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Dissertation help

Literally just jumped on here to make sure I don't feel as alone as I do now -
1) My dissertation is due in 29 days exactly from today... and it's 5k words for my nursing course. Im planning to do a para a day but an overthinker like me doesn't see it happening cuz I still haven't planned and stuff so maybe it would be better off submitting my paper half arsed? I've had so many sleepless nights as it is lol
2) can someone please explain to me how am I supposed to write in my main body of critical reviewing pls like example sentences. would greatly help

forgot to note - I am on my 3rd and final year of nursing

Reply 1

University of Bath

Official Rep

Original post by skymorales87

Literally just jumped on here to make sure I don't feel as alone as I do now -
1) My dissertation is due in 29 days exactly from today... and it's 5k words for my nursing course. Im planning to do a para a day but an overthinker like me doesn't see it happening cuz I still haven't planned and stuff so maybe it would be better off submitting my paper half arsed? I've had so many sleepless nights as it is lol
2) can someone please explain to me how am I supposed to write in my main body of critical reviewing pls like example sentences. would greatly help
forgot to note - I am on my 3rd and final year of nursing

Hi there,

Not able to help on the content I'm afraid but I can try and share some general tips on how to make the dissertation journey easier:

•

You are right to set yourself small goals. A para a day sounds like a good goal - you can always edit them later when you have finished. Plan out the sections you will do in a diary or an online calendar and tick them off when you've done, and don't forget to reward yourself for achieving these small goals

•

Talk to your personal tutor/supervisor - ask them for advice if you are stuck on something or you need general advice about keeping up, that's what they're there for. They may also be able to give you some advice on how to word/structure things and give you tips on the kinds of content you're planning to put in if you show them.

•

Think it through logically. Think of your dissertation not as a whole huge elephant but a project made up of distinct smaller sections. What I used to do was to draw an elephant in the back of my diary, split it into sections, give each section a label such as 'intro,' 'lit review 1/2/3,' 'setting the scene to the study,' and 'results', then colour them in when I had drafted them. It was a good way for me to tackle it bit by bit without getting overwhelmed.

Just remember that you're not alone in this at all. I felt the same way when I did my dissertation for psychology and there will be many more students in your year with the exact same feelings. Just keep going because can 100% do this, its just a case of taking it bit by bit.

I hope some of this helps a bit, best of luck and please shout if you have any more questions.

Holly
University of Bath

Reply 2

University of Salford Student Rep

Official Rep

Original post by skymorales87

Literally just jumped on here to make sure I don't feel as alone as I do now -
1) My dissertation is due in 29 days exactly from today... and it's 5k words for my nursing course. Im planning to do a para a day but an overthinker like me doesn't see it happening cuz I still haven't planned and stuff so maybe it would be better off submitting my paper half arsed? I've had so many sleepless nights as it is lol
2) can someone please explain to me how am I supposed to write in my main body of critical reviewing pls like example sentences. would greatly help
forgot to note - I am on my 3rd and final year of nursing

Hey,

It’s completely normal to feel overwhelmed when a big deadline like your dissertation is approaching, especially in your final year! You’re definitely not alone in feeling this way, but with a bit of structure, you can get through it. Here’s a couple of things that really help me:

Break It Down: Planning to write a paragraph a day is a great idea but start by creating a detailed outline for your dissertation. Break it into manageable sections (e.g., introduction, literature review, methodology, findings, discussion, conclusion) and assign a few days to each. Having a roadmap can make the task feel less daunting.

Set Realistic Goals: Writing a paragraph a day might feel slow, but the key is consistency. Even if some days are more productive than others, small progress adds up quickly. Try using the ‘Pomodoro technique’, it’s great for focusing attention on a single task.

Don’t Overthink, Just Start: The first draft doesn’t have to be perfect; it just needs to exist. Once you have something down, you can edit and refine it later. Focus on progress, not perfection.

Seek Support: Reach out to your dissertation supervisor or personal tutor if you’re feeling stuck. They can provide guidance and reassurance. If your university has a study skills or writing centre, they might also offer workshops or one-on-one support for academic writing.

Remember to take care of yourself during this stressful period. Sleep, eat well, and give yourself moments to unwind, it’ll help you stay sharp and productive. You’ve come this far in your nursing degree, and you’re capable of finishing strong. You’ve got this! 😊

Best of luck!
Arslan – University of Salford Student Representative

Reply 3

Morris Peterson

My friend, have you managed to write something?

Reply 4

UCLan Student

Official Rep

Original post by skymorales87

Literally just jumped on here to make sure I don't feel as alone as I do now -
1) My dissertation is due in 29 days exactly from today... and it's 5k words for my nursing course. Im planning to do a para a day but an overthinker like me doesn't see it happening cuz I still haven't planned and stuff so maybe it would be better off submitting my paper half arsed? I've had so many sleepless nights as it is lol
2) can someone please explain to me how am I supposed to write in my main body of critical reviewing pls like example sentences. would greatly help
forgot to note - I am on my 3rd and final year of nursing

Hi there,

Nice to meet you, my name is Siobhan and I'm a third year physio student at University of Lancashire. To be completely honest with you, I am in the same boat as my dissertation is also due in 4 weeks and it is starting to feel overwhelming! Here are some tips of things that I am doing right now that I found helpful to manage my dissertation:

•

Start with the easiest part of the assignment, even if it feels like you're not doing much, it will add up and you can slowly chip away at your assignment! This could be making a gathering some research papers or even making a checklist of things you need to do, this might help you visually see your progress. I always say its pennies in the bank, small progress is still progress!

•

Do the assignment in a setting you work best in. I personally like to do my assignments in the library or student centre/union so that I can separate my work life from my personal life. This has helped me so much to relax when I'm at home and to leave that stress/worries elsewhere. Make sure that you have some leisure time to avoid burnout.

•

Get in contact with your supervisor/academic tutor/librarian. Have an honest conversation with one any of the people listed and see what advice they can offer. They are there to help and support you. You are not alone in this so make sure to reach out if you're struggling.

Hope this helps and please let me know if you have any more questions.

Siobhan (student ambassador for university of Lancashire)

Reply 5

De Montfort University

Official Rep

Original post by skymorales87

Literally just jumped on here to make sure I don't feel as alone as I do now -
1) My dissertation is due in 29 days exactly from today... and it's 5k words for my nursing course. Im planning to do a para a day but an overthinker like me doesn't see it happening cuz I still haven't planned and stuff so maybe it would be better off submitting my paper half arsed? I've had so many sleepless nights as it is lol
2) can someone please explain to me how am I supposed to write in my main body of critical reviewing pls like example sentences. would greatly help
forgot to note - I am on my 3rd and final year of nursing

Hey there 😁

I'm really sorry to hear that you're struggling. I totally get it. Writing a dissertation can feel overwhelming. I'm in the same boat right now, and I know how hard it is to shake off the anxiety. But trust me, you’ve got this! 💪 You’re more than capable of completing it and doing a great job!

Most importantly - don’t give up! You still have time. Whenever I feel stuck, I break things down into a plan 📅 I divide my word count by the number of days left and focus on small, manageable chunks. This makes it feel way less intimidating and helps me stay on track. Having a plan really makes a difference!

For structuring your critical review, definitely check your module guidelines 📖 Each module may have different expectations, so following them closely is key to ensuring you don’t lose marks. The main goal of a critical review is to evaluate a piece of work thoroughly, discussing both its strengths and weaknesses in depth.

And if you're feeling unsure about the structure, reach out for help! 💡 Your lecturers, module leader, or personal tutor are there to support you, and there’s absolutely nothing wrong with asking questions. This is your dissertation. You’re not expected to know everything!

You’ve got this! Keep going, and take it one step at a time ✨

I hope it will be helpful 💪 Feel free to reach out if you have any questions 😉 You can also chat with me or other students directly through The Ambassador Platform.

Take care,

Julia
Psychology student
De Montfort University

Reply 6

hallamstudents

Official Rep

Original post by skymorales87

Literally just jumped on here to make sure I don't feel as alone as I do now -
1) My dissertation is due in 29 days exactly from today... and it's 5k words for my nursing course. Im planning to do a para a day but an overthinker like me doesn't see it happening cuz I still haven't planned and stuff so maybe it would be better off submitting my paper half arsed? I've had so many sleepless nights as it is lol
2) can someone please explain to me how am I supposed to write in my main body of critical reviewing pls like example sentences. would greatly help
forgot to note - I am on my 3rd and final year of nursing

Hi @skymorales87 ,

I can see this post was from 2 weeks ago so I am assuming you have around 2 weeks left? If so, try and keep persevering as you are nearly there!

For the last few weeks, try and make sure you are setting yourself a goal each day and then sticking to this. I know it can be hard but this might help to keep you motivated for the last little bit!

If you need any help and you can ask for help, try and do this as soon as possible as the closer it gets to the deadline you may not have chance to ask for any help!

Try and make sure you have something planned for when you hand it in! It's a big thing and you should be proud of yourself so well done for getting this far and make sure you do something fun when you finish!

I hope some of this helps,

Lucy -SHU student ambassador.