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Original poster

Dropping out of Masters so embarrassed and lost

283 replies

KnuckFows · 08/12/2019 23:12

Realised my dissertation is simply not good enough. It absolute won't pass, it would be ok for undergrad but not this. DP is exasperated says I'm being too hard on myself and negative, that's not it though it really is not relevant and only realised what the problem is today and can't fix it in a couple of days.

I'm so depressed about this, and my family will be a bit contemptuous. I've dropped out of a postgrad degree before but really thought I could do it this time - and I have done well in my assignments so there's that. I will have a certificate.

My family all take for granted I can just do this level of academic work, I grew up being told how bright I am and im clearly bloody not!! I feel like that is (unintentionally) a set up for feeling like a failure when I can't deliver? Which I honestly can't.

I have an adhd diagnosis but not even really sure I have it, I have several medical conditions which can possibly interfere with concentration and stamina, and mean I could not try the adhd medication anyway.

The thing is it doesn't even matter what the reason is for failing, the reasons why become meaningless, just that oh look KnuckFows has failed again smirk smirk.

At a loss, not sure what direction to go in now without this degree. More fool me for thinking id get it.

.

OP posts:
ChazsBrilliantAttitude · 08/12/2019 23:15

Any possibility of an extension? Do you have a tutor you can speak to? Would a pass in the dissertation be sufficient ie do they look at your overall average mark provided you pass all courses?

PurpleDaisies · 08/12/2019 23:16

Unis will often let you resubmit with corrections.

looondonn · 08/12/2019 23:17

I think you would be crazy

Send drafts to tutor if you can

Do small pieces little and often
It is sooooo worth it!!!

Please don't give up

Extension also?

PurpleDaisies · 08/12/2019 23:17

Is it just your own judgement that it isn’t good enough or has someone else told you?

FoxFoxSierra · 08/12/2019 23:17

Is dropping out really your only option? Can you ask for an extension? Are you absolutely sure your dissertation will not pass? I would get in touch with your tutor and the student union if you're a member and go through all your options before deciding what to do next, don't drop out unless there really is no other way

Original poster
KnuckFows · 08/12/2019 23:18

Oh ffs there's a vote I didn't mean to do a vote? How does that happen?

OP posts:
tabulahrasa · 08/12/2019 23:18

How will you be better off dropping out rather than submitting it and seeing how it does?...

Ellisandra · 08/12/2019 23:19

You need to speak to your tutor, before you do anything else.

Ringsender2 · 08/12/2019 23:19

You really need to go and talk to your supervisor to see if (a) your assessment of yourself is accurate and, if so (b) what can be done about it.

When's submission date? I thought for taught masters that they were usually and the end of summer.

RNBrie · 08/12/2019 23:20

You've come so far! Go and speak to your tutor asap, explain how you got to where you are and what you think you need to do to fix it. Ask for their advice, that is exactly what they are there for.

Sciurus83 · 08/12/2019 23:20

Don't do it!! I dropped out of my PhD at writing up and I regret it. Go and see student support services, ask for help it is out there. Speak to your doctor about ADHD and anxiety management and to your tutor about an extension plan to finish your dissertation in manageable pieces. Try everything, don't give up, believe in yourself you have got good grades you CAN do this, you are capable and have shown it. Don't worry about anyone else, do it for yourself. I believe in you.

Original poster
KnuckFows · 08/12/2019 23:20

This was my extension, unfortunately.

No our Uni doesn't allow a second try for the dissertation. It's a pass or fail. You can't re submit for a capped grade, the way you can for other work.

OP posts:
SuperLoudPoppingAction · 08/12/2019 23:23

When's it due?

What's the word count?

What accommodations have you accessed on the course to help with your adhd?

Could you repeat the year? I study with someone who did all the classes last year but this year he's just writing the dissertation.

ChazsBrilliantAttitude · 08/12/2019 23:24

You have health conditions that affect your performance go and speak to your tutor and any student support services. Exhaust every possibility.

MarySidney · 08/12/2019 23:24

Yes, speak to your tutor. They don't want you to fail, and if there's any advice or practical help they can offer, they will.

If you can say you realise what the problem with the dissertation is and you have a plan for dealing with it, but your medical issues have held you back, you'd have a good chance of getting an extension, I should think, if regulations allow it.

Original poster
KnuckFows · 08/12/2019 23:24

They already allowed me an extension so they can't just give me another one. As far as I know, if I requested another, a committee would review and decide and they'll just see im not capable of it.

I don't think I can do it adequately even if I had a hundred years, I don't have it in me to present the information in the correct format.

OP posts:
sarahC40 · 08/12/2019 23:27

Genuinely, ask for help. I ended up with an extra year to finish mine and passed. I was so convinced mine was shit, that my very prim mother said ‘fuck me, you passed’ when I rang her.

HowDeepIsYourGlove · 08/12/2019 23:34

I’ll let you into a little secret... it’s virtually impossible to fail a masters degree unless you just don’t submit anything.
You’ll get a pass even with the shoddiest of work, it may just scrape through but they are incredibly unlikely to fail you.

ChazsBrilliantAttitude · 08/12/2019 23:36

You sound utterly down and negative. Have you actually tested your perception by speaking to a tutor or getting them to review your work?
I am not sure you are judging the situation in the same way they will.

Isaididont · 08/12/2019 23:41

I think too it is concerning that you say your family will be contemptuous and that there’s been a fixation with you being bright. It just sounds like a lot of expectations have been put on me and maybe intelligence and academic achievement is what they value above anything else?
In the short term please do hand in what you’ve got - as someone said it’s unlikely you’ll fail if you hand something in!

Isaididont · 08/12/2019 23:41

*put on you
Not me!

Original poster
KnuckFows · 08/12/2019 23:43

I’ll let you into a little secret... it’s virtually impossible to fail a masters degree unless you just don’t submit anything.
You’ll get a pass even with the shoddiest of work, it may just scrape through but they are incredibly unlikely to fail you.

That isn't right. Other students on my course have failed essays. Im sure they don't like to fail people but if the work isn't good enough, what choice do they have?

It really cannot pass. It is a meta analysis of secondary data, which was all agreed with my supervisor so seemed like it was ok. But - I HAVE NO RESULTS! So its not in any way an original piece of writing that is also backed up with academic rigour.

It's just like an extended lit review, and then me giving my opinions about what the important bits are.

No cigar. That's the reality. I don't really have a supervisor now as it was an extension, and she would have let me send stuff to her unofficially but I didn't as I felt awkward about asking for her time when I wasn't a student in attendance, and now it's too late.

OP posts:
Original poster
KnuckFows · 08/12/2019 23:44

Oh ffs my bold didn't work, sorry @HowDeepIsYourGlove

OP posts:
PapayaCoconut · 08/12/2019 23:45

You sound like me when I was doing my Ba. I was 100% convinced my final year research project would fail. I could've told you the reasons in minute detail. I told several people I was expecting to fail. I got a first. Submit and see. You could be wrong about this. Sometimes it's really hard to tell when you suffer from a lack of confidence, which it sounds like you do.

Ellisandra · 08/12/2019 23:47

How can you have both a dissertation that would be OK at undergrad level, but also no data?

That suggests to me that you’re not thinking clearly and that you should go to bed now, try not to talk yourself up into a worse state, and contact your supervisor tomorrow.