The Final Chapter

Last year, I told myself that this year would be different. That this year I’d be one of those people, staying on top of it all and laughing at the past me, who traded in sensibility for last-minute studying frenzies, tears, and tea on tap. For me, the motivation that “the fear” gives you to hammer out an assignment increases as the time between you and D-Day shrinks. It’s practically mathematical.

We’ve known all along that the dreaded Final Year was creeping nearer and nearer. 2012 rolled in, the trumpets cried, and we had our warning to get our acts together. I’ve tried to be the Queen of Organisation this year, timetable in one hand and beefy textbook in the other, but I can’t say I’ve changed my old, scattered ways. Consider this my notice of failure. The leopard could not change her spots.

'just one more nap...'

Final year is special in the sense that we finally get to choose our own modules. It makes revision and studying so much more interesting when it’s the subjects that you care about the most! But that doesn’t mean it’s any easier - when you are juggling your modules and electives with work, commuting, home and health, it can be a lot to carry. As for the dissertation? It is most definitely going to be an Easter job. Though I do find it comforting that we are all in the same boat, and that I’m not alone in my last-minute tendencies (even if it means that getting a quiet table in the library will be nearly impossible!)

You'll be glad to know that I’m not just here to tell you about my own incompetence. Rather, I’m here because, fellow students, this is something we all have to go through. We’re all in this together, and in answer to your wishes, I’m here to be the angel and the devil on your shoulder. Here are some things, naughty and nice, which might help you to get through the dreaded dissertation season; not all of them will work for everyone, but it’s all about trial and error, seeing what helps and works for you. Good luck!

The Good

Here I’ll be shamelessly plugging some of the university services which I’ve found useful in the past. Most recently I’ve been reading through The Final Chapter; this is a comprehensive tutorial from the library containing advice for successfully tackling the undergraduate research process. In addition to this, the university runs free skills workshops, containing everything you need to equip you with some extra academic strength, ranging from writing and computer classes to practicing presentation skills. 

And finally, there is the student counselling centre. Don’t be put off if you feel it might not be your thing – aside from counselling and drop-ins, they cater for all students, running Wednesday Workshops which help people to cope with stress and anxiety, among other things. Both of their in-person workshops and online resources have helped me a great deal when trying to understand and better manage stress and anxiety, and I can’t recommend them enough. There’s no shame in feeling like you need help; it’s so easy to feel overwhelmed by everything and wonder how you are going to cope with it all. They provide wonderful, impartial services for those who need it.

The Not-So Good

In true devilish fashion, I couldn’t tell you how to get through these next few weeks, without including some of the best ways to procrastinate and slack off! We all need a break sometimes, and the internet is here to give it to you. You’ll notice that this section is slightly longer. That’s because being naughty is much more fun.

A favourite procrastination method of mine is web comics. Some of the best are SMBC, The Oatmeal, Explosm, Hyperbole and a Half, and slice-of-life comic Questionable Content, which you should read from the very beginning. Or, there are always funny articles on 27bslash6, or The Daily Mash. If videos are more your thing, Youtube channels such as Illwillpress (if you like funny rants), College Humor, SMBC theatre, How It Should Have Ended, and Comediva are winners for me. I've also recently discovered a fun online tool called Pulp-o-mizer, and lost an entire afternoon as a result. The nerd in me is loving this!



That's to name a few, anyway. What are your favourite coping/procrastination tools? Let me know in the comments!