What's wrong with me?

LegacyUser

I'm not asking for medical advice before I start this post so please noone give me advice in that way. I'm just finishing my masters which is seriously been the toughest time of my life. I put in so much effort to everything but don't see the results. I'm getting really frustrated now by the impending deadline of my thesis. If I dont hand it in or get it finished all my hard work will have been for nothing. I cant focus. Normally I'm a really happy, hyperactive even person and people mistake this for happy. I suffer from depression but I'm usually able to handle it without taking anti depressants. But I dont know what to do... I can't focus. I've tried everything... lists... targets... studying alone... studying with other people... going to counselling.. everything!!! It's not working and I'm so scared I'm going to let so many people down. I've been a mess all evening.... I wrote 200 words today ... in an entire day!!!

I'll try anything at this stage

ModeSkeletor

I understand where you're coming from, I just finished my thesis a few weeks ago and it was probably the hardest thing (in education) I've ever had to do. I presume you have a supervisor? Talk to him/her asap and explain everything you have said above. You may already have enough done to pass, which would reduce the pressure somewhat.

Edit - just by the way, try not to get too caught up on wordcounts. It's better having 200 words written on a concept you understand than 1000 words of useless info recycled from a book.

AARRRGH

ModeSkeletor wrote: »

I presume you have a supervisor? Talk to him/her asap and explain everything you have said above. You may already have enough done to pass, which would reduce the pressure somewhat.

This is good advice.

Your supervisor does not want you to fail or drop out.

He/she will help you, and will be understanding.

Get him/her to review what you've done so far, and to suggest things you should do this week, next week, etc.

RedXIV

I found that the problem with some of my friends during exam times is that they wok, tried to get work done until they fell asleep and basically burned out after a few weeks

Don't fall into this cycle! You need time to destress or you'll end up flustered and unable to do anything! set aside time to relax and time to work. unless the people you're studying with have a GREAT work ethic, i find working alone is best.

Take it easy lass, It's not the end of the world if you don't get this

ronbyrne2005

Go to supervisor, get an extension or defferal. You are'nt letting anyone down, if these people you fear you are letting down love you they will understand and only wish for your hapiness and not a piece of paper. don't fall into the trap o doing things to please others or getting your self worth mixed up with academic or professional success.

stepbar

I can empatise woth you. I did my masters 2 years ago and to say it nearly killed me is an understatement. Definatly the hardest thing I have done to date. My advice would be to use the facilites that you've got. You have a supervisor, talk to him / her, use their knowledge on the subject (not always the case) and expertise. Good supervisors are there to help. Use the library. For the good part of 3 months I spent 12 hour days sitting and writing my thesis on the laptop, armed with about a dozen books and countless articles. Don't worry about only writing 200 words. There were days when I did the exact same and time when all I did was go for hourly coffee breaks. I stayed up nights and sometimes didn't go to bed until 3-4am. I got through it and so will you.

I think you need to start giving yourself deadlines and try to stick to them as best as you can. The only deadline I met was when I had to hand up the damm thing