Student parents support thread

[Lenni]

I used to come on this topic a year or so ago and post on the general hand holding support thread but it seems to have gone so I'm hoping there might be enough of us to start a new one.

I'm in my final leg of a M.Ed in Education and am currently writing my thesis which is going very slowly okay but am struggling to find time, motivation or energy to study. It would be nice to know others are in the same boat and have a place to handhold, moan, swap tips and motivate each other.

I'm starting writing up my dissertation today.

I have 9 days to complete my coding and write my first draft.

I'm getting a bit worried that it's not possible in the time frame but must be done.

It's been very quiet on here lately so guessing everyone is working hard

3000 words done. 5000 to go

Cheering you on here Mia

I have a short (1500) essay due in tomorrow and haven't started it yet

Going to get off mn now and crack on

Thanks molesworth

Good luck with the essay

how are you getting on Mia amd Molesworth?

I NEED to get this presentation finished tody as my sis and neices are descending on us tomorrow to stay until sunday. It will be nice but means I wont be able to get any uni work done and I have loads to do in the next fortnight.

Have done 6 out of ten slides I am aiming to do for this, so I have 3 hours to do the remaining 4. better crack on

BBL

4 slides in 3 hours sounds doable dylsmum.

At least once it's done you know you can take a break and enjoy some time with your sister.

I've only done 300 words today but I've been reorganising my work and sorting out my references. Starting to freak out about how bad my dissertation is. I'm still not sure where I'm even going with it.

I got to remember what my dissertation tutor told me "it doesn't have to be perfect it just has to be done". Otherwise I spend ages wasting time on one section making sure it's right before I can move on to the next part. I've got too much to do and too little time to ensure it's perfect but I can't shake my perfectionist tendencies and I'm getting a bit freaked out.

Mia I think I can do it, but I haven't done all the research on the topic yet, am doing it as I go.

I do have 2 other assignments to write and an exam to revise for, but I cant remember the dates for them as they kept being changed, am poppin to see a uni friend after school so hopefully she will know and tell mwe what I am supposed to be doing (why I don't have them written down I don't know )

How long have you got left to write your dissertation in Mia?

"it doesn't have to be perfect it just has to be done"

Excellent advice. I had that one hammered into me a few years ago by one of my tutors and it has helped me no end!

Just submitted my essay which I wrote in about 4 hours last night and this morning. Not my finest hour.

Good luck with the slides, dylsmum - it sounds doable, keep plugging away!

And continuing to cheer you on Mia, you're making good progress

Got another week to finish my first draft dylsmum (2 days longer than I originally though )

Molesworth-

"it doesn't have to be perfect it just has to be done"

is excellent advice but I just can't seem to change my mind set. I have only managed to add 300 words to my word count today because I keep messing with what I've written so far arrgggghhh.

I really shouldn't be getting so stressed about it because it's only a first draft. I will get feedback from my tutor and another fortnight to make amendments so should give me plenty of time to make some improvements.

Glad you managed to get your essay completed Molesworth

Thanks for the support ladies

Mia I like it when I get the days wrong and I have longer than I think.

I have just finished my presentation(finally!). need to do a quick handout for my peers . can make that very quickly from the info I have already done so will do that in the morning.

next assignment to start once I have done that.

Well done on completing your presentation dylsmum.

Is it the early years pgce you are doing in September?

thanks mia
I'm doing primary pgce, but want to be in the younger part of the school.

That's great. I'm starting the early years pgce in September. Hopefully we can keep on encouraging each other through that year too.

I've been reading the student teacher threads of TES and it scares the hell out of me the number of people drop out. Think we are in for a hard year

thats a good idea, it does seem pretty intense my uni have sent me a list of books etc already and some work i have to complete in a placement this summer, that looks very involved already.

right, i've got an assignment that i've promised myself i'm going to crack by friday, as i've got the rest of the week off work.

four parts - research (done), research diary (done but needs tidying and reformatting), write up/ presentation (done) and methodological critique (woefully undone and too may options/ not enough decision).
this should take about a day, but i know i'm going to procrastinate. i just have to choose one methodology for the critique, but have about 8 in my head...

i'm entering the 'omg' phase, as i've got about a month before i need to fly back to the uk and get everything except dissertation submitted (aug). if anyone sees me on any other thread until i'm done, just shoot me.

i'm confident-ish, but would appreciate bullying all the way to the finish line...

i keep getting bursts of enthusiasm and then grinding to a halt - so envious of you lot!

I've ground to a halt today madwoman. Like you the enthusiasm is on and off like a tap.

Didn't get anything done today. I need to get my butt into gear tomorrow.

evening all, I didn't get much done in the end yesterday, I sat all day reading around subject but I just cant get a start on this assignment. today was dd's birthday so had lots of fun playing all day.

So must get on with assignment tomorrow. Will try and break down into chunks to see if I can make it more managemable. perhaps set a goal of writing 500 words att a time to see if that helps. will see how I feel tomorrow. Am shattered now just waiting for dd's bday cake for her party to finish cooking then off to bed.

morning all.

I MUST get on with this report I want it finished by sunday evening. So I am going to write 500 words this morning before I stop for lunch.

If I am seen on here before then- chase me away!

I'm back in the groove. I completed my coding yesterday and have done another 1000 words of my dissertation today.

4000 done 4000 to go.

Hope dd enjoys her party dylsmum

wow you are working hard Mia. Send your groove this way please . am really struggling getting back into uni work this year every assignment has felt like pulling teeth. I have a fortnight left and still have not got my groove back!

I have got 558 words of this report. and stopped for lunch need to get going again now, I have 2 hours before I have to go and collect dc so am aiming to have 1000 words written by then. this is a 3000 word assignment so need to work hard in the evenings to get it done by sunday evening

ooo, well done both. it's slow going here. (and have broken my resolve not to mn)

but it'll be finished. just maybe tomorrow instead of today

Did you get it finished madwoman?

How's the report going dylsmum?

I've had another good day. Hit my target of a 1000 words by 12.30 so have spent the rest of the day chilling out with dp and dd.

5000 words done 3000 to go (Wednesday's dealine is looming though)

Mia thats good going- I need some of your oomph!
was planning on doing some work last night once dc in bed but my aunt visited. today we had dance lessons followed by swim lessons followed by dd's party. just got her off to bed now, going to have a bath then I will get on and do another 500 words before I go to bed tonight. I must get more work done at weekends but there is always something more interesting to do.........

I don't envy you working in the evening/nights.

I hate working after 4 p.m. I'm definatly at my best in the mornings. I like to get it over and done with.

I'm dreading the pgce because I know that I'll have to do work during the evening because I won't have time during the day.

Good luck with your 500 words dylsmum

I don't like working after 4pm, but there is no way this work is going to get done in time if i don't do it now
Oh well like you say it'll be good training for the pgce