Dissertation Log: Week 1

Section 1

The Basics

Name: Ryn Johnstone

Age: 26

Date: 17th September 2023

Dissertation Title: Peter Pan Retelling | How to remix culture is important in a world with the seven-story archetype limitations

Section 2

Progress Questions

What are the most important results I obtained the last week?

Not much. I just learned that I’m not behind nor too far ahead. I’m confused about what I have to do, though. Honestly, it feels like we’ve been forgotten. Not in the sense that classes aren’t running, but in the fact that it feels like Lecturers have forgotten that we’ve never done a dissertation before, so we have no idea what we are doing. Like, yeah, the classes aren’t stressful, so that’s nice, but I’ve spent all of summer (April 2023 to September 2023) purely reading and writing for this. The module material doesn’t help me now. It’s all about finding your idea. I’ve done that. Where is the material and help for those further ahead? How much do I need to actually read? What can I do to move forward?

Everything is just, “You’re best discussing with your supervisor.” Okay, well, why couldn’t we have started the semester with our supervisors, plus the large class. All my questions are for my supervisor, but I’m just e-mailing him. Can’t we move into our supervision groups now, and get more individualised help? I do really feel forgotten. First from the fact that I’m doing Creative Writing and all my questions are met with, “I’ll try to help, but Creative Writing is done slightly different,” and, “You’re doing fine.”

Did I deviate from the planning of the last week? If so, why?

I never did any progression. I was too busy with my other two classes, and with a lack of guidance for the dissertation, it’s hard. The only thing I feel like I should do is just keep reading, but it feels wrong. I don’t even know how much I’m meant to read. Do I need one book or twenty? Nothing makes sense.

What are my most important goals for the coming week?

I will think of questions to ask during the coffee hour and see if that helps.

What do I have to do to meet these goals?

Just think of the questions and try to read more.

What can I do to overcome any hurdles on the way?

Don’t push too hard. Burnout is something I need to be mindful of.

Section 3

Grounding Questions

What has been your most significant achievement this week?

I didn’t spend all my money on Waterstones, but I got away with five books. One was for the second half of this semester, but the other four are personal.

What has been your biggest obstacle this week?

Getting a sleep routine going. I don’t know why, but sticking to a sleep routine lately has been so hard.

What are you concerned about for next week?

All the reading for Journalism and understanding the work. It seems easy, but I don’t think it will be.

What are you excited about for next week?

It sounds sad, but just getting a sleep routine back. I’m so tired. Also, I’m looking forward to reading the Manga I bought. I’ve never read a Manga before. It’s called The Girl From The Other Side by Nagabe. It looks good!

What made you smile this week?

Waterstones. It was a good day out with my sister, and I enjoyed myself. It did start chucking it down, but we got some books and something to eat.

What has been your favourite song(s) this week?

Sign of Life by Motionless In White

What has been your favourite photo(s) this week?

This one of the crane and the sky is on fire.

Anything else you want to say?

I’m tired already.

Section 4

The Discussion Board Questions

1. What do you think makes a successful English Studies UG dissertation topic? 

• Something enjoyable but something you won’t feel ruined for yourself. For example, loving a particular genre/author and studying them so much for the dissertation that their books are no longer fun.
• A question you are interested in that has depth to it. Something you wouldn’t mind doing hours upon hours of research about just for fun.
• Not getting too attached to the work. It will need to be edited and parts rewritten before it’s finalised. Sometimes Lecturer’s/Peer’s words can seem harsh and hurtful, but they are only trying to help you make this one shot the best it can. Maintaining a bit of emotional distance can help the words hurt less.
• Starting as early as possible. You have more time to mess around and find out if you start early.

2. What kind of topics should be avoided? 

• Broad Topics
• Too Narrow Topics.
• Multiple Books.
• Long Periods of time.
• “Yes” or “No” Questions.

Broad Topics will make it harder to fit all the relevant information into the 15,000 words expected for the dissertation. Opposingly, too narrow topics also cause issues since there are 15,000 words to be used and trying to stretch so little information over such a big word count will make it drag. “Yes” or “No” Questions leave nothing to talk about.

3. Respond to at least one response made by your peers.

Done.

Dissertation Log Week 1 = Complete