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

180 replies

StupendouslyStupid · 23/08/2019 20:05

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 Sad 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.

OP posts:
PutTheBassInYourWalk · 25/08/2019 10:50

I had six months of chemo and my last dose was two weeks before my masters dissertation submission deadline. I had done some very weak data collection but that was all - I hadn't read anything and hadn't analysed my data.

Sitting with my laptop made my brain fog worse, so I cleared my living room floor and spent two days with bits of paper and highlighters and post-its trying to develop and organise an argument. Then I started writing where it felt the easiest to start - not at the beginning. I definitely went down the wine route recommended here and also made sure I ate plenty of good food. I found sitting in different bits of the living room for different sections helpful for some reason - I think it felt less formal than sitting at a desk so helped keep the fear at bay!

I sent each section to my supervisor separately and managed to write, get her feedback, edit it, and complete by the deadline. This was also helped by the fact that I managed to find a printers near my uni who did a same day print and delivery service, so I didn't have to worry about leaving a lot of time to get printing and binding done or taking it in myself. I got an A.

It's possible, OP. Keep the faith :)

SweetPetrichor · 25/08/2019 11:25

Try not to be overwhelmed by the total word count. I remember being intimidated by the thought of writing a 10k word count but now I write that in work without thinking twice about it.
I wouldn't worry about it being perfect...all it has to do is pass. A Masters degree is just a pass or fail, not the whole first class, second class, etc. I have no idea whether I passed with flying colours or barely scraped through...it doesn't matter, I have the bit of paper either way.

This is what worked for me:

  • Set out the sections that will comprise your dissertation
  • Bullet point your thoughts and key points that go in each section. Don't worry about writing it properly, just get the thoughts down.
  • Start expanding the bullet points into proper text. Don't necessarily worry about going from start to finish...just write what bit currently calls to you.
  • Once you have the text filled in, then you can start going back through it and making sure it has the appropriate flow/makes sense as a cohesive document.
  • If possible, ask someone to read it through for grammar/spelling errors.

You can do it!

HeadlessGummyBears · 26/08/2019 08:08

Not much I can say that has already been said op. But wishing you the best of luck CakeBrewFlowers

NotSureAtAllReally · 26/08/2019 08:22

How are you getting on op? I must say I’ve struggled the last couple of days with how hot it’s been. Last thing I want to be doing is slaving away at the laptop all day. Just keep telling myself this will be the last bank holiday I spend at the library all day.

ColdAndSad · 26/08/2019 08:37

I've coached a good few writers through blocks of various levels of despair, and have a few hints and tricks that might help you.

First, find yourself some guided meditations which focus on self compassion. There are loads of them online, available for free, of varying lengths and types. Find some you like. Listen to at least one of them before you sit down to write every time, as this will help stop you being so hard on yourself, and telling yourself you can't do this. You can do it, and you can do it well. Trust me.

Next, try to write down a series of bullet points that outline what you want your dissertation to say. Don't worry about getting the wording of this right, or getting it down in the right order; just scribble out a few notes, as this is bound to change the more you get into it, and you don't need to get it perfect right up until the last moment. Just get it onto paper and be proud of yourself.

Once you've got all your points down, assemble them into a reasonable order that seems to flow in the right direction.

This is now your table of contents. Add a few subheadings if you can, but don't worry about that too much.

Well done! You're well on your way.

If you've got research to handother academic papers that back up what you're saying, or research you've carried outsummarise the important parts, very brieflya sentence or twothen paste those summaries underneath the appropriate headings.

Once again, look at all you've achieved and be proud of yourself.

By now you should have a decent framework to use to write your dissertation. Have a look at how many sections you've got to write, and then work out how many you'll have to write each day to finish a couple of days before the deadline. Then just write that many each day, making sure you use your guided meditations whenever the panic that you can't write takes you over. All you need is words on the page. They don't have to be perfect, just written.

Use the last two days to revise and correct and deepen.

You can do this. You really can.

lifesgoodwithlg · 26/08/2019 08:43

Wow this is the Monday morning Inspiration I need.

BIWI · 26/08/2019 09:30

@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 Grin

BlueSuffragette · 26/08/2019 10:12

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.

ashmts · 26/08/2019 10:32

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.

FinallyHere · 26/08/2019 10:48

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.

hotcrossbun4321 · 26/08/2019 10:53

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.

SudowoodoVoodoo · 26/08/2019 11:06

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.

BlueSuffragette · 26/08/2019 20:36

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

SleepWarrior · 26/08/2019 21:36

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!

SeaSidePebbles · 26/08/2019 22:50

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!😂

NotSureAtAllReally · 28/08/2019 08:03

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.

milliefiori · 28/08/2019 08:24

Well done @SeaSidePebbles! Flowers Brew

langkaw · 29/08/2019 07:33

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.

IamtheOA · 31/08/2019 18:54

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

Well done you guys who have finished!!

SeaSidePebbles · 31/08/2019 21:57

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 allWine

Heartlessshrew · 01/09/2019 09:34

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.

PooGates · 02/09/2019 12:28

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

ashmts · 04/09/2019 09:59

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.

Nowisthemonthofmaying · 16/09/2019 12:20

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 Shock

SeaSidePebbles · 16/09/2019 13:03

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