Want to keep your dissertation on track? A strong thesis also depends on a positive relationship with your advisor. Here are eight ways to keep them happy during the doctoral dissertation writing process. Let’s dive in.
If you are writing a doctoral dissertation, you know it takes more than just doing the research well. What often makes the biggest difference is your connection with your advisor. A good working relationship can guide you through challenges, keep your progress steady, and make the whole journey less stressful.
Why does this matter so much? Because your supervisor serves as both a gatekeeper and a mentor. If you keep them happy, it doesn’t mean you lose your independence; it means you are building a collaborative partnership. It helps in everything from choosing a dissertation topic for your PhD to dissertation defence preparation.
This guide is inspired by the experiences of Ewan N., a former dissertation supervisor who is now part of the team at The Academic Papers UK, the most trusted PhD dissertation writing service in London. It provides eight practical ways to maintain a strong advisor-advisee relationship during the PhD dissertation writing process.
Let’s dive in.
Table of Contents
Here you will learn;
According to Capella University, a doctoral dissertation is often referred to as a PhD thesis in the UK. It is all about research, critical thinking, and intellectual contribution to a chosen field of study.
A doctoral dissertation is expected to make an original contribution to knowledge. It is not simply a long essay, but it is a demonstration of your ability to ask meaningful research questions, design a methodology, and analyse data critically. A typical doctoral dissertation ranges between 60,000 and 120,000 words, although this varies by discipline, according to the Times Higher Education.
The structure of a doctoral dissertation usually includes:
Some universities also require extra sections, such as:
What makes the dissertation unique is not just its length, but its role as the final hurdle before becoming an independent scholar. The document must be defended in a viva voce, where examiners assess the candidate’s depth of knowledge and ability to defend their work under critical scrutiny.
When it comes to writing your doctoral dissertation, your advisor is not only there to check your work but also to guide your research journey and help you stay on track. But to make this relationship work, you need to know what they expect from you.
Every advisor has a different style of supervision, and understanding that early will save you from confusion later. Here are the top 8 ways to keep your supervisor happy:
Your advisor is not your mind reader; each professor has their own preferences and professional boundaries. Some prefer formal weekly meetings, while others prefer quick, informal check-ins. Some professors provide detailed written feedback, and some of them only write short comments on your draft.
To build trust, it’s essential to understand these preferences. You should ask early:
For example, if your advisor expects you to complete the dissertation literature review for doctoral research in three months, but you assume it will take six, then you may encounter a problem. So you must clarify timelines to avoid misunderstandings. These things set mutual expectations for pace.
Pro Tip: You should not be afraid to ask questions, which you might think of as “silly” questions, upfront. It will help you avoid reworking three months of writing due to crossed wires.
You should communicate regularly with your advisor. Radio silence is the fastest way to worry your advisor. If you do structured communication, it will signal professionalism and commitment. It will improve your relationship with your advisor. If you want to do bi-weekly meetings or monthly progress updates, keep it consistent.
Tip: Use shared tools like Google Docs or project trackers to keep updates clear and ensure accountability.
Advisors get easily frustrated when students show up unprepared, with no notes or clear ideas. Missing deadlines or coming to meetings disorganised not only wastes their time but also slows down your own progress. Being proactive means you should anticipate questions before your advisor raises them.
For example, if you’re drafting your dissertation research methodology chapter, you should prepare a short justification for why you chose qualitative research instead of quantitative. This type of preparedness shows initiative, and it saves you from long back-and-forth emails.
Here are some practical ways to stay organised:
Pro Tip: You should treat your dissertation like a project that needs proper management. Advisors respect students who see it as a professional commitment rather than just a loose academic exercise.
Your advisor is there to guide you, but they don’t want to carry you. So they appreciate students who take ownership of their projects. That means:
When working on your doctoral dissertation literature review, you may come across a new dataset that seems relevant. Instead of waiting for your advisor to suggest including it; take the initiative and bring it up yourself. Doing this shows both curiosity and a proactive attitude.
Pro Tip: Attend seminars and academic talks outside your topic. Advisors notice when you bring fresh perspectives from other disciplines into your dissertation discussions.
Feedback is where many students usually stumble. So, remember that critique is not an attack, but it is part of the academic journey.
Here’s how to handle feedback like a professional:
This kind of responsiveness reassures them that you’re progressing toward doctoral dissertation editing and proofreading or the final thesis submission.
Pro Tip: You can also keep a “feedback log” where you record all advisor suggestions and tick off each as you implement it. It’s a professional way to track improvements.
Professors are busy individuals with responsibilities in teaching, research, and committee work. So respect their time, it will make you stand out.
Advisors are mentors, not therapists. Sharing stress is normal, but not excessively venting about the challenges in the doctoral dissertation process, because it can strain the relationship.
Pro Tip: Think of your advisor as a consultant on your doctoral degree thesis submissions, not your personal life coach.
One of the easiest ways to reassure your advisor is to keep them in the loop. Advisors do not like surprises, whether it’s discovering you’ve fallen behind schedule or that you’ve submitted a draft without showing them.
You can simply share small updates about finished proofreading or submitting a draft. It tells that you are making steady progress.
Pro Tip: You can give monthly progress reports to summarise what you’ve completed and what’s next.
At the end, your attitude matters a lot. A positive approach can make the dissertation process seamless. Staying motivated for your PhD dissertation journey will also help reduce stress. What really counts is how you handle your thesis, so avoid constant negativity, as it can weigh down meetings.
Professionalism means respecting academic standards: following doctoral dissertation formatting guidelines, doing thorough proofreading, and using UK-based dissertation editing services to refine your work before the final defence.
Pro Tip: If you have a can-do attitude, it reassures your advisor because it means that you will complete your PhD.
You should have cordial relations with your advisor because they support you through the doctoral dissertation process, from proposal writing to the final submission process. From the doctoral dissertation prospectus to holding a copy of your thesis and final approval, this path shapes not only academic success but also personal growth.
If you are proactive, respectful, and professional, then you not only streamline your own journey but also strengthen the mentor relationship. It will shape your academic career.
What are the steps in the doctoral dissertation process?
The doctoral dissertation process includes the following steps;
How important is the proposal stage in the dissertation process?
The proposal stage is very important because it is the roadmap for the complete project, and it also requires approval from the committee. If you can’t defend it, then you cannot proceed to the next stage.
Can you publish a doctoral dissertation as a book or journal articles?
Yes, you can publish your doctoral dissertation as a book or as journal articles. Most students turn their dissertations into monographs or break them into smaller articles for peer-reviewed journals.
Keep in mind, you will need to revise it by making the writing clearer and shaping it for a wider audience. Doing this not only helps your research reach a wider audience but also enhances your academic profile and future career prospects.
How do I choose a dissertation topic for my PhD?
You should pick a topic that has the following characteristics;
What challenges do students face in the dissertation journey?
Students face different kinds of challenges, like time management, balancing research with other commitments, and accessing high-quality academic sources. Additionally, managing the workload of data collection, writing, and revisions adds to the overall pressure of the dissertation journey for doctoral students.
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