Dissertation motivation!

pandora205

1000 words done so far - only another 3000 to do by Monday! (Or Sunday really as Monday is the deadline but I'm just going to have to drive to uni to give it in.)

I think I can make it though won't do much else this weekend.

Still I'm on a roller now, though will stop quite soon tonight.

And it's not brilliant - yet. In fact I'll need to reread the course materials and refer to them to make sure those are included as well as my own research background.

Why do we put ourselves through this???? And why have I left it so late again?

Jolaaled

pandora205 wrote: »

1000 words done so far - only another 3000 to do by Monday! (Or Sunday really as Monday is the deadline but I'm just going to have to drive to uni to give it in.)

I think I can make it though won't do much else this weekend.

Still I'm on a roller now, though will stop quite soon tonight.

And it's not brilliant - yet. In fact I'll need to reread the course materials and refer to them to make sure those are included as well as my own research background.

Why do we put ourselves through this???? And why have I left it so late again?

Exactly the question I frequently ask of myself! Like you, i'm only doing my course for 'me'..not for career move, which make it seem completely crazy! Good luck this weekend with your 3K words. Essay is coming on ok, but haven't looked at Diss for over a week now. :eek:

pandora205

You're obviously up (and working?) early again - well done. I was too but have other stuff to do here so just now on PC, though I did read a government report in bed this morning (how sad, hey?) The trouble with reading stuff at this stage is it gives even more ideas and it does become unwieldy. 4000 words sounds like a lot before you start and then.. intro and plan described and its 1000 gone! Strange how much there is to say once started.

Anyway, a quick dabble on here and then onwards! Definition of two key terms next - it's the theoretical stuff and not really my field (more philosophy than psychology) so better check I'm saying the right thing first. Oh, and put in some references of course.

Talking of references, why are mine never simple? There are websites, forums, personal emails, all sorts of strange reports and summaries that are tricky to reference. I should just stick to journals, it would be much easier!

Update 4.30 pm
1600 words now....... over the worse (most abstract) bit so hopefully it will get easier! Aim is 3k today but that might be optimistic!

Jolaaled

Well done, Pandora..you are getting there! I hope you've made headway today and are getting closer to your 4K words.

My essay is nearly done..I'm gonna print it off tonight and then polish tomorrow. I've got to the stage now, where i'll do anything to get it finished! (as i must get back to the dissertation soon!).

References...horrible things. I do use mostly journals, so can copy and paste from the bibliography at the end of the PDF articles, usually, which saves time. Internet stuff: i just put in the web address and download date. At uni, we have to follow APA guidelines. (Think were at the same uni tho!). Can't suggest what else to help.

GOOD LUCK!:beer:

pandora205

Congratulations Jolaaled on finishing yours in draft. I'll be doing that tomorrow evening if I'm lucky.

11.20 pm 2000+ words, though lots of stops (cooking, ironing, dash to shops) It is getting there slowly, or at least half way and I've loads of notes and a very detailed plan!

I'm still struggling with refererences, as I have thinks like papers presented at conferences and other non-standard stuff. We use Harvard referencing but I'm still learning so I have to keep checking how to do it. We did have a look at Endnote but I can't use it remotely (ie at home) and I live too far from uni for that to be helpful.

You're obviously doing psychology too (re APA guidelines).

Updates:
11 am 2400 words (though quite a lot of this is my reference list which is and doesn't count).
5.30 pm 3300 (getting there slowly, though lots of proof reading and amendments will be needed!)
10.00 p.m. 3600 (now I'm writing too much and running out of space!)

Jolaaled

Yes..psychology is my subject too!

Re: Endnote. I managed to get a free version on my laptop last year, but I didn't really find it very useful. I discovered that I still had to enter all the data by hand into the programme fields, so I didn't find it very time-saving at all (although some of my fellow students swear by it).

Hope you have a fruitful day today.

Jolaaled

newmum1

Hey all I know just how your all feeling i have 4000 words due in on social policy next week, i had last week off and didnt get much done now im starting to panick - why does it always seem so easy when you are planning but once you start to write it suddenly becomes a lot more difficult?? my deadline for submission is 12th june and i cant wait once its in my summer can begin- yipee back to the grind eh folks

pandora205

Well, my assignment is finally finished - hooray! I stayed up until 3.30 am and still hadn't completed it but had some time at work today to do it. I phoned the uni who said it was okay to post it (I was going to drive up)......

Anyway, it's not that brilliant, especially towards the end which was a bit rambling and the conclusion wasn't as eloquent and impact making as I'd have liked but I didn't have any more time........

Let's hope I don't have to resubmit!!!

Next time, I'm going to be organised. In fact I'm going to have a few days off then get right on with the next (two or three of 4000 words due for 1st September, depending on whether I do them all).

Jolaaled

well done, Pandora! What a marathon staying up til 3.30am. You must be exhausted! but relieved that's one out of the way.

Have finished essay and will get back to diss today, when i've finished 'proper' work (i.e. the paid stuff!).

pandora205

Well done you too Jolaaled. You are very disciplined!

I'm having a couple of days off... Then have two days at uni (Fri+Sat) so probably won't do much studying.

But next week I'm going to make a start with the next assignment - also related to my research topic (Critically review a major study related to research or something like that). The good thing is I should be able to use some of this for my first chapters (fingers crossed).