Dissertations or research projects are often the most substantial piece of academic work you’ve done to date, usually involving a multi-stage process that can extend over a period of months. As they tend to be independent projects, students can find setting and maintaining a pace somewhat challenging in the face of other commitments, both within and outside of their course. At points, such assignments might seem daunting, even insurmountable. But in this blog post, we’re going to try and reframe the dissertation process to help you approach your dissertation journey with confidence and self-compassion.

We might compare research projects to mountain-hiking, perhaps climbing Wainwrights in the Lake District. There are ups, downs, stretches that will be harder work, perhaps. Weather conditions might mean sometimes the path ahead to the summit is clear, but sometimes mists abruptly descend and it’s easy to become despondent or even lost . Maybe you need to retrace steps to get back on the right path. Sometimes the terrain is forgiving; sometimes it’s boggy, slippery or even treacherous. You might feel this particular Wainright is maybe for more experienced hikers…But then turning a corner reveals a view where you see the extent of your progress and marvel at the view.

It’s a metaphor that also works for our mindset when it comes to longer projects. There are those that might approach hiking as a challenge, almost as a race against themselves. These people might be focused on ‘bagging’ the Wainwright and that end-goal focus gives them drive to maintain motivation and pace. They may also have a level of fitness, experience or personal circumstances that mean climbing a mountain might not be such a significant challenge.

Others might follow a similar path through the terrain, but maybe have good reason to take a more measured approach, stopping for breaks and pausing for breath. They pass the same milestones but set a pace that works for them. They might well find stretches particularly difficult depending on the route, the conditions or their own personal circumstances. Their sense of achievement at the end is no less rewarding; indeed, perhaps they can take more pride in their resilience and tenacity.

Perhaps they’re not trying to conquer the mountain; they’re maybe more explorative, curious and open to discovery. They might even have found enjoyment in taking a more measured pace, seeing it as an opportunity to immerse themselves in their surroundings at a deeper level. In The Living Mountain, Nan Shepherd points out that ‘to aim for the highest point is not the only way to climb a mountain’, preferring a more sensory ‘walking into’ mountainous landscapes to ‘walking up’ peaks.

Similarly, whilst some students sprint along with their dissertation, many more work in fits and starts or steadily slow-burn their way through their research towards submission. A more paced approach might help you work in way that’s sustainable over a long period of time, but it might also give you chance to really immerse yourself in the research, learning deeply about a subject that you are passionate about. Yes, there’s always the deadline which means you can’t be overly leisurely or meandering. So aim for early starts on your research at the beginning of the module so you can make the most of the time available.

So, here are some questions to ask yourself of your own dissertation journey:

• Who is walking alongside you at a similar pace and can offer support?
• What stages of the project might be more ‘uphill’?.
• What can be done on days when energy is low?
• How will you ensure you take breaks and stay nourished (physically and mentally)?

If you want to learn more about managing your dissertation or research project, take a look at the links below:

Skills@Cumbria Dissertations and Research Projects

Skills@Cumbria Time Management

And enjoy your journey!