Dear Lionel,

I used to give a lecture on dealing with flagging in my series of lectures on dissertation support but it seemed to be more of an issue with longer dissertation projects and most of the students I was generally lecturing were doing shorter ones.

The sort of issues we covered were stress management (e.g. the 4 As), getting enough rest, talking over problems and choosing a subject that you are passionate about so that you maintain intrinsic motivation.

By the way, I got my PhD on the second attempt of the viva after 13 years!

Perseverance or pursuing is a key for a good finalization of a doctoral thesis. Sincere dispositions and work makes almost all.

Hello Lionel - I think that there are lessons for both supervisors and Ph.D. students to ponder from your question.

For the student:

- Remember that the institution that is supporting your study admitted you to study with them because of your previous track record as a researcher and because you had proposed a worthwhile research topic - it's not about you, it's about your specific response to a particular challenge or problem and perhaps a specific misconception or blind-spot in your thinking;

- Seek out specific advice as to where your reviewers thought you went wrong and how you might address the criticisms;

- Accept as a positive thing that the first third of your thesis study is a time for exploration, risk-taking, and being open to a multitude of possibilities around your research design - maybe you went out on a limb with this early piece of writing. There will still be lessons that you can learn.

- Don't be discouraged and lean upon the support of your friends and peers - as well as expecting your supervisors to provide not only academic but a degree of pastoral support - you are a human being as well as a Ph.D. student!

For supervisors:

- Mix in some kindness and empathy with your commitment to academic rigour;

- Don't neglect the 'soft skills' of supporting your disappointed students (it's the soft skills that are actually the hard skills);

- Provide a bit more scaffolding for your student's next piece of writing - try to create the context and guidance environment that makes for success next time;

- Where appropriate reassure, encourage and (implied in your question) point to the bigger picture long game.

Well, the student has to know this is research, means he will try according to hypothesis and objective, but this not 100% grantee from 1st try he will catch what he wants.

The supervisor may give simple task at the beginning and keep plan B ready.

This is a very good question. Also, it is not an easy question to answer. But I will try. To PhD students who face great challenges and discouragements:

- if you know that you have what it takes to succeed - persevere and do your utmost best all the time. Also, keep reminding yourself that it is always the darkest before the dawn.

In my opinion, the student can be motivated when he knows clearly the logic line of his work. Every aspect that is not clear, when not discussed and manteined being quiet, can perturb this logic line. The professor should serve as a psycologic and cognitive help and try to elucidate all the aspects of the work in the ambit of tha capacity of the student.

Read the biographies of successful scientists. All had failures but did not give up and were finally successful.