Dissertation stress

It’s now week 6 weeks and I still don’t know what I’m doing with my dissertation. I’ve been given no help from my supervisor, the only thing she has done is given me the question, that’s it and I’m not exaggerating. Meeting with her have been pointless. I’m struggling with the structure, I have to look at YouTube videos for help. I have to present in 6 weeks and I don’t even understand the topic. I went to the head and she just told me to book a meeting and talk to my supervisor when she is back. I’m awake till 3 every night, I’m scared becuse she is also a harsh marker and I cannot sleep at night. Also if I don’t do good then I cannot even appeal because they will just think I didn’t put enough effort in when I am really trying. What can I do?

What happens during your meetings with her? What do you talk about? How often do you meet?

You need to be proactive. Go to your study skills department and discuss what a dissertation should include and how it should be structured. Talk through with your supervisor and any other relevant lecturers about the topic, and what exactly is expected of you. Break down the question and do literature searches based on the key words or areas in it. Make sure you know what you have to present and be clear what you're going to say.

Thanks, but our meetings are literally 10 mins, I planned out the intro like she told me to and when I told her she was basically like ok, cut a bit out. I ask her a few questions if different articles say different things about like a protien for example and she tells me which is right. We meet every week, last week she wasn’t in, but it’s pointless. She didn’t even explain the results to me properly. I booked a meeting with the study skills people next week, but still I’m really lost. And the topic is literally on her research, so she does know all about it, so it’s not like she can’t help.

The thing is, once you get the point of doing your dissertation, your supervisor is going to treat you like an independent learner. They aren't going to spoon feed you through the process. If you don't understand something, read around it until you do. I know it might seem frustrating, but you also need to ask the right questions of your supervisor too. Don't just go into the meetings saying "I don't know what to do/what should I do?", you need to be specific about what you need help with. You also must have been given a rubric/structure guide at some point, so make sure you're following that closely.

Thank you, but I’m not expecting spoon feeding just help. I was not given any structure or guide at all, just how many words to put in the introduction, results, discussion...in the fyp lecture on the first day back.