Sometimes, the greatest obstacle to completing a thesis is not your supervisor or the academic system—it is yourself. This is not necessarily a matter of fault or failure, but rather of awareness. Many doctoral students, often without realising it, adopt behaviours that hinder their progress and erode their confidence. Recognising these patterns is the first step towards overcoming them.
 
Pitfall 1: Submitting work without prior review

There is a tendency to send draft material—progress reports, thesis chapters, article manuscripts, or funding proposals—without careful revision. Often, this submission is driven by fear, haste, or insecurity. While such feelings are entirely valid, expecting the supervisor to return a fully corrected version, as though marking an undergraduate assignment, is unproductive.
 
At this stage, your supervisor is no longer your instructor. As previously discussed in this blog (see link), the responsibility for the quality and coherence of your work rests with you. Your thesis is your own intellectual product; it is your voice that must take precedence.

Pitfall 2: Avoiding supervisor feedback

Once the supervisor returns your draft—days or even weeks later—it is common to delay reading their comments. The document may be opened and quickly closed, triggering a sense of overwhelm. You may tell yourself you will return to it later, but later often becomes indefinitely postponed.
 
Procrastination in this context is detrimental. The longer feedback is left unaddressed, the more disconnected you become from the work. The mental burden grows, and time, which is already limited, becomes a source of pressure. Remember, time is relentless, and thesis deadlines do not pause.

Pitfall 3: Waiting for ideal conditions

Many researchers tell themselves: “I will resume work when I have time, energy, and motivation.” Unfortunately, that perfect moment rarely arrives. In waiting for ideal conditions, we risk losing our connection to the research thread, forgetting key arguments, and stalling progress entirely.

Instead, embrace small, incremental tasks. Begin by addressing supervisor comments or updating your personal research log. Recording your own progress not only documents your efforts but also provides motivation by showing how far you have come.

Beware of the illusion of perfection. Several of my postgraduate peers, after investing four or more years in their projects, ultimately abandoned their theses due to paralysis by perfectionism. Do not let your work go unfinished.

Pitfall 4: Withholding communication

A curt or critical email from your supervisor can be profoundly unsettling. Phrases such as “this is all wrong” may trigger anxiety, self-doubt, or feelings of inadequacy. The imposter syndrome becomes more than a passing shadow—it takes form and speaks in your own voice.

Yet, many students respond with silence. They internalise the distress and say nothing, hoping their supervisor will somehow discern their emotional state. This silence erodes the supervisory relationship.

Your thesis is demanding, yes, but it need not be punishing. If something has caused discomfort or confusion, say so. Articulate your needs and open a space for constructive dialogue. Miscommunication—or lack of communication—is one of the main reasons students become estranged from their supervisors. Speak early and clearly, and you will preserve the academic partnership essential for your success.

Pitfall 5: Believing someone will rescue you
 
Undertaking a doctoral degree means contributing to a field at its very edge. This is uncharted territory. It is unlikely that someone will arrive to carry your project forward.
 
That said, meaningful help does exist. I can personally attest that many breakthroughs in my research came from conversations with colleagues or mentors who offered timely, insightful suggestions. However, it was still my responsibility to develop those ideas further.
 
A thesis is not produced through rescue. It is shaped by commitment, reflection, and sustained effort. Assistance is valuable, even essential, but the core work must be your own. This process may seem slow at times, but it reflects years of your life and deserves long-term dedication.

Pitfall 6: Failing to seek help
 
Everyone encounters moments of paralysis or despair. When the path ahead is unclear, we may tell ourselves “I should be able to manage this on my own.” We retreat, fall silent, and become consumed by intrusive thoughts. Once again, the imposter syndrome distorts our self-perception.
 
The truth is that not knowing how to proceed is not a sign of failure. Having doubts is not a weakness. The real issue is remaining immobile.
 
Speaking with peers, supervisors, or support staff can help reframe your situation. Often, a conversation is all it takes to realise you are not alone—and that clarity is within reach. A question unasked is a solution postponed.
 

 
These pitfalls do not indicate that you are unsuited to postgraduate research. Rather, they reveal a fundamental truth: few people are ever taught how to sustain a process that is this long, this personal, and this intellectually demanding. It is not your fault. But you do have the agency to respond. You are not a poor postgraduate student. You are a person learning how not to abandon yourself along the way. Keep going.