Is anyone else doing a masters dissertation in lockdown? Some support needed.

[Trampauline]

Just finding this very lonely and surreal. Am working four days a week (at home now) and trying to do this dissertation as well. Getting really stressed. Is anyone else in a similar position?

Ginger Scallop, yes I’m essentially comparing planning policy for green space across London. What is the org your sil works for? It would be useful to look into their work and views.

Got my dissertation results back today. 62%. I’m not going to be setting the world on fire but it’s a pass and I’ve got my masters!!

Well done @Wrongdissection you must be so pleased and relieved! I would be happy to get 62%. I can't wait to get mine done with.

Thank you, it’s a huge weight off my shoulders! Best of luck, I’m sure you’ll smash it.

Does anyone have any info about LMA Liverpool for BA Acting? They have good website but it seems to be an Performing Arts FE college that now offers degree courses. It’s not included in the federation of drama schools and I can’t find any independent reviews. Can anyone help? My daughter got to the final round for LIPA but unfortunately didn’t get in. LMA is offering same course title and still have places but is it any good? Thanks.

Hi @canarybird83, I don’t know anything about performing arts courses. You are better off starting a new thread on the higher education board. I’m sure someone will be able to help you there.

How is everyone getting on? I am seriously thinking I may need to put in a claim for extenuating circs. I have written the introduction, am only just starting properly on writing the lit review. I have sent out questionnaires and prepared for interviews. Have started data collection. The deadline is 25 Sept. I just don’t see how I can make it. I don’t know if I can make a successful claim to ECs due to Covid as I don’t have young kids to home school. My DD is 18 and her A levels have been cancelled. She is just at home and not seeing anyone so I am spending time with her in the evenings watching films, etc, as I am worried about her. I think I was in denial earlier when we went into lockdown that I would still have to do a dissertation by September as it all seemed so surreal (still does). I work four days a week at home so yes I have the other three days but it is so hard and lonely sitting at the same desk all week, it feels like.

Shall I just apply anyway? I think I could get it done by end November.

I’m pretty much in the same boat. I have one DC who missed A levels and one GCSEs and they do take up time and mental space, as well as a whole raft of other problems. I’m going to get in contact with my supervisor this week to see what is possible. She had indicated previously that mitigating circumstances would be looked at v sympathetically where they are COVID related and extensions given to December. Realistically, I’m not going to be able to buckle down to the solid work required till mid August, and its just too late (my deadline is mid-Sept). Part of me just wants it done but I really don’t see how I can fit it in right now with other things going on.

My advice (which I will take for myself!) is to work out exactly what is available.

Hi @TawnyPippit, have you been able to contact your supervisor? I hope you have had good news. I am not sure whether to broach it with mine now or see where I am by the end of July.

Hi! Yes, spurred on by this thread I got in contact with my supervisor and said I was looking for a mitigating circumstances extension for Covid related reasons. I outlined my issues and she was very sympathetic and said it was fine. It has to be formally approved but she is on the approval committee and knows the criteria they will apply, so all good. I get a deferral to December, there are no fee implications and I still graduate with my peers next year. I’m really pleased with how it has worked out, because I can actually do a proper job on it rather than squash it in to whatever time is left over from helping everyone else out.

Hope everyone else who needs flexibility gets given it. (My college is notoriously flexible, so I assumed they would be helpful). I feel so much better about it and recommend seeking an extension now if you think you are going to need one.

In the same boat so very relieved to find similar stories! Mine is due in early September and I'm struggling to find motivation. As is the case for many, I've been stuck in a small flat with a toddler for much of lockdown and can't bring myself to turn on my laptop. I desperately need the library to open so I can refocus in a new setting.

I hadn't even considered asking for an extension!

Fantastic news @TawnyPippit! You must be so relieved. I am a bit afraid to ask in case they say no and then what will I do! I need to pluck up courage. @shiveringwiggles, it’s so hard not being able to have a different setting to work in, isn’t it? I just can’t focus properly being at home all the time.

Can I join you. I've done piss all in lockdown because I am the most unmotivated person ever. I need to finish by Christmas as my registration runs out. I've done lit review and taken the data. I did that about 6 months ago and done nothing since. I dread checking my emails

Hello can I join?

I have an early September deadline and can only work on my dissertation at weekends, due to childcare. I can't mitigate as am due to begin a PhD in October. I am in the mire of a qualitative analysis, but have yet to put pen to paper for a single section

No idea how I'm going to pull this off!

I don't suppose anyone knows any uplifting stories of people writing 15000 word dissertations in a week and receiving full marks?

I can't sleep the more I think of it

Ah, can I join too? Dissertation due end August, hardly anything done yet. @Nordstrom I had PhD funding for October also, but negotiated a later start date after pleading COVID - worth a try?

@abientoe good news re the delayed start. To be honest I just want to get rid of the dissertation and move on. My imposter syndrome would probably cause me to run away screaming if I delayed

I submitted yesterday. Got to the point where i wouldn't have known what to do with it even if i kept hold of it until 5 mins before. Climbing out of the anticlimactic feeling into being happy that in this weird year I've done something to change my future. We'll all get there... koko

@Nordstrom imposter syndrome is a total 'mare. So good at seeing the good in others and not yourself.

Congratulations on submitting @sickofnickelodeon

I'm off to see if I can get an hour in before my brain signs off for the day!

Congratulations on submitting @sickofnickelodeon

I'm off to see if I can get an hour in before my brain signs off for the day!

Congratulations on submitting @sickofnickelodeon

I'm off to see if I can get an hour in before my brain signs off for the day!

X 3

Congratulations @sickofnickelodeon! You must be so pleased, and relieved.