Finishing a masters and doing a thesis - will I do it

Stheno

Looking for motivation here

And hoping for some positive responses.

Doing a part time Masters the past few years, to tick the box on the cv that I have a degree,

Have a PG Diploma already and struggling to get over the line and do the work to convert it into a thesis, so wondering if any one here has feedback on what you do when your brain just stalls?

Pherekydes

When you're stuck, just take a break. Then get back into it full on.





Not that I have a master's or anything...

Fleawuss

Google is the answer.
There are too many questions.

The Backwards Man

Everybody should stop learning once they hit 21. Whatever you know by then will have to do you, leave the rest for the next generation.

That's what I did and it didn't do me any harm

Stop learning and be like me.

Pherekydes

The Backwards Man wrote: »

Everybody should stop learning once they hit 21.

:eek:

I wasn't even fully qualified at 21. And I didn't go to college until I was 43.

You're never too old, blah de fcuking blah...

The Backwards Man

Pherekydes wrote: »

:eek:

I wasn't even fully qualified at 21. And I didn't go to college until I was 43.

You're never too old, blah de fcuking blah...

Yep you're an old fogey taking up the space some young wan with a far more receptive brain should be filling.

Nothing irks me more than old people who don't know their place.

Canterelle

Stheno wrote: »

Looking for motivation here

And hoping for some positive responses.

Doing a part time Masters the past few years, to tick the box on the cv that I have a degree,

Have a PG Diploma already and struggling to get over the line and do the work to convert it into a thesis, so wondering if any one here has feedback on what you do when your brain just stalls?

Enlist some help, anyone who knows your area. You'd be surprised, even a different take on a project can get you going again.

L.Riley

Canterelle wrote: »

Enlist some help, anyone who knows your area. You'd be surprised, even a different take on a project can get you going again.

I second this. A friend of mine currently working on her thesis felt like she wasn't making any progress at all. She met and talked with a guy who wrote a book on a subject matter related to her thesis. After that one conversation she was able to move past her block.

You can do it. Break a leg!

Samaris

Stheno wrote: »

Looking for motivation here

And hoping for some positive responses.

Doing a part time Masters the past few years, to tick the box on the cv that I have a degree,

Have a PG Diploma already and struggling to get over the line and do the work to convert it into a thesis, so wondering if any one here has feedback on what you do when your brain just stalls?

It depends how exactly you're doing it and where you're stuck! I did a MSc myself, and (mostly due to medical issues), struggled with it. Being awake effectively two hours a day was a bit of a block on the whole thing! Still! Firstly, it depends if you have an adviser? If you do, you need to talk to him or her and get their ideas as to how you should progress and, importantly, if there's enough data in your original work (or around it) to make into a much more detailed investigation.

As I said, I don't know where exactly you are in it, but first thing is probably to break down again what you researched, what your questions were and where your answers were - and, importantly, where the points were that you figured merited further investigation. What questions were opened up by your work? Maybe once you have that list, you can start making points in each section to work on and expand, just whichever point catches your attention and interest first. If you're still stuck at that point, you probably need to talk to your adviser if you have one.

Jude13

Just start typing. A few blank word docs, a few different topic. Lash out 2-4k from your head with not referring to anything.

Whichever doc was easiest/most interesting/most words just go with it.

I had 6 weeks left of my masters in the final year before I got the finger out. Dont do that. I worked from 7-6 and then did the masters from 7-11 each night. I was wrecked.

fizzypish

Whats area is the thesis in?

Stheno wrote: »

Doing a part time Masters the past few years, to tick the box on the cv that I have a degree,

I don't know what you mean by this. You already have an honors degree or you couldn't do the masters? Personally any course that forces you into a masters should be avoided. If you have to do a masters to get work then that area is over saturated with people. For me, when I get stuck I usually just start in some way. Put something on paper write something down. The whole "a rolling stone gathers no moss" idea. You can worry about making the content better after you write it but if you never start it'll be all the harder.

sebcity

I'm doing my masters part time. Every day I ask myself why I did it. "It'll be worth it when it's done" , "It will stand to you" is what I hear a lot. That doesn't help when I've been miserable for 14 months with another 7 to go!

I haven't started the thesis yet, it will be after Christmas before that gets going. When you find out how to motivate yourself will you please let me know? Thanks!

the groutch

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZXsQAXx_ao0

intheclouds

Just finished a Masters thesis actually.

I wrote out headings, then I wrote bits under the headings, then I broke that stuff out into sub headings etc... Helped me keep the word count where I wanted too.

So say i started with:
Intro
Background
Problem under investigation
Current theories
Arguments for and against current theories
My own theory
How it can be argued for and against
Conclusion

Then I wrote (small) bits under the above - then made more headings - and slowly it came together.

bpmurray

intheclouds wrote: »

Just finished a Masters thesis actually.

I wrote out headings, then I wrote bits under the headings, then I broke that stuff out into sub headings etc... Helped me keep the word count where I wanted too.

So say i started with:
Intro
Background
Problem under investigation
Current theories
Arguments for and against current theories
My own theory
How it can be argued for and against
Conclusion

Then I wrote (small) bits under the above - then made more headings - and slowly it came together.

That's a good list. Additionally, every reputable journal will have a template for papers they publish, and these templates have a good structure - make sure you pick an appropriate journal, of course.

I'm actually surprised the OP hasn't had a chat with the advisor/supervisor.

Annasopra

The Backwards Man wrote: »

Yep you're an old fogey taking up the space some young wan with a far more receptive brain should be filling.

Nothing irks me more than old people who don't know their place.

I find people telling people 43 that they are old and should know their place to be more irksome :pac:

c_man

To each their own and you should probably go for it.

Myself? Doing a Masters was such a waste. If I could go back... I knew after a year it wasn't for me but for some silly reason kept at it. A complete waste of time, learned more in 3 months of real work than I did in two years at that isolated ivory tower.

The Backwards Man

Joeytheparrot wrote: »

I find people telling people 43 that they are old and should know their place to be more irksome :pac:

You can say what you like about old people, they can't run after you.

You need to addresses your motivation thats what people keep telling me when I get fed up with it, the thing is i don't know what my motivation for doing it is except that I have paid for it now.

twill

The best advice I've ever heard about motivation problems in the writing up stage was by Hugh Kearns, who gives talks around most of the universities. He has some free articles and resources on his website. I Think Well or something like that. I'm not advertising, but have finished a masters and the advice was invaluable. The gist of some of it is write, right now, because the process of writing is itself creative. You'll get the majority of your ideas that way.

Magico Gonzalez

Never got passed the PGDip personally, left it there. You too can be a middle manager in a successful MNC without really applying yourself academically.

Believe. take the path of least resistance.

gutenberg

I'm currently writing up a PhD, so I feel you OP! Some thoughts on writing and motivation...

As others have already said, one of the best strategies for breaking a block is to just throw words on the page. Some people freeze when confronted with the blank page, but writing anything, even if it's sh*t, will help get the creative juices flowing, and the writing muscles working. I've always found it easier to go back and change something, versus sitting trying to think of how to phrase something absolutely perfectly the first time round.

Have you come across the Pomodoro technique, for timekeeping and motivation? It's especially handy for writing but can also be used for other tasks as well. Basically, you break a task down into 25-minute segments, then take a 5-minute break, then another 25 minutes, and so on. I use it to help my writing: I decide I'm going to try write a particular paragraph in one 25-minute chunk. Once I've done one, even if it was painful, the next few 25 minute segments become easier - see point 1 above! 25 minutes feels manageable, plus breaking down a big task into smaller ones is actually a useful skill and way to approach things anyway. There are tons of Pomodoro apps and websites out there for timers etc., or you could just use your phone's timer, or an egg timer!

One other thing I do is that on days when it feels like my brain simply won't cooperate, I try to make myself do unthinking tasks instead, that are still work. Depending on your subject, this could be stuff like footnotes, bibliography, transcription, etc. It's still work, but doesn't require the same mental agility as something like writing.

Good luck OP, you can do it!

intheclouds

^^^
Great tip on the unthinking tasks. It's still progress, and you really appreciate that that stuff is done and not waiting to annoy you at the end!

Anesthetize

The Backwards Man wrote: »

Everybody should stop learning once they die.

Fixed yo' post

Filmer Paradise

Hard to know OP.

Depends on your age, what you're studying & why you're studying it.

There was a time when having your Leaving Cert was a guarantee of a good job. Then, if you had a degree you're life was made.
Then, a Degree couldn't cut it. You had to have a Masters...

It goes on....

Of course there's usually plenty of money involved, not to mention some of the best years of your life having no money to spend.

OP. Just look at the outlay & balance it out on the difference it will likely make on your future earnings over the potential length of your future career.

If the numbers don't add up, knock it on the head.

Don't become one of those 'eternal student' types. All thinking & no doing.

ToddyDoody

Stheno wrote: »

what you do when your brain just stalls?

Panic and pretend that failure is a perfectly legitimate option.

Capt'n Midnight

You can thank me later. http://www.essaytyper.com/

Stheno

Update: Hoping to have a final draft for review by Sunday

Gives me two weeks to review/edit.

Best thing I did was talk a break over Christmas, I'd forgotten how much work and research I'd done.

Just over two weeks to go!

Stheno, you will drive yourself completely bonkers if you continue to stare at the screen or attempt to write when you feel stuck. Take a break. Do something light and nice.

Be absolutely sure of your timing. I was left doing a weeks worth of editing over two days and that was with an extension.

Keep going. The end result will be worth it

Stheno

Deleted User wrote: »

Stheno, you will drive yourself completely bonkers if you continue to stare at the screen or attempt to write when you feel stuck. Take a break. Do something light and nice.

Be absolutely sure of your timing. I was left doing a weeks worth of editing over two days and that was with an extension.

Keep going. The end result will be worth it

Research done - check
Research bookmarked - check
Chapters required and structured understood - check
First three chapters of six completed - check
Last three chapters organised -check


Time to blend it all together - check.

Time to edit -check.

Jesus, I'm close to getting a Masters, first in my family ever to get one.
I've so many people to thank it's silly

Well then you are good to go.

Don't forget to come back and tell us you got a First

Stheno

Deleted User wrote: »

Well then you are good to go.

Don't forget to come back and tell us you got a First

They call it something different in the UK something like distinction/merit, whatever, any way I'm not expecting a first, ,a 2.1 would be nice.

It's tough going when you are working:o

Noodles81

Stheno wrote: »

Research done - check
Research bookmarked - check
Chapters required and structured understood - check
First three chapters of six completed - check
Last three chapters organised -check


Time to blend it all together - check.

Time to edit -check.

Jesus, I'm close to getting a Masters, first in my family ever to get one.
I've so many people to thank it's silly

Well done! I'm on the same journey and it's wonderful to see you near completion! Mine is due in September. Motivating myself to do the work in the evening is the hardest. I enjoy it though when I get stuck in.

I'll be the 1st in my family too. My folks will be more happy about it than I will be!

steddyeddy

Stheno wrote: »

Looking for motivation here

And hoping for some positive responses.

Doing a part time Masters the past few years, to tick the box on the cv that I have a degree,

Have a PG Diploma already and struggling to get over the line and do the work to convert it into a thesis, so wondering if any one here has feedback on what you do when your brain just stalls?

Good luck and remember why you started in the first place.

sebcity

Well done. I'm envious!

intheclouds

Stheno wrote: »

Jesus, I'm close to getting a Masters, first in my family ever to get one.
I've so many people to thank it's silly

Well done! I submitted last September, am hoping to hear something back after the January exam boards. One thing I have learned is that academia moves very slowly! When I got my most recent degree it was 6 months after I got the results before I got the parchment.

It's a great feeling to submit the Masters thesis!

gutenberg

Good luck, and keep going!

Stheno

Submitted last week, exam board in March

The relief of getting it done was massive

Cool_CM

Stheno wrote: »

Submitted last week, exam board in March

The relief of getting it done was massive

Well done!

Word of advice, don't read back over it until after the exam board!

evolving_doors

Stheno wrote: »

Submitted last week, exam board in March

The relief of getting it done was massive

Darn I thought your OP post was new.. I was about to tell you to give up.

Actually you should try and un-submit it now.

Stheno

Gebgbegb wrote: »

Darn I thought your OP post was new.. I was about to tell you to give up.

Actually you should try and un-submit it now.

Your faith in me is touching :pac: