Dissertation Hell

[Ilovechocolatebuttons]

AIBU to want to crawl under a rock and hide? I am 43 and have 4 days left to finish my dissertation (management), I've written 10,000 words which don't seem to make sense, things are all over the place and I have had the world's worst tutor.

I knew it would be a hard slog, but working all day, studying all night (I am averaging 5/6 hours a night) and finishing Friday seems like a pipe dream, the thing is I am not academic, I have kind of reached my peak thought process, no matter what I read, I still don't understand what I am doing half the time....I don't even know lots of big long fancy words which would made me look more intelligent on paper!

Any mature students want to give me some advice, or perhaps just a thumbs up, tell me they felt like this to, made it to the end and got a decent result? It's undergraduate level.

Feeling desperate here and facing many more hours ahead of staring a screen thinking WTF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Booboostwo]

How long does it have to be? UG level is usually no more than 12,000 so you are close to finishing it are you not?

Are you still reading new things? This is probably more confusing than anything else so late in the process. Stick with what you have read, and, I hope, kept notes from.

Do you have an outline of chapters and a plan for each one? If not I suggest you start with that. Get the outline of all the chapters done first, then write each one as if it was an essay in its own right. Don't write big words to impress, but try to get your point across clearly.

Can you apply for an extension? This must be done before the deadline so don't delay asking for one.

[LurpakIsTheOnlyButter]

Stop. Breathe. Go for a walk.

I'm not academic either but I worked my ass off on my dissertation. I did well and so can you but you need to stay calm, ask someone to proof read and make suggestions as if it makes sense that someone who doesn't know your subject then you're winning.

It is easy to miss the forest for the trees when you are over invested. Get your mind clear and look again. (I rewrote mine in 3 days).
You can do it. You will be great.

[CaparaAlecha]

Best advice from my ma thesis advisor when i was struggling
'Dont be too hard on yourself, no one will actually read this apart from us '
You need to pass, you don't need perfection

[sunnydream]

I am with you! I was in your shoes last Monday. The final few days were the worst, I was an emotional wreck. You can do it though. I think this part of the unsureness and panic is part of the process.
If you weren't cut out for this, you'd never have made it this far. I believe in you and you can get it done.
Speak to your lecturer explain how your feeling, even if they offer no help it might make you feel better getting everything of your chest, it will also be proof should you need it for any special circumstance form you fill in.
I didn't have the best lecturer so I spoke with student support in the final run up to handing my dissertation in and got the support and reassurance that I needed.
Good luck

[Jonbb]

I started with 14000 words, then precis as much as i could, used footnotes for sources for every sentence that was not original thought, edit all superfluous words and sentences. Have a day off to finish it. Dont forget to allow time for writing the bibliography. I got a first for mine but it depends whether you need to bring your overall mark up as to how well it needs to be done. I was 39, it's tough isn't it! Well done.

[marjorie25]

I agree, go for a long walk, take a writing book, sit somewhere quiet and let your thoughts wander.
You will be amazed at what the mind can do. Some of my greatest thoughts come from walking, especially when things seem so overwhelming.
I would stay away from big words unless you understand them and they fit into what you are writing.
As someone said, get all your outline done first. Then concentrate on the introduction, write that in a draft, just as the thoughts come to you, don't stop to correct, you waste too much time doing that.
Once your introduction is done, start each outline and do the same.
If you can get someone to read it as you continue on that would be good.
Good luck, I know exactly what you are going through, been there and done it, so can you. You are just overwhelmed at the moment.

[Ssssurvey]

Make sure your introduction really does identify what is coming. Signpost throughout. Ensure your conclusion fully identifies what you have researched and said in a succinct way.
Take yourself off Mumsnet and grind your way through xx

[starsandstuff]

I was once you, including the shite tutor!! I had a 20,000 word MA dissertation and I remember a couple of days before it was due. I have never experienced panic like that. I had so much left to do, nothing made sense, I was sitting at the kitchen table one morning at 5am crying "It can't be done! I mean it literally can't be done!" But it got done. I passed, I got a good grade, I graduated, and I never looked at the bloody thing again and nor will anyone else. I went on another forum at the time and got lots of good advice like here - break what you have left to do into tiny chunks. Tick them off. Take regular breaks. Get some fresh air. But the best thing was someone saying "The best dissertation is a finished one." I said that over and over to myself like a mantra. It does not need to be perfect. It doesn't even need to be great. It just needs to be done. You'll get there I promise, and you will be so proud of yourself. And whenever I feel stressed now I think "It's not as bad as that was", so you'll know if you can get through this you can get through tough things in the future. Best of luck!

[Ilovechocolatebuttons]

Thanks, Chocolate, it is limited to 11k (which is with the 10%), you are right the long words are probably not required, I have read a few sample dissertations and I am like my god, I write like I am 10!

Yes close Boo, I suppose I am, the main issue is I have done my survey and have the results, but I have learned so much – mainly my questions weren’t good enough and I haven’t really obtained information that is all helpful (some is). Every chapter is written I just start at it thinking this makes no sense. I just have the final conclusion to write but not sure where to start? No, no extensions allowed, and even if there were I think I would still sit staring!

Thanks Lurpak, I have proof readers, but not experts on the subject (neither have degrees or seen an actual dissertation) Wow 3 days, I;m impressed!

Thanks Capara, I know, I am just afraid of getting a really crap mark, it’s cost thousands to do the course, and I kind of need to say I came out with a decent grade!

Ah Sunny, it’s hell isn’t it! My lecturer said it was ok, they don’t give any indication of mark at all, I should have contacted student support but ran out of time!

Hi Jon, yeah I will be editing the hell out of it! I did my bibliography with word, so it’s got me good marks using it thus far, so hoping ok!

I think my main problem is that I am not sure how to bring it all together from A to B and end it with yes I found this and this and the answer to the question is x!

[IamtheDevilsAvocado]

I feel your pain...

Signpost! signpost! Signpost!

It's a very common error.... Where you can't see where someone is going with their thought processes!

[Booboostwo]

No one is expecting a UG dissertation to reinvent the wheel. Try not to panic, your first post made everything sound desperate but it is not, you actually have your first draft.

Make sure you get some sleep. Get a friend or relative to read it and get them to tell you what they understood. Read it again after you have had some sleep and write a 5-10 sentence summary of each chapter. Don't be afraid to draw a line under what is possible in this piece of work. Saying 'this is an interesting avenue of further study but beyond the scope of this dissertation' is a perfectly valid strategy.

[feistyfifties]

Okay ...

1. Re you having learned lots doing it. I'm assuming some of this were errors made in your methodology in which case put these as 'methodological limitations'. Eg. Was your survey size small? Was the way you phrased questions too leading? You may pick up points through evidencing reflexivity and awareness of the weaknesses of your design (no methodology is perfect). Also, ensure you justify why your selected methodology fits your research questions.

1. As a pp has said, ensure you are clear from the outset that there's a VERY visible train of argument; of focus that runs right the way through your writing. Think of it as taking the marker by the hand and leading them from start to finish. Style your writing so you have lots of signposting such as 'Relatedly, ...'( as argued in 2.2; in contrast to ...).

1. Ensure you've built an argument and it's not just a set of random thoughts. Think of paragraphs being building blocks with chunks of information building on what's gone before.

1. Reference accurately and according to the system the uni specifies

1. Your conclusion shouldn't include new info but can point to the future to other research that could be done which would address your methodological shortcomings. For instance, research that adopted a different design so as explore a more in-depth appreciation of the issues.

Good luck - you're almost at the end!

[yetea]

Congratulations on practically being done. I really wouldn’t worry about it at this stage, you have enough words there you could submit now if you really needed to and you have days left to go over it. Some excellent advice here, better than I could ever give.
I was still writing mine on the morning of hand in a few months ago so you are doing better than I am.

I think most people doing there UG feel stupid most of the time, I definitely do. I think it’s even worse as a mature student because we don’t have the sheer blind confidence of youth.

Take some time out and come back to it. Pop it through Grammarly or similar to check that it reads well. Good luck, you can do it!

[Nikephorus]

Make sure your intro & conclusion are solid, use sub-headings so that even if your following paragraphs are a bit confusing the person reading it will know what they're supposed to be about (!), and talk about what you did wrong or would have done differently - it's a major part of it. The actual results are only part, it's as much what you learnt from how you did it.
You'll get there!

[Mycatsarebetterthanyours]

I feel your pain. Just about to hand in my masters dissertation of 12k words and have had to write most of it with a newborn in tow which hasn't been easy.

You're so nearly there though and you've done so well so far so give yourself some credit. You've probably read the thing so many times and that's why it's no longer making sense.

[Camomila]

You have 4 whole days, you will be fine! :)

Can you get to the library - our had examples of the standards for a 1st, 2.1, 2.2 etc. Might make you feel less panicky.

If you can't focus I always start by checking/adding references because its easy but gets you into the swing of things.

[Domino20]

Yes to what Nike said. Definitely write about the shortcomings of the survey! They won't expect you to do it again but they do expect you to have learnt from the process. Good luck. It's hellish x

[Melliegrantfirstlady]

You’ll be fine. You’ve only got your conclusion so you are nearing the chequered flag!

Google dissertation conclusions to give you an idea of where you should be heading.

[FindoGask]

Feel for you. I still remember my own dissertation hell 20 years ago nearly now (!!) and my husband submitted his own last week - I've almost forgotten what he looks like when he's not hunched over his desk in his dressing gown. Good luck with it - I'm sure you'll do grand!

[InkSnail]

A to B and end it with yes I found this and this and the answer to the question is x!

That's pretty much what you need to say. You wanted to find out if X was true, as it would either lead to / make sense of Y, or dispute earlier assumptions that Y was blah. You collated previous info and researched blah. The results were like/unlike earlier research because blah, and Z new information puts X and Y in a new context because of N. Future exploration of Q new angles could determine whether J or K is relevant to L.

[Rupeomatic]

This might not help so feel free to ignore! When I was writing mine I just had to grit my teeth and write. Even if I knew what I was putting down was terrible, because I couldn't see the wood for the trees until I had a complete work to edit. You are so close - so write a conclusion, based on what you think you have written (IYSWIM).

Then give yourself one night off.

Then go back to it, read it again, and make sure that you are signposting your argument (as has been said before). If you need to, you can alter your methodology section to reflect how you have actually structured your argument. Cut out anything superfluous and rephrase any bits you really don't like. Finally check your conclusion and update it having read your work again.

Then spellcheck and grammar check - twice ( it might just be me but I always missed glaring typos and the computer spellcheck isn't always reliable) then SUBMIT IT

[Nikephorus]

You've probably read the thing so many times and that's why it's no longer making sense.
This ^^ !!

[smurfit]

I wrote my entire thing in 3 weeks (supervisor threw me a major curveball causing a rewrite of 99% of what I'd done) and managed to pass, you can finish yours!!!

My advice - make sure you've spelled out your topic/question and make sure you answered it clearly. Longer isn't automatically better so you don't need to be concerned about more words.

Just make it coherent, grammatically correct and you'll be fine. And leave yourself enough time for printing/binding. I was lucky enough to be able to do it at work, some people had to wait for theirs from the copy shops.

[Ilovechocolatebuttons]

Thank you so so much for your advice and your support, I have read all the threads and taken your advice over the last few days.

It's done, it's submitted and I am dancing around the room to the Greatest Showman soundtrack - my goodness what an amazing feeling!