To think I can do a dissertation by April while working FT

[104c]

I'm an UG student at an online uni (like the OU). I need to write a 10,000 word dissertation. I am working 40-45 hours a week plus have commitments 1-2 evenings a week and about 1 in 3 weekends (this is already minimised and can't reduce any more). I only need to achieve a pass in the dissertation - ie 40% - if I pass, i graduate with a first on the strength of my exam results (I'm very fortunate that they played to my strengths, but writing is not one of them! I'm doing a maths-adjacent degree). The deadline is 2nd April.

So far, I've written a draft introduction and literature review (and then found out you're supposed to write the intro at the end of the research, so that will need some reworking! but the lit review is basically there now) so essentially 3500 words drafted. I have been keeping on top of referencing as I go and maintaining the reference list.

I'm pretty much ready to submit my final research proposal, it just needs tweaking and approving by the supervisor before I can start research (hoping for next week). I've chosen a relatively hands-off research method (online survey) so once that's online, I can just leave it to run for 5 weeks while i write up my methodology and keep proofreading my drafts (i am also on hols for 2.5 weeks in that time). This weekend I've got all weekend off to proofread, plan my methodology, set the survey up online ready to go etc.

After the survey closes, I'll have 4 solid weekends in a row plus 2-3 evenings a week (total around 120 hours) to write up conclusions, findings, data analysis etc and then a final weekend and a few evenings to put all the pieces in order, put page numbers on, do a contents page etc. I also have a couple of days of study leave to play with so I'll use those if/when I need them. I'll give myself one or two weekday evenings a week "off" and i exercise on my lunch breaks 3 days a week so thats taken care of. DH is super supportive and is taking on extra cleaning, cooking etc to take the pressure off me however he possibly can.

Does this sound achievable? I could delay for three months and submit in July, but this would delay moving onto my professional qualification (need a degree to get onto it) which is a condition of me getting a promotion at work. If a role came up, and I'd delayed and missed out, i would kick myself.

How many hours in total did those of you with degrees work on your dissertations? I know the guidance is 400 hours, but i don't know anyone who has spent that long...

I mean I'm on a little over 9000 words and need to rewrite my results section after feedback while also needing to polish and reference and add things to everything else I've already written and bring it all up to 15000 words by the 29th Jan. I also work. You'll be fine!

Possible but tough (senior RG Professor here). Take annual or even unpaid leave if you can. That will ease the strain. Also write the findings first. Sounds counter intuitive but everything follows from them.

I did my research and full write up in 10 days total and got a (low) first from a notoriously harsh marker 2 years ago. Can't recommend leaving that little time however, the last 16 hours were extremely stressful - It was humanities though, so easier than many... Make sure you have all your data asap and you'll be grand. You've plenty of time to do a good job yet!

I did this. Get ready to be stressed but it is achievable. The advice to start with your results is good counsel. Good luck!

This is not my subject area but I have two UG degrees and did dissertations for both of them. I think what you have outlined sounds achievable as long as you stick to the plan
and DH continues to support you.
Mind you, I ended up running up to the department office door on submission day just as they were closing it with one of mine!

Does it need to be open for 5 weeks? Usually (if shared widely initally) the responses tail off after a couple of weeks. As the professor upthread said it needs to be based on findings. If you close it earlier you have time to analyse properly, write up findings and only then can you check if the rest is fit for purpose.

I think it sounds doable though!

I did mine in a fortnight. It turned out very well considering! I don't recommend my approach though.

Of course you can.

Can you move your holiday until after data collection so that you can spend that time working on getting a full draft done to then polish with any remaining time?

Thanks everyone for your responses!

@napody I'd be launching the survey next week at the earliest and am away for the last 2.5 weeks of Feb so even if I closed it early I wouldn't be able to do anything much with it until after I returned. @OMirrorBall unfortunately that's not an option, it's an expensive abroad holiday we would lose the whole amount if we cancelled, and the only dates my DH can do this year as he works to a different holiday calendar. I think being away during the data collection is the best option timewise

Thanks again all for your insights I do feel more ready to take it on after hearing your stories!

Easily. I wrote 75000 in a year alongside full time work, a 10k essay, and a 5k article. You’ll be fine. Just be consistent.

ETA: got a distinction in the first two, and the third was published. Masters level.

Me: I like to overthink and gently craft my words for far too long.

Best friend: Took a load of ProPlus and writes her dissertations in a weekend. Then takes a load of Night Nurse and sleeps for a week.

We were in our twenties. It was a long time ago.

I don't recommend either method, but I am sure you can do it, in a more planned way.

Sounds very achievable. To be honest if you defer till July you might just end up in the same situation then instead (I know I definitely would).

I work at a uni and support students with their dissertations, also did my own Masters dissertation in a rush as I was moving abroad before the deadline.

I think it sounds fine, as long as you stay focused and organised, which it sounds like you are. Set your weekly targets and make sure you hit them.

If you are disciplined it will be fine. I wrote my PhD thesis while working FT with a toddler and a baby, purely by working on it in the evenings. Rough but completely doable if you want it enough.

(Just remrnvered I also wrote a masters dissertation of 15000 words in a week, pre-kids. Completely doable).

Word can auto-fill your citations/references for you, I only found out about this after I finished uni so can't tell you how well it works but it would have saved so much time!

Ah, gotcha.

Well, if the survey does take a couple of weeks longer to design (don't underestimate that bit) at least you can keep your closing date the same and know that it's probably not going to affect your response rate much at all :) Good luck! I reckon you'll do it.

Pain in the bum isn't it love getting in the way! I'm on 2 separate uni courses and had it all timed that dissertation was did in the autumn then the next thing due end of Jan. Except there was a delay in my ethical approval then a delay in recruitment for reasons I couldn't control so they gave me an extension on the diss to end of Jan. So now I'm attempting to get an extension on thing 2! Good luck!

@104c I'm sure you'll be fine, it sounds like you're organised! I have a recent similar experience and my top tip is to wear a mask on public transport and in shops as you approach the final stages (maybe on the plane back from holiday) and take lots of vitamin C and get adequate sleep! Nothing worse than having exactly the time needed left to write, and then coming down with Covid or the flu and having to spend a week in bed with a fever.

@OMirrorBall thanks so much for the tip, I didn't think of that even though a friend of mine recently failed his essay for leaving it to the last minute and catching Covid!

Thank you again everybody for your contributions xx