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Mature study and retraining

Talk to other Mumsnetters who are considering a career change or are mature students.

Leaving MSc before completing thesis

30 replies

wonderstuff · 02/08/2022 21:09

Got a call booked with student services on Friday, wondering if anyone has opinions on options for me?
Im doing an MSc Psychology conversion, distance learning, completed taught modules and about half way through thesis module. I’ve totally run out of steam. I always knew this would be the most difficult bit. I have adhd and struggle with long projects. My supervisor is lovely but I’m just not getting work done, I can’t seem to motivate myself or organise myself. It’s massively stressing me out, to the point that it’s affecting my sleep. I think my best option is to withdraw.

I had hoped to apply for the DEdPsy after this, but if I can’t get the thesis done then I can’t imagine I’ll be able to compete a doctorate, so killing myself over the thesis seems pointless.

Im 43 and I’m wondering if I’m just too old. If I withdraw and then decide my mental health is good enough to do the thesis, maybe in a year, would that be possible?

im a teacher part of my motivation was fear of having to teach until I’m 68, now I need to reassess. I’ve told everyone my plans, going to feel such a failure

OP posts:
SuperLoudPoppingAction · 10/08/2022 09:21

Chunked, not chucked!

Nanny67 · 10/08/2022 09:26

I'm 55 and graduated in March with my Masters. I literally had a breakdown about 4 months prior because I wanted to give up. The dissertation just seemed like such a huge mountain. However I got help from student support/disability as I waz struggling with my mh and they were fab! In the end I got a distinction.
You got this!! One step at a time, break it down, seek support.

wonderstuff · 10/08/2022 09:40

SuperLoudPoppingAction · 10/08/2022 09:21

I have adhd and found a mentor very helpful in terms of accountability.
Try and see it as a series of hurdles rather than just one. Chunk it out. Getting ethics through is one hurdle. Doesn't need to be your best standard of writing. Just needs to make sense.

Lit review can be chucked out as smaller sections.
Once you've done that and you have data, writing can be easier as it's about a tangible thing you did.

Also with hrt, I was v affected by the pill but hrt is a lower dose and doesn't bother me.
The patches are easier to remember than pills. Again, more tangible!

Really good to know regarding hrt

OP posts:
wonderstuff · 10/08/2022 09:41

Nanny67 · 10/08/2022 09:26

I'm 55 and graduated in March with my Masters. I literally had a breakdown about 4 months prior because I wanted to give up. The dissertation just seemed like such a huge mountain. However I got help from student support/disability as I waz struggling with my mh and they were fab! In the end I got a distinction.
You got this!! One step at a time, break it down, seek support.

Well done! Star

OP posts:
purple12345678 · 21/08/2022 20:17

How are you getting on, OP? I had to check you weren't me. I'm also doing my MSc, have ADHD and diagnosed with dyslexia a few months ago. I'm really struggling with my dissertation.

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