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Genuine breaks that allow your mind to reset.
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Social time that lifts your mood.
Rest is not a reward for finishing your thesis. It is a condition that enables you to finish it.
Completing a PhD is demanding, particularly in a competitive academic landscape and a rapidly changing research environment. Yet it is also a significant personal and intellectual achievement.
Your final year is not simply about output. It is about sustaining focus, protecting your time and maintaining your wellbeing. Write steadily. Seek connection. Care for yourself.
Most importantly, remember that you are not expected to navigate this stage alone. Support is available, and asking for it is a sign of strength, not weakness.