Managing your time for thesis writing can be stressful so the most important thing is to find a method that works for you to make sure that you are really making progress and limit your stress levels.

You might find that writing lists is your thing, so make sure that you list small items/steps to get more of them ticked-off at the end of the day. Others prefer Gantt Charts and planning software. Then a good compromise between planning software and list-making can be found with Trello.
Trello is a web-based platform with a flexible way to manage and organise your projects. It consists in a virtual ‘board’ containing lists of cue-cards. Each list can represent a chapter/step in your project and each card can represent a specific task. You can then move the cards and list around, add individual deadlines for each card and archive them once completed. Another interesting functionality is that you can invite other Trello members to share a virtual ‘board’. This comes in very handy when you are working on a collaborative project.


For more information or to see examples of existing boards, please check Trello website.

Another tip to manage your stress levels on a regular basis is to learn how to dissociate what is urgent from what is important for you and your project. Important means items linked to the ‘big picture’ of your project or anything that will contribute to the wellbeing of your personal mental health. Urgent represents any item with a pressing deadline.
Below is an example of matrix you could fill with your own tasks:

Now you have all the cards in your hands, just start planning!

– Amelie (Follow me on Twitter)

Further readings:

Gardiner, M. & Kearns, H. (2012). Turbocharge Your Writing: How to Become a Prolific Academic Writer. Thinkwell.

Kearns, H., & Gardiner, M. (2012). The seven secrets of highly successful research students. Thinkwell.

Kearns, H., & Gardiner, M. (2013). Planning Your PhD: All the Tools and Advice You Need to Finish Your PhD in Three Years. Thinkwell.

Kearns, H., & Gardiner, M. (2013). Time for research : time management for academics, researchers and research students. Thinkwell.