Pregnant and writing dissertation

[Jojojojo76]

Hi

Just wondered if there is anyone else out there pregnant and writing their dissertation?

My MA dissertation is due in in September, and baby due early October.

Am finding it really hard to get motivated at the moment (today I have written a grand total of about 25 words!), and thought that if there is anyone else out there in the same situation it might be good to link up with them so we can offer each other support, motivation etc.

Really need to crack on with it just incase baby comes early but right now seems to be last thing on my mind!!

Thanks

Jo

 

[Bumblebeee]

I am not writing a dissertation, I finished my degree in 2009 thankfully, but I can totally relate as I went back to College last september to do a cache level 3 in supporting teaching and I had an essay due in this week that I just KNOW i'm gonna have to re-do. I can't get motivated, and when I was writing it, I kept getting mind blanks. I honestly couldn't think of anything to write when I knew all about the topic, it was so frustrating! My manageress called me in to the office for 'a chat' too, basically she said that she thought I wasn't putting as much effort in to my job and that my mind was elsewhere... Well, DUH! I'm having a baby, of course my mind is elsewhere! And of course I can't put much effort in to the job because I can't bring in heavy deliveries! Plus, she cut all my overtime so stuff the job! It's not worth having for lousy pay every month, plus I'll be leaving for maternity and NEVER going back!!! Sorry for the mini rant, but yea it is so tough!

 

[C_baby]

I'm not doing a dissertation i finished uni a good while ago but I didn't want to read and run, just wanted to say Good Luck!!

(p.s the no motivation thing is usual with dissertations pregnancyis probably just making it worse! It's amazing the things you'll do/stuff you clean in procrastination when try to do degree work!)

 

[Remlap]

Im doing a doctorate and sept is due date for methodology, proposal and lit review. I've done absolute jack and need to get my arse in to gear, but im also have a demanding full time job, a work exam I have to do in July and I'm absolutely shattered from just being pregnant...

So, no, I'm not doing a full dissertation at the moment but I am in the same boat and jst as naughty as you for not having more of it done

 

[Etee]

I'm 18 weeks and I'm doing my MSc exams next week (3 of them in a week!! )
And then dissertation is due end of August... And I have a full time job.
So I'm going into extremes from panicking to "i reaaaaly don't care"

But you'll be fine! Plenty of time left!

 

[A_Z]

How long does your dissertation have to be?

I'm currently working on my thesis proposal for a PhD. Should be making a slide show right now, but am procrastinating terribly.

 

[Etee]

Hey A_Z... off the topic.. Nov 14 is my due date as well

How long does your dissertation have to be?

I'm currently working on my thesis proposal for a PhD. Should be making a slide show right now, but am procrastinating terribly.

 

[mummy1985]

I finished mine in April, it was really hard with LO and being early stages of pregnancy, but it was such a relief to finish. I really struggled for motivation, the only thing that kept me going was that I knew I wouldn't ever finish my degree if I had to try and write it next year with 2 LO's!

 

[Jojojojo76]

Thanks for your replies ladies. I have to write between 16-18,000 words. Nice to know that I'm not the only one going through this. Am going to look at next week as a fresh start and try and knuckle down and make some progress. Am also considering a reward system for myself once I've completed each section!! Time to get focused and off my arse and make some progress. Haha.

 

[Tallulah28]

Hiya,

Not doing a dissertation, finished that in 2005.... I have just sat an exam fora human biology exam which ive been studying with the OU. I found it really hard because in my last module I had the most awful sickness in the evening which wiped me out for about 6wks. Ended up getting really behind on the course and struggled to revise properly (if at all) for the exam.

Just wanted to offer some support - set yourself up with a plan, perhaps to have a 1,000 words every week or so- some you'll do less, some you'll do more. A reward system is a really great idea

I remember when I did my dissertation I wish id not rushed it at the end as I ran out of time to do everything. By making yourself a time table you'll have something to work to. You have to be so disciplined but it will be worth it..... Do you really want to be doing your dissertation when your heavily pregnant? Try & get as much as done as you possibly cab.....even in a rough draft then you can tinker as your deadline gets closer. Oh- reference as you go along...... This will save you a HUGE headache at the end!!

What is your dissertation on btw? xx

 

[Jojojojo76]

Thanks Tallulah. That is really great advice. I think a manageable target of something like 1,000 words a week would really help. I'm doing an MA in publishing so I'm researching why students choose to use illegally downloaded versions of textbooks and the steps publishers are taking to try and stop this.

 

[hapi2bhealthy]

YAAAY I'm not the only person trying to get through Uni crap while preggo and having NO motivation! In fact I should be studying for my final exam right now...

I'm not writing a dissertation but I'm studying my Masters full time and working part time and it's killing me...I've had enough! Won't finish before baby comes but will have 2 subjects left to finish over next year, so hopefully manageable.

WE CAN DO THIS GIRLS, LETS SHOW OUR BABIES THAT YOU CAN GET DONE WHATEVER YOU PUT YOUR MIND TO!

 

[Jojojojo76]

Good luck with studying for your final exam hapi2bhealthy. Luckily I've only had one 2 hour exam on my course and that was in May. My dissertation is the final hurdle before completing my course. Am lucky not to be working apart from a few bits of temporary work and I had to do a six week placement April/May.

You are right though - we can do this!!!

 

[aliss]

Congrats you are braver than me, I've put off my MA for another 2 years minimum I just couldn't do it with my 1st

 

[aliss]

Your dissertation sounds quite interesting actually, my MA will be for education (teaching English as a second language, specifically) and downloading illegal materials (mostly full plagiarism but also illegal downloads) is a huge issue in that sector too since direct plagiarism is considered normal and a 'compliment' to the original author in some places...

 

[nickibrum]

Hey Im not doing a dissertation but I did just have to hand in my 10000word, 42 page assignment 2 weeks ago. I was in my first tri at the time and always very tired and low concentration.

Little and often is the best advice I could give to you hun. Even if you cant put pen to paper, I would plan in note form what i wanted to write in the next part and look up references. If you use evernote you can keep track on website references really easily.

 

[ClaireRSA]

I feel your pain; the first draft of my PhD thesis is due Monday. I am hoping to submit for examination in September so that I can present my oral defense in November. Baby due December! So much work, so little time! *sob* and no energy for any of it!

 

[Jojojojo76]

Am totally in awe of anyone doing a PhD after my Masters experience. Now that is a lot of hard work!! Good luck with your submission for Monday ClaireRSA.

Well done on getting your assignment in NickiBrum. Totally emphasise with you as I had 3 shorter assignments to write during my first trimester and had to alternate between feeling like I needed to vomit, writing a bit of an essay and sleeping. Surprised myself and actually got really good grades so must have been doing something right!!

Your MA sounds interesting Aliss. Yeah, the whole illegal download thing is big in publishing at the moment as more and more books are switching from print to electronic.

Ah... You ladies are all so lovely. Am setting myself a target of 500 words a day Mon-Fri which means I should have finished in 2 months time at the latest.

 

[Ersurgeongirl]

I just finished my thesis paper, a whole 35 pages, which I'm sure is nothing compared to yours.... But basically I wrote 3 pages, called off two days off work, drank a total of 3 large iced lattes and sat in a library and typed 32 pages in 2 days. Dont reccommend it, but it's done!

 

[Wandering]

Im taking a year out so my dissertation isnt technically due for another year but i thought id try and do it, or at least start it now whilst i have spare time on my hands before the baby comes. Im really struggling though, im just not motivated at all!