Dissertation motivation!

pandora205

Hi - thanks sali mali I did get it done, just! I phoned up the uni to check and they said today's post would be fine, so you've guessed - I kept going to the last minute (not easy as I was also working!) I made the 4000 words and included all the points I meant to, although stylistically the middle section wasn't as eloquent as I'd like. I'm just hoping I don't get it back for improvements, which is a possibility as this is my first assignment.
Thanks for the encouragement ferris. I'm not too worried about publishing on this topic, as it's not my thesis area. I'm actually doing a taught doctorate, which is 50% taught, the rest research. The assignment was on the first module of the course. I have three others to do before September.... two on reseach methods, the third on the next section of the course. From now on I'll pace myself, as the last one was tooooo stressful! I'm new to electronic literature searches and very rusty at conventions for referencing, etc. so this has been a steep learning curve.
Good luck with your courses everyone... it's amazing what can be done with a bit of focus! And the encouragement here is just what I need!

Morn

This thread has been a life saver to me.

I am struggling big time at the moment to the point where I have thought about just ditching it. But reading this thread has made me think sod it, I will be submitting my project on time and will achieve a good grade.

Thanks

pavlovs_dog

i think its the knowledge that other people are feeling the same morn. there's nothing worse than feeling like you're in it on your own. ive found this thread has been great for giving me the huge kick up the bum that i needed

sali_mali

I'm getting a lot of help from this thread too, really helps to have a moan to other people who kow exactly what you're going through!

I spent HOURS on the damn thing yesterday, making up for missed time, but it's paid off! I should be finished by midday/early aftternoon today. HOORAY!!

ames123_2

When's it in for? Well done!

sali_mali

Finished and sent :beer: :j :T

It was due in yesterday ames, but I had a little extension because of stuff going on at home. Unfortunately, this is only the first draft so I'm not finished yet, but at least I'm donr for now! Hooray!!

How's everyone else doing? I've got to crack on with the piles of other work I've got left to do now :eek:

Grace_

Right now I'm feeling very demotivated...got a few things going on so not been able to focus on dissertation as much as I would have liked to. Supervisor has gone on holiday, so anything I do from now until the Mid-April hand in date is entirely unchecked.

To top that off I received my result for an essay yesterday...only to find out this morning that I had been given the wrong results. I understand mistakes can be made, but it has been very upsetting and inconvenient.

This week is just going from bad to worse

vixarooni

Make sure this thread is still alive by the time the summer comes!

At least people writing theres are in rubbish weather. When i start it will be glorious sunshine no doubt.

Anyone have theres due in on december?

sali_mali

Oh dear Grace, you didn't manage to get any help with yours then? How much have you done so far? You poor thing, no wonder you're feeling demotivated!

Take the night off tonight, get up early tomorrow and start fresh. Forget about your supervisor for now, just get what you can done. The other supervisors may be more reasonable if they see that you're trying your best

pandora205

Hi guys. Just to mention that one of the strategies I used when I got really desperate was to read articles on avoiding procrastination! Most weren't very helpful - giving advice such as don't leave assignments till the last minute, and 'just do it!'

This one was useful though:

http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.jsp?articleId=281474977244196

I listed lots of reasons why I wanted to do my course and stuff I'd done in the past to remind me what I can do... not just academic things but other achievements like skiing a difficult run. I wrote them on post-its on the wall next to my PC and glanced at them when the self talk got negative (you know: I'm never going to get this done.... why on earth am I doing it? I might as well give up now... etc.) Anyway, it worked for me...

(Ah... apologies, I see someone earlier already found this article! I could have saved myself a lot of procrastination by reading back more thoroughly. )