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Original poster

Bad dissertation feedback

7 replies

fxsdop · 08/04/2022 20:56

I have been working my arse off the past year on my undergraduate dissertation. However, I have found it very, very challenging.

My dissertation supervisor wrote me a reference a month or two ago and stated that I was on track for a 2.1 which I have sat comfortably at for the past 2 years (was sitting at a first in first and second year but that doesn't count towards final grade).

My dissertation is due in a week and I sent my final full draft to my supervisor two weeks ago. Today I got feedback and it was terrible, in one comment she wrote 'eeek'. We had a meeting and she said there is not enough analysis, too descriptive and that my methodology chapter is weak due to a lack of citations. She also said it doesn't highlight my questions adequately. She gave me soooo much feedback of things that I need to change. I'm overwhelmed.

She said that changes like these could bring a students work up from a 2.2 to a 1st, so I am now thinking I am barely sitting at a 2.2. At the end she said, 'these things I'm telling you to change are higher level things and I know you're capable', I replied 'so it's not complete garbage then?' She said, 'it's not garbage at all, I'm not worried you will fail or anything'.

I've had a really good relationship with my supervisor throughout so I trust her feedback but I just have a sick feeling now that I'm going to get a 2.2 or less and it's going to pull my final grade down.

Has anyone else received really poor feedback and then managed to get a good grade? I have just over a week so will obviously be working on it but I'm still worried that even implementing the changes isn't going to pull my grade up much. I feel like I've fucked it.

OP posts:
tearinghairout · 08/04/2022 21:06

She hasn't given you much time, has she? Could you possibly get an extension? But anyway, it sounds as if she's told you what you need to change/add and that she has faith you're capable of delivering, so I wouldn't worry about trying to predict your grade but just get on with polishing it in the time you have left. Good luck!

Original poster
fxsdop · 08/04/2022 21:17

@tearinghairout

She hasn't given you much time, has she? Could you possibly get an extension? But anyway, it sounds as if she's told you what you need to change/add and that she has faith you're capable of delivering, so I wouldn't worry about trying to predict your grade but just get on with polishing it in the time you have left. Good luck!
Unfortunately the deadline for extensions is passed and to be honest, I would rather just get it out the way at this point. I think I'll have enough to to implement the feedback but yeah more time would have been better! Thank you!
OP posts:
TenThousandSpoons · 08/04/2022 21:20

Shouldn’t you have had some feedback on how it’s going before the week before it’s due in?

Original poster
fxsdop · 08/04/2022 21:24

@TenThousandSpoons

Shouldn’t you have had some feedback on how it’s going before the week before it’s due in?
I was submitting chapters as I went for review. So she gave me feedback on each chapter individually. Then she asked for the final draft and has given me lots of feedback even with the individual chapter feedback implemented.
OP posts:
SpiderinaWingMirror · 08/04/2022 21:24

At this stage, trust her, do as she suggests and get it in.

poetryandwine · 08/04/2022 22:30

I am sure this wasn’t easy to hear, but I have supervised a number of undergraduates dissertations and I do not hear your supervisor telling you that you are necessarily on track for a 2.2. I hear that the changes she is suggesting can make a huge difference.

I get that waiting two weeks for feedback wasn’t ideal, but lecturers are drowning in work and all of this feedback is probably discretionary. She gave you feedback on every chapter. I have never heard of a university unit where a second go would be expected. If you can treat this as a favour, even a belated one, that might help. I am the only other person I have heard of who gives two rounds of feedback on UG projects. Ultimately it sounds to me like she thinks you can do better, and that is a great thing. Not everyone can

Kite22 · 08/04/2022 22:36

@poetryandwine

I am sure this wasn’t easy to hear, but I have supervised a number of undergraduates dissertations and I do not hear your supervisor telling you that you are necessarily on track for a 2.2. I hear that the changes she is suggesting can make a huge difference.

I get that waiting two weeks for feedback wasn’t ideal, but lecturers are drowning in work and all of this feedback is probably discretionary. She gave you feedback on every chapter. I have never heard of a university unit where a second go would be expected. If you can treat this as a favour, even a belated one, that might help. I am the only other person I have heard of who gives two rounds of feedback on UG projects. Ultimately it sounds to me like she thinks you can do better, and that is a great thing. Not everyone can

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