To ensure that the quality of your work does not suffer, you must plan your time on campus carefully to make the most of it. For example, you may need to make advance reservations for classes and comply with university policies regarding access to the library and other research facilities. It is also important to recognize when additional tasks, such as teaching students or advocating for students, are taking up too much of your time; if the quality of your doctoral dissertation suffers, you may choose not to take new classes. Although university campuses, libraries, and research labs usually remain open to graduate students, you may have to do your research at home, which requires discipline and planning. You can do this by joining appropriate clubs and societies; expanding your network of doctoral students can improve your work, especially if your new friends are already working at an advanced stage. Graduate students often work alone or with limited collaboration-especially after the recent pandemic-that can leave them feeling isolated and demotivated. If any of these issues are particularly stressful for you, read our 5 ways to combat student stress and the importance of paying attention to your mental health while studying. Always remember that graduate students benefit from courses and other support to overcome any weaknesses. Papers are written to be airtight, and it will be difficult for an inexperienced researcher to detect weaknesses in a particular research paper. You can build your confidence by speaking at conferences or webinars, and your lack of motivation can be reduced by taking on varied, interesting, and rewarding assignments. This usually occurs after the initial excitement of the graduate student and is usually called the “second-year blues.” Don’t be afraid to turn down the opportunity to network, but remember that discussing your doctoral dissertation with a non-specialist can help make it better. Siddartha emphasizes that it is important to remain optimistic and talk about your feelings with other graduate students and your supervisor. You should think of your Ph.D. thesis as a full-time job and understand that a complete lack of free time can be detrimental to your health and chances of success. As for the qualifications themselves, time management is especially important when writing your dissertation.