I just passed my PhD thesis defense at the University of Zaragoza and want to share the entire process while it’s still fresh. From initial preparation to final defense, it took nearly three years with many challenges along the way. I hope these experiences can help those currently preparing their theses.
Key Decisions in Topic Selection
Topic selection is truly the most important step of the entire PhD thesis. I was at the School of Engineering at the University of Zaragoza, and my supervisor suggested I start from practical applications rather than pursuing overly theoretical topics. I finally chose research on intelligent transportation systems applications in the Aragon region, a direction with both academic value and connection to local realities. I strongly recommend everyone consider data accessibility when selecting topics, as I spent an extra six months supplementing data due to insufficient preliminary research. You can learn more about the Zaragoza graduation ceremony experience.
Time Planning for Thesis Writing
I divided the entire writing process into several stages, organized in a table for easy reference:
| Stage | Time Allocation | Main Tasks |
|---|
| Literature Review | 6 months | Read over 200 related papers |
| Experimental Design | 4 months | Determine research methods and data collection plan |
| Data Analysis | 8 months | Conduct experiments and analyze results |
| Thesis Writing | 10 months | Complete first draft and revise repeatedly |
| Defense Preparation | 2 months | Create presentation and conduct mock defenses |
Special reminder: The University of Zaragoza requires PhD theses to be submitted to the review committee two months before the official defense, and this deadline must not be missed. A classmate of mine submitted one week late, and their entire defense was postponed by three months.
Communication Skills with Supervisors
In Zaragoza, supervisors are usually quite busy, so thorough preparation is essential for each meeting. My approach was to schedule meetings every two weeks and send a list of questions to my supervisor in advance. Never expect your supervisor to proactively chase you for progress updates, as proactive reporting is very important. Additionally, if you encounter bottlenecks in your research on graduating from the University of Zaragoza, communicate with your supervisor early to adjust your plan - the longer you delay, the more passive your position becomes.
Preparation for defense day is also crucial. PhD defenses at the University of Zaragoza are generally conducted publicly, with a review committee of five professors. I prepared a 45-minute presentation, actually spoke for 40 minutes, followed by an hour-long Q&A session. I recommend everyone conduct several mock defenses to familiarize yourself with your thesis content, so you can answer questions calmly and confidently.
Final Advice
Looking back on the entire PhD thesis process, my biggest takeaway is persistence and patience. The academic atmosphere in Zaragoza is quite good, with abundant library resources and mutual support among students. If you’re also preparing your PhD thesis, remember these points: plan your time reasonably, maintain good communication with your supervisor, and focus on the logic and innovation of your thesis. Best wishes to all doctoral students working hard for successful graduation!
