Tip 1 – Make a schedule
This tip is probably the most important. Before you start, you should plan out a schedule for your writing. You can’t predict everything, naturally, and you’re not supposed to. A schedule will still give you a general framework however, which is nice to have when you don’t know whether you’ll finish in time 2 months into writing. A schedule can help you keep at it when the going gets tough.
Tip 2 – Get help and save some time
Time is a limited resource – most people realize that fairly quickly. Naturally, you can’t let others write parts of, or all of, your thesis or project, but there are several things you can legitimately let others do for you. That way you can focus fully on writing and research, which is what matters for your evaluation in the end. You can, for example, get help for proofreading your paper or transcribing your interviews, and then use the freed-up resources to focus on the actual contents of your paper.
Tip 3 – Write in a group
Even though you may work best alone, it can be a good idea to dedicate a day or two every week to sparring with a classmate. You can give each other input and feedback on what you’ve written during the week and help each other stay the course in the coming days.
Tip 4 – Remember to take breaks
No one can study uninterrupted for several months without taking a break. Remember that you’re a human being, not a machine. Take small breaks during the day and get some air and get your mind off your thesis or BA-project.
Tip 5 – Get out of the house
Your educational institution has facilities available at all waking hours, so make sure to use them! It makes sense not to sit at home every day – that often comes with temptations and traps that distract you from working on your thesis or BA-project.
Tip 6 – Get lots of sleep and eat healthy
An army marches on its stomach, and so it is with writing as well. It might be tempting gorging on chips, chocolate and soda, but it’s a short-lived kick at best. Yes, sugar can be fine in limited amount, when you need an extra boost of energy, but during the several months you’ll spend writing your BA-project or thesis, it’s important that you pay attention to your diet, so that you will have enough mental energy to get through the day.
Tip 7 – Use your supervisor
Having a good supervisor and making use of them can mean the difference between passing and failing. Choose your supervisor carefully, but also remember to make use of them – that’s what they’re there for, after all.
Tip 8 – Contact businesses
A specialized paper, with applicable insights and conclusions, is usually a good paper. Don’t hesitate to contact businesses or organizations to include them in your BA-project or thesis. It adds a practical element to your paper, and that can be worth its weight in gold.
Tip 9 – Remember to cite your sources
Your sources are the foundation on which your paper stands on – if they’re lacking, it all falls apart. Remember to jot down where you’ve found specific points, arguments or statistics along the way, so that you don’t need to spend time finding them again. You should also be critical of every source, whether it be a national one or a personal blog. This way, you’ll be prepared if your examiner or censor scrutinizes them during your oral defense.
Tip 10 – Start ahead of time
It might seem obvious, but the sooner you get started, the sooner you (tend to) finish. Getting started right away can also be motivating in and of itself, since you have something concrete after you put down the books at the end of a long day of work.
