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To think 3 weeks is enough time to write up a dissertation?

108 replies

whambamthankyousir · 04/03/2022 13:31

I've been working on my dissertation since September last year, a huge chunk of it was taken up by having to go through the ethical application process. I got the go ahead in December with that. I then had to gather participants. Interviews commenced and finished in February. I have transcribed them all and analysed and found common themes.

I have a clear chapter structure and outline with how many words is going into each chapter. My literature review is written however, after doing the research I do have to change some of that and refine it but that's 2000 words out of the way with 8000 to go.

I have 3 weeks on Monday to write it to get the draft into my supervisor who said she will turn it around in a week to send back to me with changes to be made. I will have a week to implement these changes and submit officially.

To be honest I'm quite relaxed about it. It's a topic which interests me very much and is very close to my heart. I am a fast writer, once I get in the zone I can work very fast.

My friend on the course has been telling me it's impossible to write up a dissertation in that time and that I better ask for an extension now. The thing is, I don't see how I could have done it any quicker as I needed to wait for my ethics application to be approved before I could do anything.

Can anyone tell me if this sounds doable? I plan to put 5 full days a week writing time into this until it's complete. Is it doable or will I need an extension?

OP posts:
whambamthankyousir · 04/03/2022 13:38

@moredogsthansense

What sort of degree is this for? I presume postgraduate and maybe master’s from the length, but the level of degree will determine how deep your analysis will need to be and thus influence how long you can expect it to take.
It's an undergraduate honours degree. Sorry should have said
OP posts:
Whatsthestoryboringglory · 04/03/2022 13:38

Masters yes, PhD probably not unless you are an absolutely focused writing demon. Most of my colleagues spent 6 months part-time/2-3 months full time writing up PhDs.

Rotherweird · 04/03/2022 13:38

Yes, it's doable (I supervise dissertations).

Don't forget though that with a piece of writing like this, it's the revision that really makes it. The longer a piece is, the more revision it needs. So while the draft is with your supervisor, start revising and polishing. The more you do this, the better it will be.

Good luck!

GunsNShips · 04/03/2022 13:37

Absolutely doable.

babytum · 04/03/2022 13:37

My friend wrote hers up in 2 weeks while on maternity leave with a small baby so it’s doable, I personally wouldn’t get it done in that time. I’m part way through my own and struggling but I’m a faffing procrastinator so that says it all.
You can but try. Get going see how it goes, get an extension if it goes belly up. No one died by not getting a dissertation submitted on time!

araiwa · 04/03/2022 13:35

Easily

Maflingo · 04/03/2022 13:34

If you are a single, with no other demands on your time (job, kids, etc), then yes you could probably get it done, although you won’t have much time to leave it to go “cold” and review it thoroughly.

moredogsthansense · 04/03/2022 13:34

What sort of degree is this for? I presume postgraduate and maybe master’s from the length, but the level of degree will determine how deep your analysis will need to be and thus influence how long you can expect it to take.

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