The Art of Writing a Thesis: A Personal Story IV.

Writing a thesis is a long, messy process. Some days, I feel unstoppable, typing away with clarity and purpose. Other days, I stare at my screen, overwhelmed by how much is left to do. What I’ve learned along the way is that staying on track isn’t just about motivation, it’s about accountability. Accountability means taking ownership of my progress, being honest about where I’m struggling, and setting up systems to keep me moving forward. It’s not always easy, but it makes all the difference in actually finishing the work. Here are things that have helped me stay accountable while writing my thesis.

Daily & Weekly Check-ins

In the past, setting vague intentions like “work on my thesis this week” gave me a false sense of productivity without the structure to follow through. I’ve since replaced that with a system of daily and weekly check-ins, which has transformed how I approach my work.

Every morning, I take 5–10 minutes to set a specific and manageable goal, something concrete like “write 500 words,” “organize references,” or “summarize two articles.” These goals help me focus my energy and prevent the overwhelm that comes from trying to do everything at once. At the end of the day, I reflect briefly: Did I meet my goal? What helped or hindered me today? If I didn’t meet it, I don’t beat myself up. Instead, I ask what I can change tomorrow? Was the goal too big? Was I distracted? Then I adjust.

Each weekend, I do a bigger-picture check-in. I look back at my weekly goals and ask: What progress did I make? What patterns do I notice in my productivity? Did I overestimate what I could do? What strategies worked well? This weekly reflection helps me plan more realistically and prevents burnout or last-minute cramming. It also helps me track long-term progress, so I don’t lose sight of how far I’ve come.

To stay organized, I use a simple planner with checkboxes. There’s something deeply satisfying about ticking off tasks. Those small wins build motivation and reinforce the idea that consistent effort pays off. These check-ins not only keep me accountable but also nurture a growth-oriented mindset, where progress is measured in small, steady steps.

Accountability Partners

Thesis writing can often feel like an isolating experience, especially when others don’t quite understand the intellectual and emotional labour involved. That’s why I’ve found it incredibly helpful to have an accountability partner, a friend who is also working on a thesis. We check in weekly to share our goals, celebrate small wins, and talk about what’s challenging us.

Knowing that someone else is waiting to hear from me gives me a gentle push to follow through on my commitments. It’s not about pressure, it’s about shared understanding and mutual support. We don’t just talk about accomplishments; we also talk about setbacks, and we remind each other that struggling doesn’t mean failing.

While I’ve found a one-on-one accountability partner helpful, others might thrive in group settings like thesis writing groups, peer review circles, or regular check-ins with supervisors. The important part is having someone who not only encourages consistency but also creates a safe space to be honest about difficulties. Accountability doesn’t have to mean judgment, it can mean encouragement, flexibility, and shared motivation.

Self-Discipline & Commitment

I used to wait for motivation to strike before working on my thesis, but I’ve learned the hard way that motivation is fleeting. One day I’d feel inspired, and the next I’d spiral into avoidance. What changed things for me was shifting my focus from motivation to self-discipline.

I began to treat thesis work like a job. I set non-negotiable work hours, even if it’s just an hour or two a day. I don’t ask myself whether I “feel like” working—I just start. More often than not, the hardest part is sitting down and opening the document. Once I do, I usually find some momentum.

Self-discipline doesn’t mean pushing myself to the limit, it means showing up consistently, respecting my boundaries, and trusting that small, steady effort adds up. Some days I’m more productive than others, and that’s okay. What matters is maintaining the habit of showing up. Over time, this has helped me build confidence in my ability to get things done, even when it’s difficult.

Progress, Not Perfection

No matter how carefully I plan, writing rarely goes smoothly. There are days when my brain feels foggy, when what I wrote yesterday doesn’t make sense today, or when unexpected life events throw off my schedule. In the past, I’d see these setbacks as personal failures. Now, I try to approach them with curiosity instead of criticism.

When something doesn’t go as planned, I ask myself: What can I learn from this? Is there a better way to structure my time? Did I need more rest? Instead of getting stuck in guilt or frustration, I focus on adapting. For example, if a section needs to be rewritten, I remind myself that rewriting is part of the process, not a sign of failure, but a sign of growth.

This mindset shift from perfection to progress has made all the difference. It allows me to recover more quickly from setbacks and maintain momentum. I’ve come to accept that the thesis process is not linear. There will be false starts, detours, and revisions. But each challenge is also an opportunity to learn more about myself and how I work best.

Holding myself accountable has completely changed the way I approach my thesis. By tracking my progress, setting clear goals, leaning on accountability partners, committing to a routine, and learning from setbacks, I’ve found a system that works for me. If you’re struggling to stay on track with your thesis, try focusing on accountability. It’s not about being perfect, it’s about being consistent, honest with yourself, and finding ways to keep moving forward. One step at a time, you’ll get there. We’ve got this!

Bibliography

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