Massively behind on UG history thesis
Hi guys. As the title says - I’ve fallen massively behind on my undergraduate thesis and I’m really not sure how to proceed. I study History at Oxford and over my three years here have developed an absolute mastery of leaving things to the last minute. Most of my essays in the last year have been started 12 hours before the deadline (if that), and although they usually get done on time, I fear my luck has now run out.
We get all of Hilary term (8 weeks) to work on the thesis, and there’s an expectation that you do some primary research over summer too. To put it simply - we’re coming to the end of week 3 (out of those 8) and I honestly have barely done any work on the thesis. I can list some reasons here (mental health problems, a family member in hospital, a collection that I’ve been putting off that has been creating a ‘mental block’ from me turning my full attention to the thesis) but I know at the end of the day this is largely a result of me being lazy and procrastinating, and I need to get back on track quickly.
I haven’t seen or spoken to my supervisor since mid-November, so I contacted him a couple days ago about setting up a meeting in the coming week and hopefully he responds soon. I have a topic and a proposal of sorts as well as some sources in mind but I’m finding it hard to narrow things down given that every time I actually do get into some research, I find sooo many interesting things and am not sure how to clearly define a line of argument from them that’s original.
My main struggle, though, is definitely going to be with this tight timeline. If anyone had been in a similar situation and managed to salvage things, I would love to hear your story and what helped you get things back on track. Or in general, just any advice/motivation. I was hoping I could get a first-class mark on the thesis but I will happily take a 2:1 at this stage given I have about five weeks to pull something together. Thank you dearly for any help x
We get all of Hilary term (8 weeks) to work on the thesis, and there’s an expectation that you do some primary research over summer too. To put it simply - we’re coming to the end of week 3 (out of those 8) and I honestly have barely done any work on the thesis. I can list some reasons here (mental health problems, a family member in hospital, a collection that I’ve been putting off that has been creating a ‘mental block’ from me turning my full attention to the thesis) but I know at the end of the day this is largely a result of me being lazy and procrastinating, and I need to get back on track quickly.
I haven’t seen or spoken to my supervisor since mid-November, so I contacted him a couple days ago about setting up a meeting in the coming week and hopefully he responds soon. I have a topic and a proposal of sorts as well as some sources in mind but I’m finding it hard to narrow things down given that every time I actually do get into some research, I find sooo many interesting things and am not sure how to clearly define a line of argument from them that’s original.
My main struggle, though, is definitely going to be with this tight timeline. If anyone had been in a similar situation and managed to salvage things, I would love to hear your story and what helped you get things back on track. Or in general, just any advice/motivation. I was hoping I could get a first-class mark on the thesis but I will happily take a 2:1 at this stage given I have about five weeks to pull something together. Thank you dearly for any help x
Reply 1
Do the best you can in the 4 to 5 weeks available.
Treat your thesis as a full time job with loads of overtime.
Look after yourself health wise. Eat lots fruit, veg, leaves, nuts, herbs, spices, beans, legumes. And get some exercise where you get out of breath. Foods like cherry tomatoes are associated with elevating mood.
https://nutritionfacts.org/topics/mood/
Aim to be efficient and effective with your time.
Don't procrastinate any longer. Just bang something down into your thesis. You can re-write and edit later, if you have time.
It's fine if you're honest with your tutor and tell him what a mess you've gotten into and lean on him for help and support to make the next 5 weeks really count for progress on your thesis. They'll have seen it all before.
Aim to hand in your work on time. Don't look for cop out excuses to hand it in late as that's just kicking the can down the road.
Even if you end up with a third, that's OK. You'll still have a degree from the best university in the world and therefore have the prestige of that.
And then in 5 months time, you'll start a new chapter in your life, where what counts is your choice of field to earn a living from and your qualities in working in that field.
Treat your thesis as a full time job with loads of overtime.
Look after yourself health wise. Eat lots fruit, veg, leaves, nuts, herbs, spices, beans, legumes. And get some exercise where you get out of breath. Foods like cherry tomatoes are associated with elevating mood.
https://nutritionfacts.org/topics/mood/
Aim to be efficient and effective with your time.
Don't procrastinate any longer. Just bang something down into your thesis. You can re-write and edit later, if you have time.
It's fine if you're honest with your tutor and tell him what a mess you've gotten into and lean on him for help and support to make the next 5 weeks really count for progress on your thesis. They'll have seen it all before.
Aim to hand in your work on time. Don't look for cop out excuses to hand it in late as that's just kicking the can down the road.
Even if you end up with a third, that's OK. You'll still have a degree from the best university in the world and therefore have the prestige of that.
And then in 5 months time, you'll start a new chapter in your life, where what counts is your choice of field to earn a living from and your qualities in working in that field.
Reply 2
First, please read this -
https://waitbutwhy.com/2013/10/why-procrastinators-procrastinate.html
Secondly: once you start, you will find the task much easier than you now think. It has become a bugbear which sits on your shoulders. You may laugh at how easy it is to do the work once you start it.
Procrastination may relate to mild depression, which can be countered through exercise, social interaction, and adhering to routines. Get up, make your bed, go for a run, have breakfast, go to the library. Do this today. Write down three topic outlines, and take these to your tutor ASAP. If you like, share the ideas here for constructive suggestions.
Arrange to meet friends this evening. Go and see a play, or a film. Conclave is a great movie for historians: lots of scheming in fancy outfits.
Talk to your main tutor in your college- he or she may be more available than the thesis supervisor. Stop worrying about the Collection - it is not important. Just do it, or persuade your tutor to let you off it, citing the difficulties you refer to above.
This is an undergraduate thesis, not a D Phil, so originality is unlikely and not really expected. What is needed is lively engagement with primary sources, and a line of argument not based on the writings of historians (even if you arrive at the same conclusion as Professor Famous).
Good luck!
https://waitbutwhy.com/2013/10/why-procrastinators-procrastinate.html
Secondly: once you start, you will find the task much easier than you now think. It has become a bugbear which sits on your shoulders. You may laugh at how easy it is to do the work once you start it.
Procrastination may relate to mild depression, which can be countered through exercise, social interaction, and adhering to routines. Get up, make your bed, go for a run, have breakfast, go to the library. Do this today. Write down three topic outlines, and take these to your tutor ASAP. If you like, share the ideas here for constructive suggestions.
Arrange to meet friends this evening. Go and see a play, or a film. Conclave is a great movie for historians: lots of scheming in fancy outfits.
Talk to your main tutor in your college- he or she may be more available than the thesis supervisor. Stop worrying about the Collection - it is not important. Just do it, or persuade your tutor to let you off it, citing the difficulties you refer to above.
This is an undergraduate thesis, not a D Phil, so originality is unlikely and not really expected. What is needed is lively engagement with primary sources, and a line of argument not based on the writings of historians (even if you arrive at the same conclusion as Professor Famous).
Good luck!
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