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Can you write a 20,000 word diss in 3 days?
I'm a bit of a last minute person, and also had a pretty *****y year with my masters last academic year, so deferred 80% to this year, most of which I have now completed (although not with good grades as I was also working 2 jobs and not really in a great place mentally).
I now have 3 days to start and submit my 20,000 word dissertation. I did the same thing for my undergrad, but it was only 9,000 words, and I ended up with a 58. This time, I only need to pass, but I'm worried I'm not even going to manage a 50.
I know it's 100% my fault I've left it this late, but now I just have to get it done (this is the fourth extension I've had, as I've been trying to catch up with the 8 essays I've had to do this year, so that's not an option) and I'm paralysed with fear every time I sit down and try to write, I'm still on the research stage, I genuinely can't concentrate, and I'm really worried I'm going to fail. Just wondering if anyone else has similar experiences of writing a 20,000 word essay in a few days? Did you pass?
I now have 3 days to start and submit my 20,000 word dissertation. I did the same thing for my undergrad, but it was only 9,000 words, and I ended up with a 58. This time, I only need to pass, but I'm worried I'm not even going to manage a 50.
I know it's 100% my fault I've left it this late, but now I just have to get it done (this is the fourth extension I've had, as I've been trying to catch up with the 8 essays I've had to do this year, so that's not an option) and I'm paralysed with fear every time I sit down and try to write, I'm still on the research stage, I genuinely can't concentrate, and I'm really worried I'm going to fail. Just wondering if anyone else has similar experiences of writing a 20,000 word essay in a few days? Did you pass?
Reply 1
One of my ex lecturers did one in 48 hours with a lazy friend when they were both at undergrad level.
Reply 2
Suppose you could chop up and copy-paste 2Pac - Hit Em Up in Adobe Audition 20 times, then it'd be a 20,000 word diss.
Reply 3
Every or most the people around you think you will crumble eventually like a ***** and give up. Prove them wrong and it is as simple as that. Everything in you tells you to relax or sit around and delay it further. I honestly dare you to not give a **** about the negative thoughts and just start. If you do a little well you still did something. Go all out 100% beast mode and keep at it.
Reply 4
How about you stop wasting time asking if you can do it and actually do it
Reply 5
Original post
by YallMindIfIYeetHow about you stop wasting time asking if you can do it and actually do it
10/10 gr8 advice, hadn't thought of that!!!!!!!!!
As mentioned, paralysing fear of writing, I can't concentrate for more than 10 minutes without genuinely losing my mind and realising I've been staring at my screen but daydreaming for half an hour. I have my other tabs, notes, and research open as well and am really trying to write, and I'm checking this every time I feel myself getting distracted as motivation to continue. I really just wanted to know if anyone had been in a similar position and passed, as that would help motivate me/ push myself to finish.
Reply 6
@pghistorystudent If you're determined to do this, you need to just start writing - write anything to get the flow and you'll get into it.
A good tip I learned last year is if you can't think of the right word, pick an unusual word as use it as a placeholder. This stops you from breaking your flow to agonise over the right word. (I used redcabbage because apparently that was the word the person who came up with the technique - I can't find it now though, google isn't returning anything useful). Then at the end of writing you can use ctrl+f to search back through your document and put the right word in
It might help if you read and add references as you go so you don't need to worry about doing them all at the end.
Good luck!
A good tip I learned last year is if you can't think of the right word, pick an unusual word as use it as a placeholder. This stops you from breaking your flow to agonise over the right word. (I used redcabbage because apparently that was the word the person who came up with the technique - I can't find it now though, google isn't returning anything useful). Then at the end of writing you can use ctrl+f to search back through your document and put the right word in
It might help if you read and add references as you go so you don't need to worry about doing them all at the end.
Good luck!
Reply 7
Original post
by Puddles the Monkey@pghistorystudent If you're determined to do this, you need to just start writing - write anything to get the flow and you'll get into it.
A good tip I learned last year is if you can't think of the right word, pick an unusual word as use it as a placeholder. This stops you from breaking your flow to agonise over the right word. (I used redcabbage because apparently that was the word the person who came up with the technique - I can't find it now though, google isn't returning anything useful). Then at the end of writing you can use ctrl+f to search back through your document and put the right word in
It might help if you read and add references as you go so you don't need to worry about doing them all at the end.
Good luck!
A good tip I learned last year is if you can't think of the right word, pick an unusual word as use it as a placeholder. This stops you from breaking your flow to agonise over the right word. (I used redcabbage because apparently that was the word the person who came up with the technique - I can't find it now though, google isn't returning anything useful). Then at the end of writing you can use ctrl+f to search back through your document and put the right word in
It might help if you read and add references as you go so you don't need to worry about doing them all at the end.
Good luck!
Thank you - that redcabbage advice is really good!! I know if I put my head down and start writing that I can do 20,000 over the weekend, if I finish all my research today, I'm just worried it's pointless as it won't be coherent or passable. I always add my footnotes as I go, lesson learnt from first year when I forgot to include them and couldn't remember where the quotes were from!
Thanks for everyone's reply, I know it's silly but just having a little bit of encouragement even from strangers really helps with motivation
Reply 8
Original post
by pghistorystudentThank you - that redcabbage advice is really good!! I know if I put my head down and start writing that I can do 20,000 over the weekend, if I finish all my research today, I'm just worried it's pointless as it won't be coherent or passable. I always add my footnotes as I go, lesson learnt from first year when I forgot to include them and couldn't remember where the quotes were from!
Thanks for everyone's reply, I know it's silly but just having a little bit of encouragement even from strangers really helps with motivation
Thanks for everyone's reply, I know it's silly but just having a little bit of encouragement even from strangers really helps with motivation
Have you also got in touch with your supervisor to see if you have any other options?
I feel writing the whole thing over a weekend should be used only as an absolutely last resort
Reply 9
Took me 4yrs to write 80,000 words. Ain't going to happen.
Reply 10
Original post
by Puddles the MonkeyHave you also got in touch with your supervisor to see if you have any other options?
I feel writing the whole thing over a weekend should be used only as an absolutely last resort
I feel writing the whole thing over a weekend should be used only as an absolutely last resort
Yes I've spoken to them via email, but there's nothing they can really do - I've had previous extensions, but due to a backlog of work (5 essays in Feb, a 10,000 word essay handed in 10 days ago), I haven't been able to start until recently (although admittedly I've had about 10 days where I haven't worked..). I also work two jobs, live away from uni so don't have the resources, and haven't seen a doctor in 5 months (where I really am supposed to see one every few weeks) so I can't provide any supporting evidence for any mitigation.
It really is an absolutely last resort, but I'm aware that it's mostly my fault due to poor prioritising/planning, and deteriorating mental health that I haven't been taking care of :/
Reply 11
Doable? Perhaps. What's the subject?
Don't write from beginning-to-end, firstly set up the structure then dip in and out of paragraphs as you think of things. Add notes. Turn the notes into text.
Use Refworks or something similar for your references. Hopefully you've done the bulk of the research by now? Depending on the subject and what you're searching for it shouldn't take long to gather papers.
I use 'xxx' rather than 'redcabbage' but it's the same principle.
Decide what your working hours will be and stick to them (1700-2100, 2130-0100, 0700-1100, 1200-1700 and repeat?). Don't forget to eat and drink. Stay energised. Sleep. Switch off your phone and make sure there are no other distractions. Once you decide to go for it get off TSR.
Good luck - you've got a big effort ahead of you.
Don't write from beginning-to-end, firstly set up the structure then dip in and out of paragraphs as you think of things. Add notes. Turn the notes into text.
Use Refworks or something similar for your references. Hopefully you've done the bulk of the research by now? Depending on the subject and what you're searching for it shouldn't take long to gather papers.
I use 'xxx' rather than 'redcabbage' but it's the same principle.
Decide what your working hours will be and stick to them (1700-2100, 2130-0100, 0700-1100, 1200-1700 and repeat?). Don't forget to eat and drink. Stay energised. Sleep. Switch off your phone and make sure there are no other distractions. Once you decide to go for it get off TSR.
Good luck - you've got a big effort ahead of you.
Reply 12
My husband wrote a 20,000 Diss in 32 hours on military history whilst looking after our newborn. If he can do it then you can!!
Reply 13
Original post
by Duncan2012Doable? Perhaps. What's the subject?
Don't write from beginning-to-end, firstly set up the structure then dip in and out of paragraphs as you think of things. Add notes. Turn the notes into text.
Use Refworks or something similar for your references. Hopefully you've done the bulk of the research by now? Depending on the subject and what you're searching for it shouldn't take long to gather papers.
I use 'xxx' rather than 'redcabbage' but it's the same principle.
Decide what your working hours will be and stick to them (1700-2100, 2130-0100, 0700-1100, 1200-1700 and repeat?). Don't forget to eat and drink. Stay energised. Sleep. Switch off your phone and make sure there are no other distractions. Once you decide to go for it get off TSR.
Good luck - you've got a big effort ahead of you.
Don't write from beginning-to-end, firstly set up the structure then dip in and out of paragraphs as you think of things. Add notes. Turn the notes into text.
Use Refworks or something similar for your references. Hopefully you've done the bulk of the research by now? Depending on the subject and what you're searching for it shouldn't take long to gather papers.
I use 'xxx' rather than 'redcabbage' but it's the same principle.
Decide what your working hours will be and stick to them (1700-2100, 2130-0100, 0700-1100, 1200-1700 and repeat?). Don't forget to eat and drink. Stay energised. Sleep. Switch off your phone and make sure there are no other distractions. Once you decide to go for it get off TSR.
Good luck - you've got a big effort ahead of you.
Thank you - all I need to know is that it's doable!! I've done a bit of research but nowhere near enough. Only have about 8,000 words of notes (quotes) and still have to go through most of my primary sources. Subject is something around "The Role of the Devil in Early Modern England" but I haven't fleshed out an exact title as I'm not too sure what my argument is. I thought research would help but I've been researching for the past few days now and feel like I'm getting nowhere. Luckily I've spent the past 5 years studying witchcraft so I vaguely know the arguments and prominent historians.
I've just turned off my phone. That will definitely help, as everytime I get a notification, even if I don't check it, I end up getting severely distracted. I guess you're all right, no point questioning it, just need to stick my head down... I'm going to log off TSR now and barricade myself from the outside world until 10am Monday!
Reply 14
Original post
by Mann27My husband wrote a 20,000 Diss in 32 hours on military history whilst looking after our newborn. If he can do it then you can!!
Now THAT's the kinda anecdote I'm looking for!!!!! Thank you!
Reply 15
Original post
by Mann27My husband wrote a 20,000 Diss in 32 hours on military history whilst looking after our newborn. If he can do it then you can!!
That is impressive!!!
Reply 16
@pghistorystudent How did it go in the end? Was everything okay? How are you feeling?
Reply 17
@pghistorystudent so did you finish your dissertation on time? We have 20 days for 18k words 😂 it’s been 4 years so probably you are good now but please share if your grade was okay?
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