So it’s dissertation time. Whether you fall into the ‘I’m so stressed I can’t even think about it’, the ‘bring it on’ camp or somewhere in between – we’ve got you covered. Here’s some tips and reminders to help you feel more in control of your final year dissertation project and where you can find help if you need it.
Save your work
Technology is pretty nifty these days, but we’ve heard enough horror stories for a lifetime. Remember to save and back up your work as often as you can. Losing work and starting again is stress you really don’t need…
Start early and start well
Plan, plan and plan some more!
Think about what modules you enjoyed or what topics interest you. Remember, it will be a long road with this one theme, so make sure you’re really into it and won’t get bored of it.
Start your research waaaay ahead of time. Try to read widely around your subject and chat it through with friends, family or your dissertation supervisor. It will be handy to bounce ideas off of people at this early stage.
Look at a calendar and plan out what you want your progress to look like at different times of the year. You don’t want to be cramming towards the end, so leave enough time for edits and proof reading.
Figure out what you want to say
This is a significant amount of work, so what are you hoping to achieve/prove/explore/debate? A good, structured plan of what you want to say will help you stay on track and avoid rambling or disappearing down rabbit holes. Having a solid proposal will also give you something to come back to if you get stuck.
See where the work takes you
Don’t worry if your dissertation isn’t turning out how you expected it, or if you research data is saying something unexpected. This is great to use in your writing and shows the journey you’ve been on with this piece of work.
Use UWE!
It is really important to attend your dissertation supervisor sessions. Your supervisor will offer you all kinds of support from helping you plan, picking your topic, helping with research and generally being a sounding board. Also, this is your supervisor’s 9-5! They are SUPER interested in what you’re finding out and want to help you explore. Book in some regular catch ups for some double brain power.
Here to help
Remember you have a lot of resources here to help you on your way. As well as your dissertation supervisor, you also have student support services, library support, student success coaches and study skills, which run workshops from critical thinking to improving your writing, as well as our wellbeing team. You can also get your printing and binding done on campus.
Take care of yourself
This is a large piece of work which will take up a lot of your energy, so remember to be gentle with yourself. Take regular breaks, get outside for some fresh air and fuel yourself correctly. Try to lean into your friends and family for some help with proof reading; you’ll be glad for some time away from it and fresh eyes could spot something you’ve missed.
Dissertations are often seen as this big, scary accumulation of your time at university, which sounds terrifying, but it doesn’t have to be. Make use of the resources available to you and take it steady. We believe in you.