Dissertation

It’s a lovely warm sunny day, which is obviously rare in England, and I’m stuck in the library working on my dissertation.

Thankfully, some kind person has plugged in a fan behind me, and I’m well equipped with water so it’s okay, but nowhere near as good as being outside. For some reason, my hayfever hasn’t really kicked in yet so I’m a bit sniffly, but otherwise coping well :P

I’m in one of the science libraries, since it’s closer to my house and I don’t need any books (wouldn’t be much chance anyway at this time of year). It’s weird, like stepping back in time, because I’ve been sitting near at least three people I was in halls with in first year. Pretty much shows how many scientist friends I have; Bethany and Gilly walk into the arts library and know loads of people (as I should, being an arts student); for me it’s the science library I see most people I know/my friends in, even though I’d never been here until about February when I came to pick up some linguistics books. It quickly became a frequent haunt for me; closer to my house, much less crowded than the arts library even at this time of the year, and a hideaway from those arts students that see the library as a place to spend three hours getting ready for it then use it as an excuse to table hop.

This year I’ve made even more scientist friends, joining the geek societies and everything. I just feel more relaxed around people who aren’t constantly judging me or being really two-faced, negative, or any of the other attributes that seem to be so common amongst arts students here. Also, it’s a relief not to be around people who weigh about 7 stone.

Once I’ve finished this essay, I’m done. My undergraduate course will be over, and in a couple of months, I’ll have letters after my name and a photograph of me in a stupid hat, which my sister will no doubt make some horrible (but true) comment about. I’m so ready to move on. I have next year planned and sorted already, unlike a lot of people I know who have no idea what they’re doing. It’s all good. Kind of scary at the same time though. But it’s fine, I still look about 16. I can still pretend I’m a teenager (if I really, really want to).

After my diss. is done, I’ll have written over 22,000 words this semester – and that’s just work I’ve handed in, not drafts or notes or plans or emails or anything. Not that much left to go now, it’s pretty much done in draft form. For anyone interested in the topic, it’s about rape. The official title relates to ideological and material power in Chaucer and Gower, but it’s actually just about rape. I’m not entirely sure how that happened, but meh. No matter what I get in it, it has only a small chance of affecting my overall degree class, and I’m past the stage where I care. It’s not going to revolutionise the world, or even get Middle English critics excited. I feel kind of cheated, because I cared about it so much at the beginning. But this is what happens when you spend far too much time on Victorian theatre history instead :P

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9 Responses to Dissertation

  1. Simply Precious says:

    Aww, sorry to hear about being stuck in the library! =( But hehe about the fan!! A year or so ago, I was in this study hall, and it was freezing, but someone behind me had a portable heater plugged in, so that was nice. Hehe.

    Oh wow, it takes a couple of months for you to graduate?! I’m graduating in a week and a half. We have finals next week… But yes, hehe about looking young! Me too!!! LOL, you’ve seen pictures of me before. =P

    But yes, dang! You’ve kept track of how many words you’ve written this semester?! GEEEZ… I didn’t write much this semester, thank goodness. Hehe.

    But yes, good luck with everything! =)

  2. Gemma says:

    It’s so shocking to me that you’re nearly done! Done! Actually … Done! Finished! Complete! I’m so glad you’ve made it this far – you continue to inspire me everyday. Have you got any party plans sorted yet, or is it too early? Heh. Good luck with the dissertation! :D

  3. Emma says:

    Congratulations on almost finishing your undergraduate course.
    It’s a shame that you were stuck inside, I was too on that day I had to work, and with the stupid British weather thats probablt one of the few sunny days we will get.
    It’s good to hear that your hayfever hasn’t kicked in yet.
    Yay for science geeks lol.

  4. Britt says:

    Wow, it seems like you’ve had a busy year at university then! It makes me feel glad I’m only in my first year, although in three weeks that’ll be over already…
    Good luck on your dissertation. But knowing you it will be great! :)
    xxx

  5. Holly says:

    Haha! I’m a fellow arts student and I don’t think I’ve ever been in the science library at my university…or even anywhere near that side of the campus!

  6. Liss says:

    Hi Jenni, i was just wondering if you could help me. I am looking to study at Nottingham and i was wondering if you could describe the good and bad things about the uni, from a students perspective, regarding the accommodation, sports, nightlife, teaching quality.. i would really appreciate it. Thanks

  7. Katharina says:

    Wow, that sounds like a TON of work! I’m starting university this fall and can’t wait but I’m scared by the amount of work I’ll have to do… Good luck with everything!

  8. SunnaSol says:

    Hey nice site you got here!
    Check out mine anytime: http://www.freewebs.com/sunnasol/

  9. Justin says:

    I don’t mind the library, I love how peaceful it is. Then again, that’s what Starbucks is for haha. And that kinda sucks that you’re stuck there on a nice day haha. :roll:

    That’s a lot of words to write in a semester, curious as to how you kept track.. kind of hoping you didn’t count each word. :razz:

    I can’t really say good luck on your dissertation since it’s now a month later, but I hope you had fun writing it anyway. :grin:

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