Published 21 January 2025

How to write a Thesis | Digitalization

A multi-part series about writing a modern thesis.

FeaturedOpinion

Universities have long been more than just places of learning; they are vibrant ecosystems where groundbreaking discoveries are cultivated. These hubs of knowledge and cooperation provide the perfect environment for ideas to intersect, resources to merge, and innovations to flourish. A prime example is the discovery of insulin at the University of Toronto in 1921, a landmark breakthrough that revolutionized diabetes treatment and saved millions of lives.

The research team, led by Canadian doctor Frederick Banting and medical student Charles Best, demonstrates how universities promote collaboration to tackle complex challenges. Banting’s idea of extracting and purifying insulin to treat diabetes became a reality through their combined efforts, guided by Professor John Macleod, whose support was crucial in advancing their research. The collaborative environment of the university, where researchers worked closely and shared insights, was pivotal during the discovery of insulin—and remains just as important today.

However, when the COVID-19 pandemic struck in 2020, this collaborative environment was upended. Universities became desolate as research shifted to digital platforms. Laboratories closed, physical resources were inaccessible, and face-to-face collaboration turned into video calls and emails. Many research projects that required hands-on work were delayed, forcing scientists to adapt quickly to remote tools and technologies. This shift created challenges in maintaining momentum and communication, leaving individuals to handle these issues largely on their own.

The Limits of Virtual Connectivity

While the scientific community of professors, researchers, and students adapted to the new reality of fully remote collaboration, each of us faced our own struggle: how to continue the work we had started in one way, only to be forced to finish it in another.

Writing my thesis during the COVID-19 pandemic was a mix of creativity, frustration, and adaptation. The lockdowns and restrictions meant that accessing physical resources was no longer possible, and my advisor was difficult to reach for timely feedback. Without the ability to meet in person or visit the library, I had to rely on digital platforms for research, which felt limiting at times but also encouraged me to take full ownership of the process. The most difficult part was managing the sheer volume of research materials. With no physical library to browse and no structured system for organizing files, staying on top of references, PDFs, and articles was an ongoing challenge. Finding a way to make this process more straightforward and keep track of the various sources was incredibly frustrating, especially when I had to manually search through everything to find specific information.

Receiving feedback also became an issue. Without face-to-face communication, the feedback process was slower, and I often had to wait for email responses or track revisions through long chains of documents. This significantly delayed progress and made it harder to get real-time input on critical aspects of my work. The absence of spontaneous conversations, which are often essential for refining ideas and clarifying misunderstandings, made it harder to maintain momentum. Additionally, the lack of immediate clarification often led to more rounds of revisions and uncertainty, making the whole process feel more fragmented and less efficient than it had been before.

The preparation for my thesis defense added another layer of complexity. With no in-person meetings to practice and refine my presentation, I felt isolated and unsure of how to improve my delivery. The absence of peer support meant I had to work largely on my own, which made the preparation more stressful. The lack of direct feedback from colleagues and advisors left me second-guessing my approach, as I couldn’t perceive the effectiveness of my presentation in real-time. Without the chance to rehearse in front of others or fine-tune my arguments through discussions, I was left to navigate the preparation process in a vacuum, heightening the pressure and uncertainty leading up to the defense.

Time management was another challenge. The disruption to my routine made it difficult to stay on track. With distractions at home and no clear boundaries between work and personal life, maintaining focus and keeping up with my writing schedule was a struggle. The absence of a structured environment, typical of university settings, made it easy to lose track of time, and the lack of accountability that comes with being physically present in a university environment made it even harder to stay disciplined and productive.

Redefining Research in the Digital Era

I often wished for a software solution that could integrate everything I needed into one platform. Instead of juggling between reference managers, note-taking tools, and exporting my work, a dedicated writing module specifically designed to help students with graduation projects or theses would have been invaluable. Such a system could have speeded up the entire process, allowing me to draft, organize, and format my work in one place. Writing my first scientific material felt isolating at times, and having the option to receive feedback from peers or mentors in real time would have saved me countless hours spent on tutorials or deciphering vague comments in Word documents. Interactive feedback could have clarified expectations and ensured I fully understood what needed to be done. A built-in system to track revisions and consolidate feedback would have simplified staying on track and addressing suggestions, thus enhancing the overall process.

These features, combined with tools like interactive cards or whiteboards for brainstorming or visually organizing complex ideas, would have significantly eased the challenges of writing during such a tumultuous time. Having everything in one place—where I could outline sections, break down research tasks, and track progress efficiently—would have transformed the experience. This structured, interactive approach would have allowed me to focus more on the quality of my research rather than being bogged down by the technical hurdles of scattered tools and processes.

Despite these challenges, the experience taught me to adapt and develop creative ways to keep moving forward. While I couldn’t rely on immediate support or traditional resources, I learned to navigate the process with the tools and strategies I had available. Looking back, I see how these challenges shaped my ability to manage complex tasks independently.

Elumity as an Answer

Reflecting on my experience, I can’t help but think how Elumity could have made a significant impact on my thesis writing journey, especially during the challenging COVID-19 lockdown. Elumity, with its comprehensive suite of features, would have provided an integrated platform that would have addressed many of the issues I faced. For starters, the ability to access my research materials, manage references, and organize my work in one place would have been a game-changer. Elumity’s library feature would have allowed me to gather all my resources in an easily navigable space. No more sifting through endless folders, searching for that one elusive article or reference. The convenience of having everything organized digitally in one place would have saved me countless hours and significantly reduced stress.

The platform’s ability to create cards and interactive documents would have been invaluable for visually organizing my thesis. By breaking down complex ideas into smaller, manageable parts, I could have developed a clearer outline and a more structured approach to writing. Elumity’s collaborative features would have allowed me to share drafts with my advisor and peers in real-time, providing instant feedback to accelerate my progress. This real-time collaboration could have addressed the sense of isolation I experienced during my defense preparation. Receiving direct input would have refined my presentation, boosted my confidence, and made the entire process much smoother and more effective.

Although not as groundbreaking as the discovery of insulin, writing a thesis is an important milestone in every researcher’s journey. The challenges posed by the digital world and long-distance learning make it clear that an all-in-one solution to manage and complete such work is no longer just an option—it has become a necessity. With a platform like Elumity, students and researchers can shift their focus from navigating technical hurdles to what truly matters—contributing to meaningful scientific discoveries and advancements.

A. Kumašin