Recently, I found myself buried in paperwork, trying to make sense of my tax return—definitely not the most exciting task. After hours of poring over numbers and forms, I decided to take a break and met up with a friend for a coffee. She noticed how stressed I was and, with a calm smile, started giving me one tip after another about how to make the process smoother. I was momentarily speechless. She made it all sound so easy, so effortless, and I couldn’t help but wonder: Does she know a secret that I don’t?

As she kept speaking, it hit me: Why do I always assume that others have unlocked a special formula or hidden knowledge? Why do I think I’m the only one who’s in the dark?

It’s easy to feel like everyone else has it all figured out, especially when they make something seem so simple that you find intimidating. I’ve felt this way more times than I can count in my own academic journey. And I hear the same from my students—especially when it comes to writing their thesis or research papers. They often say, “Everyone else seems to have it together, but I’m stuck.” That’s where myths and misconceptions creep in, making students feel like they’re missing some secret everyone else knows.

🛑 Myth 1: “You need hours of uninterrupted focus to make progress.”

Reality: Progress comes from consistency, not marathon sessions.
One of the best pieces of academic advice I ever got was from a professor who told me: “Write half a page a day. Half a page a day gets you everywhere.”

This tiny goal keeps momentum going, even on busy days. Before you know it, half-pages add up to full sections, and suddenly, you have a chapter.

🛑 Myth 2: “You have to know exactly what you’re going to write before you start.”

Reality: Writing is messy—and that’s part of the process.
The student seemed surprised when I told them that I don’t always have a perfect plan when I sit down to write.

The act of writing helps clarify your thoughts. You don’t need to start perfectly—just start, even if your first draft is rough. Progress is what matters, and polishing will come later.

🛑 Myth 3: “There’s a right and wrong way to write a thesis.”

Reality: There’s no one-size-fits-all approach.
While most theses follow a general structure (introduction, methods, results, discussion), there’s room for flexibility in your process. What matters most is clarity, consistency, and finding what works best for your topic and style.

My writing guide breaks down the thesis process into manageable steps to help you focus on each section without feeling overwhelmed.

🛑 Myth 4: “Planning is a waste of time—just dive in!”

Reality: Planning is your secret weapon.
I always tell my students to plan backward. Start with the desired outcome, then map each step back to today. A good plan not only saves time in the long run but also builds confidence, keeping you focused on each task with purpose.

🛑 Myth 5: “If it’s not hard, I must be doing it wrong.”

Reality: Writing doesn’t have to feel like suffering.
The student looked relieved when I told them that stress isn’t a necessary part of the process. Yes, writing can be challenging, but breaking tasks into smaller steps, setting realistic goals, and seeking feedback along the way make it manageable and, sometimes, even enjoyable.

💡 Final Thoughts:

That student? They went on to write a fantastic thesis and even thanked me for “sharing the secrets,” though in truth, there was no secret—just simple, practical advice. Writing a research paper or thesis is a skill you build over time, with no hidden formula and no gatekeeping.

If you’re feeling stuck, my 30-day thesis writing guide can help you make that first move and keep the momentum going.

Remember, it’s not about perfection—it’s about progress, one half-page at a time. Keep going; you’ve got this! 😊