HELP! Dissertation and Essay Deadlines Approaching...Overwhelmed!
Hey everyone,
I'm in a bit of a crisis and could really use some advice. Here's my current situation:
Dissertation Progress:
Completed:
- Introduction
- Literature Review
- Methodology
Pending:
- Findings
- Conclusion
Deadline: April 10th
All my interviews are transcribed, so the data is ready for analysis. I'll probably have to format it and fix other chapters once I'm done
Additional Concern: I have a 2,000-word essay due on March 28th, and it typically takes me about a week to complete such an assignment.
I'm freaking out about managing both these deadlines effectively. Has anyone been in a similar situation? How did you balance multiple major assignments due around the same time? Any tips on time management, prioritisation, or just words of encouragement would be massively appreciated right now :,) I've set a screen time on my phone and took away distractions
I'm in a bit of a crisis and could really use some advice. Here's my current situation:
Dissertation Progress:
Completed:
- Introduction
- Literature Review
- Methodology
Pending:
- Findings
- Conclusion
Deadline: April 10th
All my interviews are transcribed, so the data is ready for analysis. I'll probably have to format it and fix other chapters once I'm done
Additional Concern: I have a 2,000-word essay due on March 28th, and it typically takes me about a week to complete such an assignment.
I'm freaking out about managing both these deadlines effectively. Has anyone been in a similar situation? How did you balance multiple major assignments due around the same time? Any tips on time management, prioritisation, or just words of encouragement would be massively appreciated right now :,) I've set a screen time on my phone and took away distractions
Original post
by Charlie_19Hey everyone,
I'm in a bit of a crisis and could really use some advice. Here's my current situation:
Dissertation Progress:
Completed:
- Introduction
- Literature Review
- Methodology
Pending:
- Findings
- Conclusion
Deadline: April 10th
All my interviews are transcribed, so the data is ready for analysis. I'll probably have to format it and fix other chapters once I'm done
Additional Concern: I have a 2,000-word essay due on March 28th, and it typically takes me about a week to complete such an assignment.
I'm freaking out about managing both these deadlines effectively. Has anyone been in a similar situation? How did you balance multiple major assignments due around the same time? Any tips on time management, prioritisation, or just words of encouragement would be massively appreciated right now :,) I've set a screen time on my phone and took away distractions
I'm in a bit of a crisis and could really use some advice. Here's my current situation:
Dissertation Progress:
Completed:
- Introduction
- Literature Review
- Methodology
Pending:
- Findings
- Conclusion
Deadline: April 10th
All my interviews are transcribed, so the data is ready for analysis. I'll probably have to format it and fix other chapters once I'm done
Additional Concern: I have a 2,000-word essay due on March 28th, and it typically takes me about a week to complete such an assignment.
I'm freaking out about managing both these deadlines effectively. Has anyone been in a similar situation? How did you balance multiple major assignments due around the same time? Any tips on time management, prioritisation, or just words of encouragement would be massively appreciated right now :,) I've set a screen time on my phone and took away distractions
Spend a day NOW putting together a skeleton of the 2,000 word essay so that you've got something that's hand-in able even if it's in no way finished or polished. Use the learning outcomes for the essay as a guide and try to make sure you've got them ticked off so that your 1 day of work is enough to get you a passing grade.
Then focus your time on getting your data analysed and starting your findings section as bullet points.
If you get that sorted before the 28th then switch back to the 2,000 word essay and get it filled out as much as you can before hand in.
Then once that's handed in you just need to do conclusion and a final edit on your dissertation.
Your dissertation is going to have much more weighting than the essay so prioritising getting that finished and polished is key. Your only aim for the essay should be to have something to hand in that gets a passing mark....and if you're on track with your dissertation then you can divert more than a day towards getting more than a passing mark.
Reply 2
Hi there!
I remember this feeling well, I had essays due alongside my dissertation as well. One of my main bits of advice would be to breathe and step back, easier said than done I know. The more you get overwhelmed the harder its going to be for you to complete.
I would recommend making a detailed plan of the essay , so if you come and go from it you know exactly what you are trying to say and put across. I would perhaps suggest dedicating some free mornings to the essay and any free afternoons for the dissertation. Perhaps spend this next week prioritisng the essay due. So then you have all the time to focus on your dissertation afterwards.
Some of my best advice is to take plenty of breaks and try not to work too late into the evening if at all if you can help it. You need to make sure you leave some time for yourself to do things you enjoy rather than just work. I recommend perhaps talking to any of your tutors too if you feel like you're struggling as they may be able to advise with deadlines etc.
The most important thing to remember though is that it wont just be you feeling like this.
I hope this helps. But keeping going, you seem to be working really hard and it will all be over before you know it.
Thanks,
Daisy- Graduate Advocate
I remember this feeling well, I had essays due alongside my dissertation as well. One of my main bits of advice would be to breathe and step back, easier said than done I know. The more you get overwhelmed the harder its going to be for you to complete.
I would recommend making a detailed plan of the essay , so if you come and go from it you know exactly what you are trying to say and put across. I would perhaps suggest dedicating some free mornings to the essay and any free afternoons for the dissertation. Perhaps spend this next week prioritisng the essay due. So then you have all the time to focus on your dissertation afterwards.
Some of my best advice is to take plenty of breaks and try not to work too late into the evening if at all if you can help it. You need to make sure you leave some time for yourself to do things you enjoy rather than just work. I recommend perhaps talking to any of your tutors too if you feel like you're struggling as they may be able to advise with deadlines etc.
The most important thing to remember though is that it wont just be you feeling like this.
I hope this helps. But keeping going, you seem to be working really hard and it will all be over before you know it.
Thanks,
Daisy- Graduate Advocate
Original post
by Charlie_19Hey everyone,
I'm in a bit of a crisis and could really use some advice. Here's my current situation:
Dissertation Progress:
Completed:
- Introduction
- Literature Review
- Methodology
Pending:
- Findings
- Conclusion
Deadline: April 10th
All my interviews are transcribed, so the data is ready for analysis. I'll probably have to format it and fix other chapters once I'm done
Additional Concern: I have a 2,000-word essay due on March 28th, and it typically takes me about a week to complete such an assignment.
I'm freaking out about managing both these deadlines effectively. Has anyone been in a similar situation? How did you balance multiple major assignments due around the same time? Any tips on time management, prioritisation, or just words of encouragement would be massively appreciated right now :,) I've set a screen time on my phone and took away distractions
I'm in a bit of a crisis and could really use some advice. Here's my current situation:
Dissertation Progress:
Completed:
- Introduction
- Literature Review
- Methodology
Pending:
- Findings
- Conclusion
Deadline: April 10th
All my interviews are transcribed, so the data is ready for analysis. I'll probably have to format it and fix other chapters once I'm done
Additional Concern: I have a 2,000-word essay due on March 28th, and it typically takes me about a week to complete such an assignment.
I'm freaking out about managing both these deadlines effectively. Has anyone been in a similar situation? How did you balance multiple major assignments due around the same time? Any tips on time management, prioritisation, or just words of encouragement would be massively appreciated right now :,) I've set a screen time on my phone and took away distractions
Hey,
That sounds like a really overwhelming situation, but you’ve already made great progress on your dissertation, and the fact that your interviews are transcribed puts you in a solid position. It’s definitely manageable with the right approach!
Since your essay is due first and usually takes you about a week, it might help to set aside 4-5 focused days to complete a solid draft, leaving some time for edits. That way, you can shift back to your dissertation without last-minute panic.
For your dissertation, breaking it down into smaller, achievable tasks could help:
Findings: Allocate dedicated days to analysing your data and structuring the results.
Conclusion: This might be easier once your findings are written, as you’ll be summarising and discussing implications.
Editing & Formatting: Plan buffer time after writing to refine and fix earlier chapters.
Things that work for me are
Time-blocking: Allocate specific hours to each task (e.g., 3 hours on dissertation in the morning, 2 hours on the essay in the afternoon).
Small daily goals: Instead of thinking about the full dissertation, focus on completing one section at a time.
Use Study techniques: Short bursts of deep work (25-45 mins) with breaks can boost productivity.
Stay flexible: If you feel stuck on one task, switch to another rather than wasting time.
You’ve already taken a great step by limiting distractions! If you need extra support, check if your university offers academic writing workshops or dissertation support services. They might help with structure or feedback. You’re definitely not alone in this, and you can do it! Take it one step at a time, and before you know it, you’ll have both assignments done. You’ve got this! 💪📚
Best of luck!
Arslan – University of Salford Student Representative
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