Conducting the research necessary to formulate and back up a thesis proposal takes a significant amount of time. It can take years for some students.The breadth and depth of your research must be comprehensive enough to give you a deep, thorough understanding of your topic, which may be complex and nuanced. Ph.D. students may find themselves surprised and intimidated by the amount of research they must conduct, but to write an effective paper, this legwork is unavoidable.
Once you have amassed the information you need to get started, you may find your momentum coming to a screeching halt. With so much information, knowing where to start can be difficult. Ph.D. students may have difficulty in these early stages because they require careful analysis of their research. Structuring and outlining their findings may involve making a long, complex argument.
Writing a dissertation may take years of commitment. Staying motivated throughout is difficult for some students. Not only must you deal with the feelings of anxiety that accompany such a high-stakes, drawn-out process, but you must keep yourself motivated to work even when you know you will not be finished for a long time. Some Ph.D. students have difficulty setting reasonable goals for themselves and therefore feel insecure and intimidated by the seemingly insurmountable amount of writing they have yet to finish.
Ph.D. students may become so consumed by their work that they need to step away from it. While working on a dissertation takes intense dedication and commitment, it is equally important to budget time in your schedules for social activities, friends, family and downtime. Writing non-stop for long periods of time can make stress levels skyrocket, so scheduling time to take a break from writing is crucial to maintaining a healthy attitude.