Hanken student rewarded for useful thesis tips
Suomen Ekonomit annually rewards master’s theses in three categories. Four students were rewarded in category 3, From hardship to victory – tips for success, and one of them was Faiyaz Khan from Hanken. Below are his tips for how to push forward with the master’s thesis through challenges.
1. Study the road ahead
Before you start, take a good look at how others have walked the path. Find theses that use the same research methods and structure as yours. Look at how they approached data collection, analysis, and how they structured each chapter. Treat them as a “blueprint” for your own journey.
This saved me from reinventing the wheel and gave me clarity on where to begin. It also made the process feel less overwhelming because I could visualize my own finished product.
2. Break it down and build a system
A thesis isn’t a single, giant task—it’s a series of small, manageable tasks. To avoid being overwhelmed, I created a simple but effective plan: Write one page every day. One page doesn’t seem like much, but over time, it adds up. And guess what? Some days, I was in such a groove that I wrote two or three pages. This gave me "free days" later in the week when I needed a mental break. Small wins add up, and knowing I was making daily progress kept me motivated.
Don’t underestimate the power of discipline. Even on bad days, I sat down and wrote something—anything. It didn't matter if it was rough or messy. You can always edit bad writing, but you can't edit a blank page.
3. Learn to love the "messy middle"
Every thesis has a "messy middle" where nothing makes sense. You’ll feel lost, your literature review will feel incomplete, and your analysis might not "add up" at first. This is completely normal. Don't let it derail you. I leaned into this phase, knowing it’s part of the process. The key is to keep going, even when it’s messy. Things eventually come together. Progress isn't always visible, but that doesn't mean it isn't happening.
4. Be kind to yourself
Burnout is real. There were days when I felt like I was drowning. I had three courses, a part-time job, and commitments to my start-up and non-profit. It felt like too much, and I often thought about giving up. But I learned that self-compassion is a strategy, not a luxury. If I hit my page goal early in the week, I’d reward myself with a day off.
This gave me a sense of balance and made me feel human. You don’t have to suffer to succeed. Take breaks, step away, and return with a clear mind. It’s amazing how a short pause can lead to big breakthroughs.
5. Ask for help and be relentless about it
I faced one of my biggest challenges before I even started writing. I had missed a prerequisite course for my thesis, and it almost delayed my graduation. I spent weeks emailing professors, heads of departments, and program directors asking for solutions. I got ignored. I got rejected. But I kept going.
Ask, ask, and ask again. Seek help from your supervisor, professors, or even classmates. No one will fight for your thesis more than you. If you hit a wall, keep pushing. There’s always a way forward if you’re persistent enough.
6. Don’t aim for perfection - aim for progress
This was the most important lesson of all. It’s easy to obsess over making every sentence "perfect" before moving on, but that’s a trap. Perfectionism leads to procrastination. I reminded myself that I could always edit later. My goal was simple: progress, not perfection. The first draft doesn’t need to be brilliant—it just needs to exist. Once you have a full draft, you’ll be amazed at how much easier it is to polish it.
7. Remember why you started
When you’re stuck, ask yourself: Why am I doing this? For me, it was about more than a degree. It was about independence, self-discipline, and proving to myself that I could overcome challenges. Your “why” might be different, but it’s your fuel. Write it down and look at it when times get tough. Let it remind you that the finish line is closer than you think.
Text: Faiyaz Khan and Marlene Günsberg
Photo: Private