Fatigue and Concentration (Dissertation Edition)

[sawardy]

Hi everyone,

I’m currently in the process of writing my dissertation. I’ve got a month to go and only have 2,000 words written out of 12,000. I’m really struggling at the moment because I can’t concentrate. I’m so tired all the time and my brain feels so foggy that I can’t seem to read or write. I’ve thought about getting an extension, but I have another 12,000 piece of writing (a play) due in three weeks after the dissertation that I don’t particularly want to knock into.

Does anyone have any tips or strategies for coping with fatigue? Or how to make the most of your time and be the most productive?

Thank you

[Peachii]

Hi,

I'm sorry to hear you're struggling. I had the same issue this time last year, plus I had my first lap 2 days after my exams so have the anxiety and nerves while studying! Horrible experience.

I found doing bite sized chunks helped best, and breaking everything down into categories. So I'd do 30 mins of research/notes, have a 30 min break and then go back to writing for another 30 mins and do this in 3 hr cycles and have an hour break. But having a plan and knowing what I was working on next always helped me refocus so I wasn't having to faff around with remembering what to do next.

Caffeine was also my go to (bad I know haha) but green tea is a fave due to the antioxidants. Also mefanamic acid and paracetamol for when pain kicks in(as codeine makes me dowsy so that made concentration worse).

My uni were pretty good tbf, talk to your lecturer/tutors to see if you can get longer extentions if possible. For example last year I became a "completing finalist", meaning instead of handing my Diss in in April, I got an extention until October as it was postponed to a later exam board. As I was only outstanding 40 credits in total it meant I could continue on without paying extra fees, but I had to graduate late that's the main downside. Check in with your student union and the course leader as they'll know best what to do in your situation.

Hope this helps x

[Emsy]

Hi yes I felt the same for years. Try iron supplements and vitamins c with zinc and magnesium too. For me full fat milk helps as it has b12 in and try to eat steak once a week. Ask for a blood test to check your iron stores (for anaemia) and for your ferritin levels too. Dark chocolate is good and spinach /green veg too take care of yourself xx

[Anastasia17 in reply to Emsy]

Be careful with milk ad it causes inflammation and can make endo worse. Take a vit b12 supplement instead. The iron /vitamins supplements are good as we tend to be deficient in these.