To ask complete MN for support in completing my essays?

[GracefulHippo]

So, I have fallen badly behind with my essays . There are reasons... I developed a heart condition just before the course started, was hospitalised and have been wobbly and tired all autumn. I will apply for a week extension, but not sure if I get it.

SO, have two essays to finish, possibly by Tuesday and Thursday (hopefully next Tuesday and Thursday), have barely started. I won’t be able to get into it until later this afternoon as I am on a sports fixture for my middle DC. Any kind encouragement - or tips very appreciated!

Empathy.

I had a hospital admission and am way behind on my OU course and forcing myself to get stuck in this afternoon.

Dreading it. It’s become too big a task 😭

Good luck

So difficult, I was always behind and never had your reason,

Start with the outline, what is going into each section?

Opening
Middle
Conclusion

You of course will have lots of sections in between. Remember the opening pet can actually be quite difficult so just start by outlining the question and then come back to it.

You will have to make a big effort but I'm sure that you can do it. Take your pick of your favourite and the very best of luck.

You can do it!

Try and just start, sometimes it's getting going that's the most tricky. Lots of chocolate treats, write in 40 min bursts then rest.

Make a plan, write down your sources.
I always write them down like :
xx argument -xxx.com/sjdbdkhslsbh; yybook page x; blabla page bla.
Yy argument - jdbjd.com/yehidh; yybook page z-a

Really easy to then find the argument support and source when needed when writing.

Good essay plan saves days btw

I ways recommend looking at "academic phrasebank" - I think it's a Uni of Manchester website. Lots of pointers and link words etc and it helps formulate the path of the essay. Good luck!

Thehop, let me know how you get on. We can do this!!

Feeling a bit more positive, thank you all. Will try to start setting up when I get home. I like the idea of 40 min sessions... supported by lots of chocolate. And definitely wine tonight!

Am not allowed coffee or tea sadly, but might get a Starbucks decaf as a treat!

And definitely wine tonight!
I support that
I wrote my best ever essay conclusion at 1AM after a LOTS of wine😂 Good luck!

My tip for when you get home is this:
Do not go on mumsnet.

Yes, essay plan!

I will have to start referencing straight away, good point. And keep end list of references in alphabetical order!!

Never heard of academic phrasebank, will look it up when I get home!

Look at the assignment brief and use it to make bullet points of what needs to go in your essay.

What are your essays about?

Yes to wine . And good point with no mumsnet once home. Stuck here atm, so brilliant time to psych myself up for working and making a plan!!!

You can highlight your references, press a/z button on word and it puts your refs in alphabetical format.

Is this OU study?

Essay 1: Collaborative learning and maths attainment. I have read a few articles and have online access to several academic databases, so should be able to get stuck in.

Essay 2. Need to decide...

Hopefully they will grant an extension . I will submit the request tonight, supported by my hospital discharge papers, letter with further appointment letter and photo of medication. Fingers crossed they accept that ....

FizzyPoo : Ooooooh, didn’t know that!!!!

Silly, no, not OU.

Make bullet points of what you want to include. Write your conclusion first so you know where you are going with it, you can change it later if you need to.

Hope it not so too early to have a glass of wine 🍷

Trying to make a framework of what I want to include. I like the thought of starting with the conclusion, but feel that I am far away from that to be honest...

If you have third-party medical evidence of your hospital admission, it may be worth exploring your universities process for submitting special circumstances for consideration when your course result is decided. If the work you submit is understandably below your usual efforts, this could mean your overall result is improved to a better grade.

Every university should have their own version if this process. It also means you are less likely to end up really far behind for your next assignments if you can minimise the length of extension you ask for.

Use referencing software (ref works or another), google scholar will export citation to ref works, you can link it to word and it will produce in text citations and your reference list in alphabetic order and in whichever format you have selected - our course uses Harvard, there are a few others. Game changer! I have a lab report due Weds 10am which I’ve just started tonight. You’ve got this...good luck!

Thank you Planet. There is a one-week extension for special circumstances which I am hoping to get. I have my hospital discharge papers showing a five night stay at the cardio ward (and that the onset of problems was sudden), I have a letter scheduling appointments for further tests next year (MRI and exercise ECG) and I can take a photo of my beta blockers (with my name on). I am hoping that that will suffice....

How difficult is the software to use Holiday? I don’t use google scholar (I have access to university databases online), so mainly work in word....

We use APA referencing....

Write your essay based on the marking guide and nothing else. Intro: Start with an interesting hook sentence that gives background to the topic backed up with an APA reference. Then tell the reader exactly what the essay covers. Then go from there!