Dissertation Diaries

Hey guys!

I know you’re probably thinking “where’s today’s recipe post?” considering that’s what you’re used to seeing on this blog on Sunday. However, I wanted to move away from posting baking content so much and towards something I talk about in my “About Me” section.

As well as an avid baker, and book lover (I’m sure you’ll find out in the future!), I’m also a student at Liverpool John Moores University. I’m loving my time there so far, learning more about my chosen subject (English Literature) and myself (like the fact that I will always fret about getting assignments done and I will almost always get them done early!).

In order to get a feel for uni life, or at least my uni experience, I thought I’d start posting my “Dissertation Diaries” , where I’ll keep you updated with how I’m feeling, any obstacles I’m facing (or any good things I’ve found) and the all important word count. It’ll be a place for me to vent and let off some steam but, also, I hope it’ll be a place for people who haven’t got there yet (or are in the process) to realise that your Dissertation actually isn’t as bad as you think!

It’ll be four weeks ago this week that I sat down for my first dissertation related lecture and meeting with my advisor. I was incredibly scared at that point, as (even though I’ve known that I had to do it since I got to uni) there’s been little mention of the dreaded D word until now. I mean, if someone told you to write an 8000 word essay, you’d feel panicked too, right?

My love of Victorian novels I’d developed on the course meant that, if I only knew one thing about my dissertation, I knew I wanted to write about Victorian fiction. This led me to choose Jane Eyre, Wuthering Heights and The Woman in White.

Where did I go from there? I thought about how they linked, in the way that they all show mental illness in women and- in my eyes- place has an impact on the women’s mental states.

At the minute, my dissertation is in the planning stages. A proper proposal is due November 2nd, which I’m nervous about (considering it’s not done and I’m worried I won’t be able to convey my ideas and research in the way I want to). Instead of letting it get the better of me, I’m just going to go for it and see how it goes- it counts for 10% of my final grade, which feels scary. BUT I know that either it’ll work out well and I’ll feel great going into the main part (writing the actual thing) or I’ll know what I need to work on.

At the minute, I’m living by three R’s:

Number One:

“Read”: You know what people say, you write better when you read a lot. So I’m reading a lot. I’m going to read around my subject more, read about how to structure my proposal more and just read, read, read!

Number Two:

“Research”: After all, you can’t write about something you’ve not researched. It means I’m revisiting some stuff I’m familiar with but, also, I’m looking at new perspectives in terms of my chosen books and ideas.

Number Three:

“Relax”: I know it sounds like I’m defeating the object but, as well as working really hard, you’ve got to make sure to give yourself some time to unwind, recharge and relax. This also works for if you get yourself in a bit of a flap over your dissertation (which I have, and will still do), relax. It feels scary at the start but, eventually, you’ll start feeling better in yourself and your ideas.

So that’s this week’s Dissertation Diaries done. At the minute, I feel a little bit stressed about it but- as hard as I can- I’m trying to let myself not be stressed.

That’s me, for now, but you can still catch my thoughts on the latest episode of The Great British Bake Off on Tuesday!

Current word count: 0 (still planning)