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Original poster

5000 words to produce by Monday. What's the most work you've ever done in a few days?

52 replies

OhBloodyElle · 23/01/2019 18:58

Anyone else trying frantically to meet a deadline that's fast approaching? Mine is for a degree but I imagine the feeling of pressure is pretty much the same whether you're writing an essay for uni or for a report or brief etc for work. I cannot afford to fail this degree.

I'm struggling but need to crack on tonight and expect there won't be much sleep for a few days. Thought it might be good to hear tales of success to stay cheered up and positive!

OP posts:
Sharpandshineyteeth · 23/01/2019 19:03

My friend at uni did every single assignment the night before. She stayed up late and bought a ton of sweets. She did really well as well. Some people work better under stress.

Endofrelationship · 23/01/2019 19:10

I did all my master's essays in 4 days - 1.5 reading, 1.5 writing, a few hours break then re-read and ammend. They were 2.5-4k words. I do better under pressure. If given a deadline a few weeks away, I'll always check I understand the assignment then leave it until 4 days before!

I'm now in a role where I write court reports, often 6-7k words. Again I leave them until the last minute!

I appreciate not everyone can work like that though!

Original poster
OhBloodyElle · 23/01/2019 19:42

Thank you for the positive stories! I know it can be done. I just have to stay optimistic and be realistic, so make sure to keep getting what rest I can.

I have a load of fruit, chocolate, crisps and coffee and an easy dinner to chuck in the oven soon. So well stocked up on fuel!

OP posts:
Bookishandblondish · 23/01/2019 19:46

Two fifty page board reports on a complex situation - given at 3pm and emailed at 8am the next morning.
Also in my second year at uni - 3 essays, 3000 words each - got a 1,2.1 and 2.2 in one night ( I’d had a very traumatic term as flatmate attempted suicide)
My study habits of leaving until the last minute have served me very well in my career.

Zwischenwasser · 23/01/2019 19:56

It depends on how much research you need

If you wanted me to. Start writing now about an aspect of my job I know well, I could knock 2500 words out before bedtime. No problem. And still get enough sleep to function tomorrow.

1000 words on something I’m attempting to learn. Not so easy.

I did knock out the bulk of a 10,000 word essay in a few days once I’d done the research (the research took bloody months though)

DeadCertain · 23/01/2019 19:57

I am another who works much better under pressure and will leave things until the last minute and then "binge work". Has always served me well - I also prefer exams to coursework.

BubblesThaDragoon · 23/01/2019 20:40

Some people are like lemons, they expel their best juices under pressure. I am definitely a lemon kind of person, I did 6000 in 2 days in 2 12 hour slots, I did well haha

happypotamus · 23/01/2019 20:45

I wrote my dissertation proposal of several thousand words, can't remember how many, maybe 3-5000, in 3 days, including most of the research etc. I didn't go to sleep in those 3 days though. I don't recommend that approach.

Greenandcabbagelooking · 23/01/2019 20:51

2,000 words in two hours due to thinking my essay was due in at midday next Friday, when it was due at midday that Friday. I discovered this at 10am on the Friday it was due.

And I got the best mark I ever got at uni.

Original poster
OhBloodyElle · 23/01/2019 20:55

Some of you are insane and quite clearly superhuman Grin

I'm aiming to bash out 1000 words. Then get some sleep. 6AM start tomorrow so need a little.

OP posts:
LurkyMcLurky · 23/01/2019 20:55

I wrote my dissertation of 12k words in around 5 days, but I had spent months gathering all the sources and doing the research beforehand though. I also wrote my lit review and proposal of 3k words over a weekend. It was very stressful and I may have had a few tears trying to figure out where I was going with it.

It's possible, but I can't recommend it!

PandaG · 23/01/2019 20:58

5000 words in approx 12 hours overnight - I had spent many hours on the reading though. Got a decent 2:1 too!

Almahart · 23/01/2019 21:01

I love hearing stories like this, I’m exactly the same, always got best marks on over night essays

I still work best at the last minute. I don’t think I’m lazy, I just can’t really do it before I have to

Butterymuffin · 23/01/2019 21:03

1000 words a day is very doable plus some reading up as needed. Pace yourself and do it that way.

AlwaysColdHands · 23/01/2019 21:03

I had about 7 years to write a PhD thesis (80,000 words). In reality I wrote the majority of it in about 6 weeks. Not proud, but effective for me!
Good luck, you can do it!!!

goHoppity · 23/01/2019 21:05

I used to aim for typically 1000 words a day if I was referencing all my text. If it was a personal reflection that 2000 words was often my aim.

Good luck

Billballbaggins · 23/01/2019 21:05

Yeah I’m another ‘better under pressure’ person and did pretty much all my assignments at Uni overnight the night before. Usually between 3000 and 8000 words. Ended up with a 2:1 in my degree!
Sit in a calm and quiet space, have some sweets and snacks at hand, plenty of drinks available, outline a vague order ‘plan’ for your essay and let the words flow! You can do it!

DrinkFeckArseGirls · 23/01/2019 21:07

I’m a lemon too Grin
By Monday that’s plenty of time! Get off here and crack on Star

flatpackbox · 23/01/2019 21:09

I need to do four weeks worth of coursework by Sunday evening. I am at hospital all day Thursday and Friday and working on Saturday.

This was meant to happen last weekend and I did nothing at all - got a seven day extension.

happychange · 23/01/2019 21:11

Get off Mumsnet and crack on with your essay!

DarkDarkNight · 23/01/2019 21:16

I regularly used to do 3000 word essays through the night. I used to hate myself and promise never again but I am a procrastinator unfortunately.

It’s the tyranny of the blank page. If you’re struggling with where to start write a bit you’re more sure of and reshape it as you go.

Violetroselily · 23/01/2019 21:16

I think I did a 3000 word essay in an evening

I'd always start with my references, stick them in the document and then write around them

Waterlemon · 23/01/2019 21:18

@sharpandshineyteeth

I think we were at uni together-that is ME you described! I still have to have a deadline to get anything done.

I will spend my whole day off procrastinating then manically run around the house and get a whole days worth of housework done in an hour before the school run!

amusedbush · 23/01/2019 21:19

I wrote a 4000 word essay in three days and got a first class mark.

The stress was awful though and I cried my eyes out after I submitted it. I never left it that late again!

Thecomfortador · 23/01/2019 21:23

I remember telling the obstetrician I had 12000 words to write in a week. It got done. When you have a mental plan and can access all references easily it's perfectly doable, if not altogether advisable (that dissertation was submitted with 15 mins to spare).