Dissertation motivation!

pavlovs_dog

well done on getting into med school sali, bet you're beaming from ear to ear

my motivation has up and left me. i really, really need to get back into it and knuckle down

meema

Jolaaled wrote: »

well done, Meena...you've been working so hard! Must be such a relief to get the methods done.

Meena..Uni has suggested we write our intro first, before doing anything...seems very odd, as, although i've written a fair bit of my intro now, i'm sure i'll change it loads, once i write my methods bit.
So i intend to begin to tackle my data (have collected about 50%, but still more to get) and put on SPSS, then begin to analyse, as i think this will make writing the intorduction a bit easier. It's been such a struggle!

Do you have any (more!) tips??

Don't worry..there are loads of different ways of doing it, within reason it doesn't matter which bit you start first as you'll be tinkering with it the whole way through. I started off by doing a very short introduction (we had to submit it as an essay a few months ago), then data collection and entry, then methods, now i'm back to my intro which will change quite a bit. Will also be doing some analysis which will change my intro even more.

The best tip I ever had (which other people have already mentioned on this thread) is to just write - even if it's nonsense and ungrammatical. Also, try explaining your study/theory to people who aren't doing your course. If you can tell them about it in everyday language it's a good sign you know what you're talking about. It's so easy to get bogged down with small details and to forget the bigger picture.

I'm using SPSS too so if you need any help just ask!

meema

Grace_ wrote: »

Good morning lovely people


Meema- Well done for making good progress, keep up with the hard work.

thank you, I will try!!

sorry to hear ur feeling demotivated..is there anything you can do to give yourself a little boost? I just gave myself a lovely manicure, always helps me study weirdly enough! good luck!

Jolaaled

meema wrote: »

...try explaining your study/theory to people who aren't doing your course. If you can tell them about it in everyday language it's a good sign you know what you're talking about. It's so easy to get bogged down with small details and to forget the bigger picture.

I'm using SPSS too so if you need any help just ask!

THanks, Meena..i will.
Yes..telling others about your topic REALLY REALLY helps. I can bore the pants of everyone with my study! And if no one is around, i just tell the dog!!

sali_mali

BAAARGH!!

Sorry just need a quick vent!

I've been writing the lecture I have to give on my dissertation and I cannot for the life of me cut it down to the right length!! There's too much to say, it's already so brief that I think there's no way anybody who isn't an expert on the subject could understand it.

How the hell can I cut it down? Everything in it is vital!!

RRRAAANNNNTTT!!

*Breathe* Ok I'm done

meema

sali_mali wrote: »

BAAARGH!!

How the hell can I cut it down? Everything in it is vital!!

RRRAAANNNNTTT!!

*Breathe* Ok I'm done

Put away all your notes, journals, books, etc..and write a 200 word summary of what your dissertation is about. The key things will stick out in your mind and not everything that's in your dissertation will have to go in your presentation.

My friends are always sending me their essays if they've written too much as I have the ability to be very concise (too concise at times...I'm usually struggling to reach a word limit where others are struggling to stay within it).

If you send me it today I can have a go at pruning? Can't later in the week though.

Good luck

sali_mali

Wow thanks for the offer Meema, that's really kind of you! I'm going to give my lecture later to my sister because she's sort of my target audience so she should be able to help me cut some chunks out, but thank you for that anyway

Hope everyone else is managing to stay on track with theirs

ames123_2

Hey everyone! Glad to see people are getting on with their work. Not the case with me however! Not got any done at home. Am nowback at uni and still not doing it. Aghhhh!!!

jay11_2

Hi All, I know how you feel ames, my motivation has died an orrible death too, it's soooo hard, I just want it all to be over.

Anyone know if people get to hand-in date with, well, nowt to hand in?:eek:

We don't have any leeway at my uni, unless it mitigating circs. If it's late you get a minimum pass, if you're lucky, and I need at least a 2:2 to get the honours bit that makes my degree worthwhile vocationally, so 40% wouldn't cut it.

Between that and personal stuff over the past 2 years(watched my marks slide ever lower ), I'm finding it really hard to see light at the end of the tunnel, dissertation just feels overwhelming at the mo.

That said, well done those of you who are making progress,

Sorry for the rant:o

meema

Hey Jay..sorry to hear you're struggling! motivation is a fickle thing!

When my motivation was low it really helped me to write down everything i had to do (including expected word counts) and make a timetable. Sometimes with big pieces of work I have to do this a few times as i keep falling off the wagon!!

And I know it's easier said than done....but, try not to worry about the grade you need to get and just do what you can in the time you have. Try to remember why u picked this project or degree & why you're interested in it.

And it will be over eventually And no matter what happens it won't be the end of the world!

good luck !!!