I can't write my Masters dissertation and it's due in 2 weeks, in despair over it

Brilliant! Well done

Just to update- as this was such an encouraging thread- I got my mark back last week and got 75! That’s a distinction! Thank you all for your top tips! Hope you are all getting on ok?

Speech to text then edit

Wow well done seaside, you must be so pleased!

I finally sent mine to the printers this morning... what a relief. Can't wait to hand it in and be done with it!

OP, how did you get on in the end?

This thread is wonderful!!! XOXOXO

I just found out I passed my essay today :)
Good luck to all of you

Anyone on here still going? Mine has to go to the printers tomorrow and I'm still finishing off... Only of course I'm not because I'm on here

Well done for finishing! How's it going OP?

I've hit my (tiny) word count and haven't even started my discussion yet. Supposed to have my first draft to my supervisor by Friday so need to fire out a discussion ASAP. Over word count for a first draft isn't too big a disaster I suppose, lots of editing on the cards though. Also creating figures... my IT skills aren't up to this.

I was definitely finishing mine on Friday, then definitely on Saturday, then today ffs I’m still faffing around with the bloody thing now 😩

I was supposed to hand in my Masters dissertation this time two years ago... I deferred to last Summer halfway through the term and have recently deferred again to a February hand in as I had work issues that meant I couldn't do the research. I didn't have to redo anything else, I just delayed the hand in. I would definitely talk to your tutor and see if a February hand in is a possibility, so you at least know what you are dealing with.

Thank you! I keep getting annoyed with myself for taking on more courses, it’s really stressful when you work full time, have a kid, you’re a single mum and in a relationship. Like, who needs this shit, why am I doing this to myself?
Then it’s done and the joy of just being able to revert to my normal day to day grind is huge! Plus, I secretly am quite proud I am still learning and improving my practice.
Let’s just hope I pass.

Well done to those of you who finished and good luck to those still working hard!
Here’s to us all

I've finished my first draft, but still doing edits...

Well done you guys who have finished!!

I finished mine at 2.30 am on Monday . The relief!!

Did all of you know about the Harvard referencing tool online for biobliographies? You probably do but it was a total life saver.

Well done @SeaSidePebbles!

Well done Pebbles! 🙌 the relief must be awesome.
I’m chipping away still have to rewrite a couple paragraphs then do intro/conclusion. I’m hoping to finish by Monday.

I’ve done it. I finished my essay! Just to check the references and I’m submitting it. Bloody hell, those were 3 long months with it looming over my head.

Thank you all for your tips, they did help.
Op, good luck, you can do it!

The relief I can go back to cleaning the house and meal planning!😂

This has whizzed me back to my own dissertation... anxiety, brain fog, pathological procrastination, unable to think of anything else but equally unable to get going with it.

Ultimately, if you write well and genuinely understand your subject, even a rushed and rather lacking dissertation is going to be a pass, potentially a good pass. People hand some absolute dross in - you'd be shocked to read some of it!

How's it going OP? You made a start now?

I'm a horrific procrastinator.

When my brain is full of thought butterflies I have to write them down on a big piece of paper then link up the themes of ideas.

When writing my dissertation, I knew the structure of my modules was going to cause a long gap between research and writing up, so for each source I stapled on a revision card with the reference and key points. It was easy to come back to then and link the themes together logically for writing up.

Breaking down into sections, sub-sections and bullet points then building them up into sentences and paragraphs.

My one regret is that I didn't engage with my supervisor enough, and a few percent difference that could have been made with timely feedback could realistically have swung my class of degree to a higher level. On my next course, I did realise that I was heading for difficulty with a major essay, swallowed my pride and approached my tutor in good time and got an extension. As it turned out, lots of other people had issues with the timing against a placement too and left it last minute before submission before asking. I got the longer extension.

Probably a bit late for the stage OP is at now, but hopefully helpful to someone else.

I've been there OP - I did end up deferring and did the same thing the following year as I hadn't tackled the root cause which was terrible anxiety.

My advice is step away from the computer. Get some plain paper and markers and start jotting down basic ideas into a spider diagram. Then next page write your ideas in a little more detail. Slowly build up, take it one step at a time.

Setting a timer for 20 minutes is great - just a short focused burst of work. You can do this - a counsellor told me to put 'intellect over emotion.' Engage with the rational bit of your brain that knows you can do it and knows that you just need to break it down into small steps and get started, and block out the irrational emotional thoughts about not being able to do it.

Ohh, I see what you mean about 3000 being tough. Ruthless editing is the thing there.

I would write it as cane more naturally and then page away every word that doesn't add something to the overall message.

Also, separately, write a summary in one side of A4. The mind map style works well for me as I can see where I am repeating myself and sometimes sparks connections that I had not otherwise noticed

And finally (sic) imagine it as an elevator pitch. You find yourself in a lift with someone who could open doors for you what would you say to them about your dissertation. You only have time for a few sentences.

Check that you gave covers that in both the abstract and the conclusions.

Oh, and enjoy doing it. You know the material, enjoy passing it in.

Reading this with interest. Mine is due in 6 weeks (already had a 2 month extension due to work issues) but doing it part time alongside full time work so feeling like time is tight. Some of the advice and links have been really useful. Mine is also only 3000 words but it's tough to give a Masters level summary of my research in 3000! Would almost rather have a higher word count.

Good luck OP. Great advice on this thread. Crack on with it...you can do it. Get that extension...get something down on paper and you'll be on your way.

@StupendouslyStupid

Hopefully you're pounding away on that keyboard now!

But this might make you smile and also realise that you're not alone/unique in your panic

Wow this is the Monday morning Inspiration I need.