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Please give me some encouragement

34 replies

Ilovr · 20/06/2025 21:32

Am I unreasonable for thinking that I can pull off a 1500 word essay in two days. I realized that I'm a slow writer and I struggle to tackle essays in a way that says time. I'm post graduate in psychology. Any tips and encouragement is welcome 😢

OP posts:
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SpanThatWorld · 21/06/2025 07:26

chachahide · 20/06/2025 21:45

Chat gpt, tell it to include references from your course and some unusual ones, tell it to sound like it’s not from chat gpt.

Then go through it and make sure you change a at least each paragraphs with some words that are your own. OR pick another AI platform to put it, in its own words.

I’ve Done this loads and not been detected.

And precisely what have you learned from your degree studies? Other than laziness and dishonesty?

Ihad2Strokes · 21/06/2025 06:39

Ilovr · 21/06/2025 06:32

Thank you all so much. I'm definitely going to give you feedback. Hopefully, i will tell you that I managed 🙏. Let me get to it

Good early start.!

you'll be fine!! 1500 words really isn't that much & if you have a structure it honestly shouldn't be that difficult x

Ilovr · 21/06/2025 06:32

Thank you all so much. I'm definitely going to give you feedback. Hopefully, i will tell you that I managed 🙏. Let me get to it

OP posts:
NoBinturongsHereMate · 21/06/2025 02:34

Seriously - it makes you stupider:
www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/ai-chatgpt-essays-cognitive-decline-b2774224.html

NoBinturongsHereMate · 21/06/2025 02:33

When I was a journalist I could knock out a 1000-word article in an hour. Academic essays are slower to write, but 2 days is more than enough.

Don't use AI, it produces rubbish, is cheating, and you learn nothing.

sleepylittlebunnies · 21/06/2025 01:59

@Nn9011 that’s pretty much how I did all my essays throughout school, college and uni. For my 10,000 word dissertation I had done all my research and then left it to write and type in 3 days. I would spend the whole time fully focused, only stopping for a meal replacement shake. My best work was produced this way, I couldn’t focus properly without the pressure of an imminent deadline.

petsarebetterfriends · 21/06/2025 01:46

1500 words isn't that long. Sometimes it helps to break it down. Don't look at the whole assignment - just do an introduction. One paragraph. Once you've done that, do another paragraph. It tends to flow easier after that, once you've got going.

Don't use AI. I've pulled a student up on that before and had it referred for academic misconduct.

Objectrelations · 21/06/2025 01:38

If you really wanted to make it an interesting exploration you could use the use of AI as an example

Objectrelations · 21/06/2025 01:36

1500 words? That’s ridiculously short, it shouldn’t take you more than an evening to write.

purpleandpurple · 21/06/2025 01:14

You can do it OP!
Don't use AI.
Several posters have provided excellent advise on steps to take. Pick something that suits you and then just start.
Once you start you'll gain momentum and then it will be done.
Good luck!

user1473878824 · 21/06/2025 01:01

MaryGreenhill · 20/06/2025 21:50

I second Chat GPT you will have to edit it thoroughly though OP . Good Luck

Just write it then.

MrsBennetsPoorNerves · 20/06/2025 23:27

chachahide · 20/06/2025 21:45

Chat gpt, tell it to include references from your course and some unusual ones, tell it to sound like it’s not from chat gpt.

Then go through it and make sure you change a at least each paragraphs with some words that are your own. OR pick another AI platform to put it, in its own words.

I’ve Done this loads and not been detected.

This is awful advice.

1500 words in 2 days is more than doable, OP, and you definitely don't need to cheat. Get your structure mapped out first and then break the writing into chunks.

Good luck!

Bobnobob · 20/06/2025 23:13

You need a timetable. So for example

8am-9am write structure and bullet key points
9-9.15 coffee break
9.15-10.30 write intro (xx words)
10.30-10.45 walk around the block and snack
10.45-11.45 background reading for discussion

etc etc…

if you fall behind here you are supposed to be, don’t panic, just wriggle the timeline around to get it all in.

Mazzika · 20/06/2025 23:13

You can do it! I don't know the subject but it's not a huge word count and it sounds like the second half will cover a lot of it. I think I'd be inclined to start there, building your evidence for the stages through the examples. They add up to your evidence for it being stage based, and whatever holes you end up with can be used for the counterargument. Then write your assessment of the extent to which it is stage based off that. Or something.

proximalhumerous · 20/06/2025 23:08

Tip: get off Mumsnet!

Encouragement: I should think a 1,500-word essay is eminently doable in two days.

FlightCommanderPRJohnson · 20/06/2025 23:07

Yes, you can easily do this. Make yourself write 100 words and then stop (if you want) for a short break. Do this 15 times - don't worry if your 100 words aren't perfect - trying for perfection first time slows you down -,just get something written and once you have the draft, you can keep editing it until you're happy with the quality.

TheCurious0range · 20/06/2025 23:02

I wrote a 1000 word report at work today in about 2 hours and that included coffee breaks and chatting to a colleague. With an essay you will want to tweak and edit, but two days seems loads of time.
Bullet point your sections, write a draft, go back and reference properly, edit a bit while you do, then do a final edit.

DoYouReally · 20/06/2025 22:58

I have no idea what this theory is but most likely it has a number of principles or theory.

Could you try breaking it down like this.

Part 1: Overview
Part 2: Agreement that agree with the statement and cite sources
Part 3: Agreement that disagree with statement and cite sources
Part 4: Summary of parts 2 & 3 (I.e.while X & Y are very pro theory for these key reasons, it must be noted thst A & B outline the shortcomings/limitations
Part 5: Own opinion - while it is a very good foundation for moral whatever, I believe that if it was extended to include list shortcomings it would be a full comprehensive theory if extended or adjusted for list shortcomings, it could be a fully comprehensive- basis. Even better if you can suggest other theories that may be a better basis etc. In conclusion, it goes a long way but has limitations. I consider X theory to be a better basis or an amalganation of this theory and another would be the ideal theory etc.

Use a mix of the theories you've studied on the course and theories you have discovered in your own research.

parrotywotsit · 20/06/2025 21:57

chachahide · 20/06/2025 21:45

Chat gpt, tell it to include references from your course and some unusual ones, tell it to sound like it’s not from chat gpt.

Then go through it and make sure you change a at least each paragraphs with some words that are your own. OR pick another AI platform to put it, in its own words.

I’ve Done this loads and not been detected.

Absolutely do not take this advice. I'm an SU academic advice caseworker and I can assure you it is a terrible idea.

You can absolutely do this. Break it down into sections and just do your best.

RH1234 · 20/06/2025 21:56

Don’t use Chat GPT, you’ll never have the true pride of passing in my opinion.

Break down your essay into sections/headings/points/references etc

Aim to complete one “section”, have a break, go for a walk, do the next section etc

Dangermoo · 20/06/2025 21:56

CorbyTrouserPress · 20/06/2025 21:53

Using ChatGPT to write an essay is like using Google to win a pub quiz.

I agree. Cheating your way to an award, takes away its value.

Nn9011 · 20/06/2025 21:56

ADHDer here who spent university and all of school doing this. I pulled off writing my thesis in this timeframe so it's definitely doable. Here's what I would do:
Gather supplies - food/snacks/drinks/stationary
Break down the essay - you'll need your introduction and summary but these can be written at the end so don't worry about those straight away. Instead consider what main arguments you want to make. If this is something you've discussed in class, get your lecture notes and see what they've written, design around that.
Find your sources - critically analyse means you need to understand the impact of what they say not just people who support or disagree with their argument. Look at your suggested reading. You don't need to read everything but try to find some good points they make and consider how you can put it into a flowing argument.

Write a first draft of these paragraphs if you can. Don't worry too much about getting everything perfect, this is your brain dump of what you've read. If you have a printer print this out and critique it with a read pen. If not, take a break then go back and read what you've written.

Now put it together, rework or even create a new final draft, now create your summary and introduction. If you have time, review this at least one last time.

Make sure you keep a note of where you sourced things from as you go along (comments in word can help with this) so doing your sources at the end is easier.

Any questions please feel free to reach out. You got this!!!

CorbyTrouserPress · 20/06/2025 21:53

Using ChatGPT to write an essay is like using Google to win a pub quiz.

ShesTheAlbatross · 20/06/2025 21:51

1,500 words? That’s not very long really, you can definitely do it. One of the best things I found about studying psychology was the short essays (compared to friends doing things like history).

To critically evaluate you need both sides. So you need evidence backing up, and being critical of the theory. So that’s a basic structure - intro explaining the theory with examples of the stages, paragraphs in favour, paragraphs against, conclusion.

As an aside, that’s a terribly worded question because the statement is a fact, and presumably not what you’re actually being asked to evaluate.

MaryGreenhill · 20/06/2025 21:50

I second Chat GPT you will have to edit it thoroughly though OP . Good Luck

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