What skills you should improve before starting a thesis?

There are many basic writing skills needed to write a good thesis or dissertation paper. However, in addition to the writing, there are many other things you need to consider and keep in mind as you work on the paper. Here are some things you should keep in mind about the process of writing a dissertation.

• There will come a time in the process of working on your dissertation that you will freak out. Panic will set in and you will begin to doubt your entire premises for your thesis. This is normal and is part of the process- it is to be expected when working on something for so long. Many students will also run out of steam at some point and time during the process of writing the paper. Again, this is normal and if you can plan and prepare for it then it will be easier to recover and get back to work. It's just panic, it'll pass and you should not let it get to you too much.
• You will do a lot of research and writing for the paper, but much of it will not end up in the paper by the time the writing and editing is done. It can be disheartening to write ten pages and then have to edit it down to three or four before moving on to the next part of the paper. This too is normal and in many cases it is easier to edit down a paper than to try and fluff up a word count.
• Your dissertation is going to cut into your time and change your life. It will interfere with your social life and will keep you home or at the library while your friends are out having fun on the weekends. It is important to remember that this is a small sacrifice for the long time benefits that can come from a good dissertation paper and review. So keep pressing on and stay focused on the task at hand as you work on your thesis and dissertation.
• There will be a sense of panic right before you submit your dissertation to the committee. Even the most super-organized person who plans down to the last hour will still begin to doubt and worry. Accept that you have done the best that you can do and that once the dissertation is submitted it is out of your hands. It is normal to feel some self doubt and apprehension at the end but enjoy the moment and then enjoy the excitement and anticipation of waiting for the results.