Advertisement
If you have a new account but are having problems posting or verifying your account, please email us on hello@boards.ie for help. Thanks :)
Hello all! Please ensure that you are posting a new thread or question in the appropriate forum. The Feedback forum is overwhelmed with questions that are having to be moved elsewhere. If you need help to verify your account contact hello@boards.ie
Hi there,
There is an issue with role permissions that is being worked on at the moment.
If you are having trouble with access or permissions on regional forums please post here to get access: https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058365403/you-do-not-have-permission-for-that#latest

Dropping out of a research masters

  • 05-02-2014 3:58pm
    #1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2


    Hi,

    I am currently in my second year of a two year research masters. The problem is, I hate it! I don't have half the amount work done as I should and cannot find the motivation anywhere to make me do it. I am seriously considering dropping out but the main thing holding me back is money! I have already paid €8000 to be here (€4000 of which my parents paid for me).
    I know everyone will say I should stick it out as I only have about 6 months left before submission date but the problem is I don't have enough work done to be even finished by submission date! I am still working on my Lit review and have all my interviews to conduct (all of which was meant to be completed before Christmas)
    If I was sure I could even get half of my money back that I have paid I would happily leave in the morning, the only thing holding me back is the fact that I would have wasted all that money, especially the €4000 which my parents paid.
    If anyone has any advice or knows anyway that is possible for me to drop out but get back some of my money I would greatly appreciate it,
    Thanks a million


Comments

  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 439 ✭✭invara


    I work in WIT and supervise research masters amongst other things, so I can understand your plight. The money whilst important, pales into significance compared to your health and well-being, as well as the time and status you have invested in the project. So I have a few bits of advice, that I hope might be helpful.

    1. Is this a wobble on the road to your ultimate success. Could you blitz through those interviews in short order. A year and half in the library doing a literature review often saps us of our get-up-and-go. Literature can be endless and interview data usually puts it into perspective... you do not need to know everything before doing interviews; they are often much better if you approach them with limited insight into the topic. It should take about a week to do the 10-15 interviews that is commonly the dataset for a masters (over the phone and skype can be easier/quicker again). If next week you had your data in the bag, think how much better you would feel. Research masters often involve a lot of muddling through until they suddenly come together in the final few months. If this sounds like what is happening, do not let this thing beat you; change your work practices (obvious stuff, like a to-do-list for each day, eat and sleep well, take exercise, cut down on coffee and coffee breaks.....) and get those interviews done.

    2. Is this something more significant for you, perhaps you consider sharing your problems. In the first instance you should talk it over with your supervisor, he/she has also invested time and effort into this project and if they know how you are feeling they can help. If you are uncomfortable raising this with your supervisor, talk to an academic you respect or to your supervisors head of department (if the relationship with your supervisor is not going well). WIT offers a retention service and a really good confidential counselling service, and they can help with your motivation issues regardless of whether you continue your studies.

    3. With regards to your specific concern about fees- ask at the registration desk, they are very helpful. My guess is that fees are not recoverable, but I might be wrong.


    Best of luck.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2 research student


    Thanks for your advice. I know realistically I won't get my money back and normally I wouldn't even consider quitting. I think that is what is getting to me most about this- I was always on top of everything for my undergrad, my work was in on time and I always received good marks in anything I submitted. I guess I'm just frustrated with my own work ethic as I keep missing deadlines which is completely out of character for me!
    My relationship with my supervisor is brilliant. She provides so much support to me and we get on really well-another reason I feel awful as I feel I am letting her down as well as myself.
    Perhaps the counselling service might be my best option to get my own mind clear and see where I want to go from here.
    Thanks again for your help


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 439 ✭✭invara


    The WIT service is really good so if you think you should contact them, you definitely should do it. It goes without saying that it is totally confidential, and used by a large amount of students in similar situations. The freeform quality of a research masters can really mess with someone, indeed that might be part of the point of them.

    I also think you should say something to your supervisor, if she is as supportive as you say, I think this is a really important place for her to support you. You do not have to disclose that you are talking to the counsellor, but at the very least you should say that you are worried about the slippage and need her help to pull out of the slump. Small, very doable, focused goals with quick feedback can put a project back on track quickly.


  • Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 1,288 ✭✭✭sawdoubters


    stick it out,put more work in


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,648 ✭✭✭bp_me


    The "late" fee used to be pretty reasonable... it might not be that expensive to "buy" yourself another 6-12 months which should give you the time to get the work done.


  • Advertisement
Advertisement