Writing A Dissertation Part-Time
How to manage work, family and a research project (without losing your mind).
By: Derek Jansen (MBA) | Expert Reviewer: Dr. Eunice Rautenbach | October 2024
Writing a dissertation is no easy task. Add a full-time job and family responsibilities into the mix, and it can feel overwhelming.
In this post, we’ll walk you through practical tips to help you stay on track with your dissertation or thesis while continuing to meet your work and family commitments.
Set (and communicate) clear boundaries
First up, let’s talk about boundaries. If you’re balancing a dissertation with work and family, setting clear boundaries is critical to maintaining your sanity.
Establishing firm lines between your work, study, and personal life can prevent burnout. This means communicating with your employer about your study commitments and letting your family know when you need quiet, uninterrupted time to focus.
In practical terms, it’s a good idea to set fixed hours each day for study, ensuring that your family knows not to disturb you during those times. By doing this, you’ll create a mental separation between your roles, which makes it easier to switch between them.
Manage time like it’s money
Time management is the backbone of balancing multiple commitments. Creating a structured schedule helps you keep track of your deadlines, work obligations, and dissertation progress.
The key here is prioritisation. A good place to start is by making a weekly or daily to-do list. Identify which tasks are the most critical and tackle those first. For example, if you know your proposal is due in a month, break it down into smaller milestones, such as completing your literature review or drafting your methodology section.
Using tools like Google Calendar or a project management app like Trello can also help you stay organised. These tools allow you to visually plan your tasks, making it easier to allocate time for work, study, and family activities. Don’t forget to build some flexibility into your schedule – life happens, and having a little buffer can save you a lot of stress.
Leverage the “little” time slots
When you’re pressed for time, every moment counts, no matter how small. You don’t always need hours of uninterrupted focus to make progress. Small windows of time, like your lunch break or commute, can be surprisingly productive.
Let’s say you’re commuting to work. Instead of zoning out or scrolling through social media, use that time to listen to podcasts related to your research topic (a quick nod to the Grad Coach Podcast). If you have 15 minutes before a meeting, you can review a journal article or brainstorm ideas for your next chapter.
Apps like Evernote or Google Keep are great for jotting down quick notes when inspiration strikes. By using these “micro-moments,” you can keep moving forward with your dissertation, even when your schedule feels packed.
Delegate the non-essentials
One of the best ways to lighten your load is by delegating tasks. You don’t have to do everything yourself, whether at work or at home.
If you’re managing a household, talk to your partner or family members about sharing responsibilities. Can someone else take on the school runs a few days a week? Could you get help with household chores or meal prep?
At work, if you’re in a leadership role, consider delegating tasks to colleagues when appropriate. Many employers are supportive of staff who are pursuing further education, so don’t be afraid to speak to your manager about adjusting your workload temporarily.
Delegation doesn’t just free up time—it reduces mental clutter, allowing you to focus on your research when you sit down to study.
Align your dissertation with your career
If you can link your research to a work-related issue, you’ll be able to contribute to your professional development while also advancing your dissertation.
For example, if you work in HR and you’re studying organisational behaviour, you could choose a dissertation topic that investigates a challenge your company is facing. Not only does this allow you to use workplace data for your research, but it also adds value to your job by potentially providing solutions to real-world problems.
If this alignment is possible, discuss it with your employer. You may even find that your workplace is willing to support you, whether that’s through offering resources or giving you some extra flexibility.
Push hard – but don’t kill yourself.
It’s easy to fall into the trap of overworking when you’re balancing so many things. But remember, burnout is real, and it can derail both your professional and academic progress.
The best way to avoid this is by being kind to yourself and planning regular breaks. Taking time off to recharge isn’t a luxury—it’s a necessity. You’ll come back to your work and studies feeling refreshed and more focused.
A good technique is the Pomodoro Method, where you work for 25 minutes and then take a 5-minute break. After four “Pomodoros,” take a longer break of 15-30 minutes. This method prevents mental fatigue and helps you maintain productivity over longer periods.
Leverage your support network.
Finally, don’t hesitate to ask for help when you need it. Balancing work, study, and family is tough, and there’s no shame in leaning on your support network.
Your dissertation supervisor is there to guide you academically, so use their expertise. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, talk to them about adjusting deadlines or getting extra feedback. On the home front, communicate openly with your family about how they can support you during busy periods. Even small gestures, like taking over daily chores, can make a huge difference.
In some cases, professional help might be useful too. Many students find that hiring a dissertation coach or joining a support group can give them the extra motivation and accountability they need to stay on track.
Wrapping up
Balancing your dissertation with a full-time job and family is challenging, but it’s not impossible. With the right approach, you can complete your dissertation while continuing to thrive in your career and personal life. You’ve got this!
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