You’re guaranteed a first with this ultimate Notts student dissertation survival guide

Writing a dissertation seems incredibly daunting at first but, as someone who literally switched degrees in their final year for the sole purpose of writing a diss, I am here to help you conquer those grade-defining 10,000 words.

Whilst every module that you take is important, your dissertation will undoubtedly start to take greater priority as your year progresses. Writing a high-quality dissertation can be the difference between you receiving a 2.2 and a 2.1. Therefore it is of utmost importance that you complete it to the best of your abilities.

Your laptop is your best friend

10,000 words is a lot to write and this is likely to put a lot of strain on your brain but don’t forget to also consider the strain put on your poor laptop. Make sure to take care of it. Don’t be like me and spill countless energy drinks or bottles of water on it during late-night study sessions. Keep all liquids away from it but, if you have to have a drink near it, please please please make sure to put a lid on it.

It could also be good to get the fan in your laptop cleaned. There is nothing worse than being sat in the library next to someone whose laptop sounds like it’s going to take off because of how many tabs they’ve got open. If you aren’t going to get it professionally cleaned then maybe consider taking the time to clear up some storage and try not to have too many tabs open. Don’t put your laptop under unnecessary pressure.

Choose a topic that you’re actually interested in

The most important step during your dissertation journey is choosing the right topic. You are spending a lot of time on your diss so there is so don’t get stuck in writing about something you find boring. Whilst all courses will have some constraints on the choice of topic, it is important to understand the requirements and adapt them to suit your skills, interests, and future career goals.

Discuss your diss with your friends

Nobody tells you this but, your friends are your best source of information, utilise them and their knowledge. Keeping in the loop on each other’s dissertations can be such an easy way to do research for your dissertation. Tell your friends what you are researching and listen to what they are doing too. This way if you happen to come across an article or report that could help them, you can share the link. This form of collaborative research is so helpful, particularly if your dissertations are on similar topics.

Meet with your supervisor at least once a week

When writing such a long piece of work with a deadline that is months away from the start date, it is incredibly easy to lose accountability and neglect your research. In order to maintain your grip on things, it is best to keep regular communication with your supervisor. Remember that they are there for a reason and know a lot more than you. It is their job to help you through the entire process.

Keeping in regular contact with your supervisor will also help hold you accountable for the amount of work that you are completing.

Do some research and then do some more

Researching your topic in-depth will take up a large part of your dissertation. Before you can write your diss, it is paramount that you know your topic like the back of your hand.

It is also super important to make sure that you are not writing about something that has already been written about but, if your heart is set on writing on a previously researched project you must ensure that you aren’t repeating what’s already published but developing on their findings into your own.

Pack your bag the night before

Don’t get too excited, I am not suggesting that going on a holiday is going to help you write your dissertation, I am reminding you to make sure that you always take the right equipment onto campus with you when you go to study. There is nothing worse than being caught out without your laptop charger or some decent study snacks.

Managing your time well will make all the difference

This point has probably been drilled into you by every member of university staff but, as someone who spent their first two years of uni not managing their time effectively, I can promise you that it makes the biggest difference to your grades and work ethic.

Something which I have found helps has been separating my home life and my work life. When you work from home, it is so easy to get distracted by more exciting activities. That’s why it is so important to find somewhere else to act as your workspace, whether it is a library on campus or a coffee shop in town. Set yourself a time of day once or twice a week and go there to get some work done.

Referencing doesn’t have to be hard

If you don’t already use the inbuilt referencing methods in Microsoft Word then I am about to change your life. Referencing was the bane of my life until I realised that you can type all the information you have on a source into Word and it will format it correctly based on your referencing style.

Along the toolbar, you will find a References tab where you can format your contents page, citations, references, bibliography, figure list, and appendix. Correctly formatting your document can have a surprising impact on your grade; I know someone who wrote an amazing initial report but didn’t reference correctly and missed out on almost an entire grade.

Don’t give up

Writing your dissertation is going to be a very lengthy and tiring process but it has to be done. You absolutely have to push through the stress. Drink a coffee, tidy your room, stare blankly at your document for two hours, do what you’ve got to do. Any time spent working on your dissertation is time well spent.

Get a life beyond your diss

It is also so important to look after yourself and your mental health. It is so easy to let your uni work take over your life but remember to take time for yourself. Well managed time also involves taking the time to hang out with your friends, go for a drink, or wind down in any way that you choose. Your diss is important but your physical and mental well-being are more important. If you are struggling in any way then tell your supervisor and they will be able to help you through the process.

I hope that this article helps you in some way, if it has been completely useless then pop down to Blackwells and buy one of their vast collection of “how to write a dissertation” books.  Good luck!

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