I have the fear

[mustdash]

So, I'm on TMA05. Up till this one, I have always had reason to be proud that I was getting them in, and getting (I think) good-ish marks, under very difficult personal circumstances.

The reason for my earlier difficulties has passed, and a reasonable amount of time now elapsed so I really don't have an excuse any more. So, this is the one I have to get a really good mark for. For no reason other than that that is the target I have set myself - no excuse, and I am I think quite capable of decent work.

BUT I have the fear. Pages and pages of notes. Several plans, all scrapped. A started document, and another filled with all the bits I have cut out.

Any advice please, please on how to get out of this? My lovely tutor has given me an extension, but I still need to get it in this week - tomorrow really.

I take ages to get going. I find the easiest way is to start in note form. I make bullet points of what I want/need to include and then set out filling them out. Once you have started it gets easier so get on with it and the hardest part is done.

I really need to get finished on this assignment tonight, or midday tomorrow at the latest.

Good luck!

Thank you. I know I'm being a wuss, but I am terrified of not getting a good mark now. Silly and pointless.

Good luck to you too.

Try not to think about the mark and try not to have an expectation of yourself at this stage. You have an imminent deadline, therefore your only objective is to produce 2000 words (or whatever) on the subject you have been given.

Your priority right now is to write that first line. If I am writing close to a deadline (and I am see below) then I try to revise each pgraph as I go along so it is very close if not the final draft.

Put a high level plan under the question, to prevent the 'arrghh what next' writers block moments. This is my plan for a compare and contrast of 2 themes - 2000 words...

Intro and Thesis
Pgraph 1 = Comparison A (Theme 1 & 2) - 400 words
Pgraph 2 = Comparison B (Theme 1 & 2) - 400 words
Pgraph 3 = Comparison C (Theme 1 & 2) - 400 words
Pgraph 4 = Comparison D (Theme 1 & 2) - 400 words
Conslusion = Mention comparison A,B,C,D but end with comparison that supports argument that topic 1&2 are/aren't similar as proposed in the introudction/thesis.

Then just write... every 200 words post on here... it will keep you focused.

Don't go to bed until you are comfortably ahead.

Drink lots of coffee.

Worry about the mark later.

Sorry if I am telling you how to suck eggs!! Good luck xx

btw- I am also taking the above advice, 2000 words by 12pm tomorrow, currently at 900

Thank you so much. I am going to keep this in a safe place, and refer to it very very often. Not just because you have both offered such good advice, but because you have so nice about it, and generous with your time.

It will be done, and I'll get whatever mark it is worth, and that is good enough for now.

Thank you

Raggydoll is there a copyright on that? Or can I just do a quick copy and paste?

help yourself :-D

It is tried and tested on way too many, last minute, by the skin of my teeth, essays...

Finally got it all done and in, and I even think I've checked my references properly.

Thanks for all the help - and strategy sharing.

tonight not I think!