While I was working as a public school teacher, I decided to pursue a three-year Ed.D. degree. After completing one year of studies, I faced a setback when my research proposal was rejected. I was told that I couldn't use my elementary classroom for my research, which was a huge disappointment.

At the time, I was collaborating closely with a fellow graduate student. We shared similar interests in education, and he invited me to join his dissertation as a co-author. Together, we finished the dissertation, and the experience of working side by side with a peer was both rewarding and uplifting.

Here’s what worked for us, and some advice I’d give to other graduate students who might consider co-authoring a dissertation. This advice can be helpful not only for dissertations but also for other types of academic papers and publications.

To begin, it's crucial that you and your co-author are on the same page about the topic and your thesis. My partner and I were able to finish our dissertation successfully because we both shared the same vision for the issues, goals, and future of public education, despite the challenges we encountered.

On top of that, here are seven more tips (lucky number seven!) that helped us along the way.

1. Create a schedule

My co-author and I frequently exchanged drafts of our dissertation to keep things moving. Having a set schedule helped both of us stay accountable, and we agreed on deadlines to make sure we were on track.

At the time, I was balancing a full-time teaching job with working as a waitress in the evenings. My partner had a busy schedule too, with three kids and a commitment to his church. I dedicated my weekends to the dissertation and worked on it during the weekdays when I wasn’t at my night job. He would take over the work on weekend nights. We adjusted our schedules during the week as needed, depending on what was happening in our personal lives.

Sticking to such a schedule requires strong self-discipline and support from those around you. For example, I had to focus solely on writing during the weekends, or I’d fall behind. My partner had to make sure he could carve out quiet time at home in the evenings, away from his family, to concentrate. It takes sacrifices from everyone involved to stay on track with a big project like this.

2. Create and stick to a main draft

Using platforms like Google Docs might seem like a convenient way to collaborate, but I would advise caution. For one, the document can become too fluid if multiple people are constantly updating it. To keep things organized and accurate, only one person should be responsible for the main draft at a time. Formatting can be a hassle when transferring a live document into the final version required by your university. While it may seem like more work upfront, having a single draft handled by one partner will save time and avoid frustration in the long run.

3. Blend writing styles

Aligning your writing style with your co-author's can be tricky. To make this process smoother, it helps to spend time editing each other’s individual work before diving into the dissertation. I was fortunate to have worked alongside my partner for over a year, editing his work for other classes before we started on our dissertation. This gave me a good understanding of his writing style and helped me anticipate the challenges we’d face in merging our writing.

As a narrative writer, I found it difficult to adjust to the more formal, academic style required for a dissertation. However, reading through various dissertations helped me adjust. Writing can feel very personal, but it’s important to be open with your partner about your style and be willing to make compromises. The final product may end up being different than what you envisioned at first, but it can turn out to be even better than expected.

4. Recognize each other's strengths

It’s important to be honest with yourself and your co-author about your strengths and weaknesses. Once you understand each other’s skills, assign roles based on what each person does best. If there are areas where you’re not as strong, take the time to learn together and support one another, such as with tools like Excel or handling statistical calculations.

5. Split up the research questions

For our dissertation, my partner and I had three main research questions. We each took responsibility for one question, and we worked together on the third. This division allowed each of us to focus on areas we were passionate about and truly own our parts of the project.

6. Don’t hesitate to ask for help

Start building a support network right away. Reach out to friends, family, and colleagues who have expertise in areas that might help with your dissertation. I began doing favors for a coworker who had completed his doctorate a year before me, knowing I’d likely need his help later, and I did! I also received Excel assistance from a banker friend, and another friend helped with some statistics work. Your support system will be essential throughout the process.

7. Take breaks when needed

Sometimes, my partner and I would meet to discuss the dissertation but end up simply enjoying a coffee and chatting. Developing a genuine respect for your partner is key. You may not become best friends, but you’ll share this project and the journey together, so building a good relationship is important.

Since graduating, I've reached out to my partner several times about using our dissertation for poster sessions or presenting it at international conferences. No matter where your career takes you, your name will always be linked to your co-author, so it's important to stay invested in their work and keep in touch.

Over time, you'll build a unique bond. Just be sure not to focus so much on the professional side that you overlook the value of the friendship you’ve developed.