Getting Help Writing a PhD Dissertation

Remember the days when your mom and dad would help you with your homework? Those days are probably long behind you, and now you’re struggling with the most advanced homework of your life. Where are you supposed to turn for help? You might want to try some of the following:

• Your Supervisor. Your supervisor wasn’t assigned to you as a babysitter; he or she is your ultimate resource for finishing your PhD. You consult with your supervisor on research and results, and he or she should also be the first person you turn to when you have difficulties with your writing. Make an appointment to see your advisor and go in with specific questions prepared so that you don’t waste your supervisor’s time with vague expressions of frustration and helplessness.
• The University Writing Resource Center. Almost every university has a writing resource center available. At these centers, gifted student writers offer free assistance with all stages of the writing process. Even if the writing tutors there aren’t intimately familiar with your research, they know how to spot errors and eliminate awkward wording. Even if you have nothing written and no clue where to begin, the writing resource center will be able to point you in the right direction and get those crucial first words down on paper.
• A Thesis Coach. A thesis or dissertation coach is much like a life coach, if life coaches had a single-minded focus on you getting your PhD. A dissertation coach won’t actually do any writing for you or read your paper; instead, he or she is there to keep you organized, help you set goals and teach you to manage and overcome stress and procrastination. Having someone to hold you accountable can be a just the thing a floundering PhD student needs to stick to a writing schedule and get the dissertation done. Dissertation coaches themselves are PhD holders, and their services are not free, so be sure to budget for this kind of PhD help.
• Professional Editing Services like MyDissertations. For people who struggle with grammar or simply hate to edit, professional editing services can be an incredibly useful tool for producing a passable dissertation. These paid services charge by the page, and ensure that your thesis is free from typos, grammatical and syntax errors, poor wording and improper citations. You can find a wide variety of professional editing services online; be sure to check customer reviews to make sure the service you choose is legitimate. Using a professional editing service can even be motivation to get your dissertation done early, since prices are typically much higher for rush-order editing.