Masters student - struggling

[whatnextfred]

I’m 9 weeks in to a masters in business management and I’m loving it but really struggling too. It’s 16 years since I finished my undergrad and I’ve not done any official learning since then. My first assignment - a 2000 word economics paper is due next week and I’ve written it. I understand it. But I have no way to gauge to level required.... what’s good? What’s great? What’s a pass? I’ve put so much work into it and I’m really stressing that I’ll have fallen short. I’ve four more to have in in next four weeks so wish I could just see what a pass paper, good paper and great paper from last year looked like if you know what I mean.... I’m rambling now. Sorry

[whatnextfred]

Anyone? Am I in the wrong place?

[ItsAllGoingToBeFine]

Do you have a tutor or anyone who can take a look at it for you?

[whatnextfred]

No one will read it in advance which I understand. It’s just like I’m aiming for something but have no target in sight.... it’s really making me anxious

[HardAsSnails]

Do you know the weighting? For my OU MSc the first assignment was only a small proportion of the module weighting so didn't contribute hugely to the overall mark. I had a 16 year gap between undergrad and postgrad too and it was fine, if anything after years in the workplace and report writing I was much more efficient and focused with essays than before.

[SharkSkinThing]

Relax. I felt like this with my first MA assignment, after going back to study after a 20 year gap.

You sound as if you have worked hard and done the reading. 2000 words is not that long, so check the following.

Have you answered the question?
Have you critically engaged with the relevant literature?
Have you sustained an argument?
Have to brought it to a clear conclusion?

When is it due in?

[DoctorDoctor]

Have you read the assessment criteria for this piece of work? What do they say?

[wizzywig]

Have you not had to do a trial essay?

[whatnextfred]

No trial essay. It’s worth half the module marks. It would have been easier with more words iykwim. Worrying I’ve culled too much or not been critical enough.

[whatnextfred]

It’s 60% understanding question, 20% engaging relevant research and 20% structure and writing

[maitaimojito]

I always found it helpful to copy and paste the marking criteria into my word document before I started an assignment so that I could make sure I was staying on track. It’s so easy to start waffling and not do what is being asked of you.

Make sure your referencing is perfect as there are usually some marks for referencing/spelling/grammar.

[whatnextfred]

Got the results today, 67% which is a merit, 70 is distinction. Module has two essays equally weighted so if I can get Next one over the 74 mark I’ll scrape the distinction overall. Thanks for all the help during my meltdown