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

[StupendouslyStupid]

It's due in 2 weeks from Monday, I just can't do it.

I feel as though I know what I want to say, but can't get it down on paper. I have awful brain fog and tiredness from juggling a health condition that they know about, but don't think now that a week's extension would make any difference at all. They don't give more than 1 week.

What should I do? I'm confused because I think if I asked to defer, I couldn't just effectively become a part timer and submit next year in September 2020. I think I'd have to formally take the whole year out, then come back?

I don't know though. I'm torn between psyching myself up to push for deferring or just writing something as best I can and hoping it passes.

But don't think it will pass and my whole Masters will be dragged down by a scraped pass even if it did.

I just don't know what to do, I'm so tired and stressed, just want to sleep and feel well.

@StupendouslyStupid I wouldn’t worry about the quality of the research you’ve done. People don’t know what discipline you’re in, but I’m guessing it’s some form of Humanities and you’ve done a lot of appropriate reading of primary texts? That is absolutely fine at Master’s level. You don’t need to find the Dead Sea scrolls.

No I haven't had an ad for thesis writing but was shocked at how many come up in Google when you're searching for advice on writing a dissertation!

Seriously cannot understand what the point is of buying one. If you buy it then you haven't really got the qualification. I don't get it.

I haven't read all the advice but here's mine. It probably won't be considered healthy but hey ho.

Like you I didnt give myself enough time. I knew what I wanted to say but couldn't say it etc.

In a nutshell the only thing helpful to me at the time was writing it semi-pissed
And then brushing it up the following day sober.
Not something I would usually do or advise but it is what helped me.

@EarringsandLipstick If it's a library-based dissertation I'm not sure there's any original independent research to do other than synthesising information from different sources? I'm thinking of OP's document as something like a Cochrane systematic review of published studies..?

Jo

OP, what's your topic? It was a long time ago but I've also done the library MA. Happy to help if I can.

OP, see if you can defer just the dissertation for a year. That's what I had to do with mine due to physical and mental health issues at the time.

You really do just need to put words on paper and break the writers block.

At this point you will be stressing over how much you’ve got to do, over the course of the weekend you can easily have 6,000 words.

In terms of the independent research it really does depend on what type of masters Tor doing surely?

I’ve done 3 dissertations at this point in increasingly esoteric legal fields and haven’t conducted a single interview, survey or focus group...I have however reviewed currently thinking, practice and precedent - which sounds similar to the research you’ve done?

Honestly, at this point you know more than you think, you just almost need to switch off and let the words flow - i’ll echo previous posters with perfection is the enemy of good...

I massively over-researched my MA dissertation, handed in a pile of dross, resubmitted a year later and got a good pass (would've been an excellent pass but for the points deducted). I always struggled with deadlines and writer's block. It was a horrible time but I got through it and now it's just a blip that happened years ago. I didn't have a medical condition (then...) but my tutors tried to help all the same. My advice is to do your best but also talk to your tutors and figure out your options. Good luck x

@StupendouslyStupid

Please please go & talk further with your supervisor. They are best placed to advise you.

And you've had loads of excellent practical advice here.

If your supervisor is happy with your approach, then focus on that. I am giving you my own experience on research, both my own and in my professional field where I work with many MA students and researchers.

But I can't know your specific situation. If you agreed an approach with your supervisor and you've done that, then great!

If it's only the actual writing part, then that's doable and you need to stop worrying about it not being good enough. It will be.

We can all use that fear not to write a word - but you have to move on. It's actually another form of procrastination.

Here's a plan.

Tomorrow, up early, decent breakfast, then walk / swim / sit in garden - get out in some form.

Take 45 mins to capture in any form your main argument, your key themes, big points arising from your research, possible conclusions.

Take a break.

Come back and write down your worries, what's really stopping you, and come up with a solution for each.

Find one key part of your research and write it up.

You must have an abstract? Your original proposal? Your lit review? These are all parts of your 10,000 words so put them in.

Then take one key point or theme, set a timer and write about it.

Then decide next step for Monday morning: supervisor, extension being key.

@ToLiveInPeace

That's a really helpful post. It does sound so stressful but you make a really good point - as horrible as it was you got through it, did well ultimately and moved on.

JoBrodie

That's a good point - makes sense.

I have however reviewed currently thinking, practice and precedent - which sounds similar to the research you’ve done?

This sums up what I'm doing (or trying to do) very accurately.

Originally, I had plans for a project that involved primary research and my supervisor felt that it was too big for a Masters dissertation, and to look at further study. So then I thought maybe one day a PhD, but unless I pass the Masters obviously it ain't happening.

I was very happy to do the libarary based dissertation as I felt it would really provide a thorough foundation for future primary research, be an opportunity to get a comprehensive feel for what has already been done.

But I've lost all confidence in any of my ideas being good enough to pass let alone do a PhD!

And you've had loads of excellent practical advice here.

Yes absolutely.

A massive thank you to everyone who has taken the time to give advice, and also tell me their own stories of managing to actually pull it off.

I still feel stupid but am sipping a glass of wine and starting to feel a tiny spark of well maybe it is possible to do this...My plan is to try the Dutch courage strategy and maybe just get stuck into making a very detailed plan now tonight. Following the tips on how to plan it out that people have posted.

If it's shit it's shit but it's a start.

I have my basic structure already, but planning each section might make it seem less daunting.

Op I just handed in this week. I pretty much did most of my dissertation in 3weeks! Excluding data capture, but seeing as you’re doing a literature review.. you can do it in the time. Especially as you love your subject area!

I agree with the scaffolding type structure, making that really helped me. Have a framework, subheadings etc. Then removing at the end.

You absolutely can get it done! Ask for the 7day extension. And ask for extenuating circumstances whilst you’re at it too.

Good luck!

Almost all writing starts out at least a bit shit and then improves on the editing :) As others have mentioned the trick is to get something on the page then improve on it.

I often find that what I actually want to say turns out to be an emergent property of what I've said, and occasionally arrives by surprise. By that I mean that I write some drivel and then the mists clear and I get a flash of inspiration and re-order things and suddenly I'm on my way. Granted I am rarely doing this with 10K dissertations.

Every year I give ostensibly the exact same lecture to a group of MSc students but every year when I come to practise it I invariably rethink something and move bits around. It would be much easier if I just gave the same lecture every year, but I have been struck by how a completely new observation crops up with even the same basic stuff.

I wonder if we can crowdsource your thesis :)
Jo

You sound a lot calmer in your last post OP, grit your teeth lass, you can do do this.
I wrote my doctoral thesis up in 3 months. I don’t recommend it! Obviously I’d done the research and organised my literature but I procrastinated far too much and ended up in that situation. Lived to tell the tale though and so will you.
This time next year you’ll be so glad when you look back. Good luck.

These are not enough words.
You can complete it in 2 weeks if your research is completed like data collection your findings. Just try to write it down.
You can do this.

Go for a walk/run (suggest using a mantra -"Fuck it Fuck it Fuck it..." works for me). Th ed n do exactly what @Amortentia suggests. Every time you hit a blockage repeat. I did mine in 2 week....not my best piece of work, I admit. Also cried in my viva when asked if I'd like a cup of tea/coffee. Passed the fucker though. You can do it, promise.

Just write 2000 words a day, for the next 5 days.
2000 words is 4 pages roughly. Get some coffe, biscuits and lock yourself somewhere.

Then, go back to the start and start making it better.

Get the extension, and spend the last couple of days proof reading, referencing and sharpening the structure.

Then hand it in.

If you've done the research, there will never be a better time. You are going to have to force yourself. It'll be painful, but then it will be done!

Good luck!

OP sounds like you've the start of a plan!

That's great - I think you'll be fine.

Sorry if I confused you re independent research. JoBrodie & BanjoStarz captured your approach well.

I know I keep saying this - but please talk to your supervisor. It's also a bit of accountability for you. You give them a draft, they can give feedback. (I know that you did this before & felt despondent after but their input is important and can save time)

Good luck!

Stop writing on MN and get planning the sections, plan the arguments for each section, write it in chunks. When I did mine, sometimes section 3 would still be unfinished before I finished section 6/7.

Honestly though, I'm going to be the unpopular voice here - how the hell did you manage to leave it until 2 weeks before it was due? Thats just poor form even if you did have health concerns and the fact you're posting about it when you've written 200 + words complaining you haven't done it.

Sleep now. Tomorrow plan it out and then make time. Are you In work? I used to set my alarm to get a few hours done before work and then a few hours before bed and got through it like that. I also bribed myself with chocolate. I piece per two pages etc. You'll get there. If you can't think what to write, just get a piece of paper and start writing whatever pops into your head no matter how unrelated. It will get you going. Good luck.

You can. I did it in three with a festival in the middle. It was hell. Wrote my final chapter and conclusion the day before deadline. Make a plan, down to the fine details and then just blast it out roughly. You can go back and amend later and it will get your theories out in the page.

I even scrapped a whole chapter and started again - all ok as it helps you figure out what you're saying.

10,000 words is very doable. I've done 5000 in 24 hours before. Force yourself to just write anything for now.

Also - I always write the introduction last as it's the hardest part to get going. Pick something to focus on, a small point or idea and expand on that in notes and mind maps. Looking at it as a mass can be overwhelming.

@LemonPrism snap! 5000 in 24.
That’s interesting advice about the intro. I think I wrote something and then rewrote! I also methodically blocked out word count for % for each section and ticked off each criterion.

You can do this @StupendouslyStupid
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