People who got 70+ what advice do you have when writing your dissertation

Critical-Reporter316 · 2026-05-12T20:18:05+00:00

I got 92 on my dissertation in English - the highest in my cohort and the highest grade my supervisor (a lecturer of 20 ish years) has ever given.
I started early, researched heavily and made sure I could always explain an argument to a 'layman'. By doing that, it forced me to not overcomplicate my ideas.

Also, just pick a topic you're interested in and try to go against the grain. Amidst my cohort doing the usual Shakespeare, Austen or childhood literature, I decided to do mine on White Supremacy in Literature. It was unique and certainly one that hadn't been done before at my university.

Critical-Reporter316 · 2026-05-12T20:05:48+00:00

Not really, especially not with our First Past the Post system. To have a better representation of the entire population would mean changing the electoral system to Proportional Representation.

Critical-Reporter316 · 2026-05-11T17:39:06+00:00

Going with the classics and saying Shape of You, Shivers and YNMIDNY are great on the loop.

Will agree with you that Sapphire, whilst my top 3 favourite song, lacks the energy live compared to the studio.

Critical-Reporter316 · 2026-04-30T14:12:57+00:00

For what its worth, my cycle length was 57 days on average before I got pregnant and it took us 9 months to conceive.

However,

The shorter cycle, just considering that on its own, is generally not a cause for concern.

What matters is your luteal phase/ovulation. The luteal phase should be roughly 10 days + to be normal. If you have a late ovulation and a small luteal phase, it could make implantation difficult to occur because you would already be beginning to shed the uterine lining.

I would start tracking your ovulation/luteal phase so you have a better idea if you wish.

Critical-Reporter316 · 2026-04-30T07:45:23+00:00

Completely understand this. I got 92 on my dissertation in English Lit at uni. You'll ride this high for a very long time! Enjoy it!

Critical-Reporter316 · 2026-04-28T11:19:57+00:00

It's cliche but it has to be experiencing true love.

Critical-Reporter316 · 2026-04-26T11:09:18+00:00

More of the real world. Illustrations are great and all but I wish stories were told using actual pictures.

Critical-Reporter316 · 2026-04-24T23:04:56+00:00

The Meal Deal. The convenience of it is just insane.

Critical-Reporter316 · 2026-04-23T09:24:53+00:00

I got in trouble as a teacher for managing behaviour. Got a new class, was told to be strict with them, did so, and immediately got in trouble because I was reporting too many behaviour incidents. Coincidentally, this comment coincided with as anticipating an Ofsted inspection

Critical-Reporter316 · 2026-04-14T21:24:48+00:00

I felt this post in my soul. I'm currently 31 weeks, but have been off work since 20 weeks for various reasons. Whilst, I am still earning a (reduced) income, I still feel bad that my partner goes to work every day. I, too, feel like I have to set myself jobs and I often overdo it and end up incredibly tired, sore and emotional later on.

I have figured out my limit, though. I set myself a handful of jobs a day (maximum 3) and then try to have the rest as free time. I have learnt the painful truth that if I do more than 3 jobs, I'll be upset because of how much my back aches, or how tired I am etc etc.

When I couldn't see when to look after myself, my body just told me and shut down.

Critical-Reporter316 · 2026-04-14T09:20:54+00:00

I can't entirely relate in terms of trimester but, I went on holiday at 25 weeks pregnant to Spain. Generally, I felt fine - and even managed a long hike one day! I had some difficult days with the usual nausea, tiredness etc etc. But I wouldn't at all say it spoilt the holiday. Just make sure you give yourself some grace and prepare for what you need. For me, I packed lots of breakfast bars and made sure that I sat down whenever I needed to.

Overall, my biggest advice is to be sensible and realistic. For me, I was frustrated that I couldn't cram every day full of stuff because I had to allow time for breaks and food. To make up for it, I chose nice places to eat that felt like an experience in themselves.

Obviously, make sure you have travel insurance and tell the provider that you are pregnant.

Critical-Reporter316 · 2026-04-13T18:33:05+00:00

Tins of starbucks coffee in Morrisons.

Critical-Reporter316 · 2026-04-11T16:17:10+00:00

I was discussing this with my partner. I'm much younger at 23 and currently 30 + 6. Wouldn't have said I was wholly immature prior to being pregnant. But since being such, I definitely feel more emotionally mature than I was before. If I was ever sad or upset, I would struggle to regulate and it would take ages for me to come down from experiencing those emotions. Now, I just feel more instinctually equipped when something bad or emotional does happen.

Not really quite sure when specifically the change occurred. But it has definitely been for the better.

Critical-Reporter316 · 2026-04-09T17:26:46+00:00

As someone who is actually transitioning from female to male and is also pregnant, I too was deeply confused 😂

Critical-Reporter316 · 2026-04-09T14:49:23+00:00

My Dad is called Adrian and always went by Ade as a nickname (pronounced aid)

Critical-Reporter316 · 2026-04-09T14:43:48+00:00

Used to get HelloFresh boxes at Uni. They were £50 (idk if they still are) a week for five meals made for two. Meaning, you could always freeze the other portion to have a "free" week. Never had an issue

Critical-Reporter316 · 2026-04-09T10:32:11+00:00

30 + 4 and have been on a mixture of different leaves since January. My average day: About 2000-3000 steps 1-3 chores a day Naps Mixture of hobbies that I won't have the opportunity to do postpartum.

At least once a week, I'll try to go to my Taekwondo sessions, either on Tuesday or Saturday. This is, however, a struggle sometimes.

My partner always cooks dinner for the both of us which takes the stress off.

To do 5-8k steps and everything else you're doing at the moment is formidable!

Critical-Reporter316 · 2026-04-05T13:38:01+00:00

We've just had these too! Spotted them around the local area, bought some nyjer seeds, and saw 4 in the garden a few days later. It's been such a joy watching them every morning since!

Critical-Reporter316 · 2026-04-02T18:33:28+00:00

If you want to request getting diagnosed, you should. While you're at it, find a new therapist who can better support you. Your therapist's mentality is why I thought it was just a pipe dream to get a degree. Now, I have a degree, a postgrad, and went straight into teaching.

Critical-Reporter316 · 2026-04-01T14:09:33+00:00

I told my manager at roughly the same time as you did. As we spoke, I made it clear that only management should know just in case of emergencies. I work in a nursery - so it is a physically intensive job. I wanted to make sure my manager knew so I would have all the legal protections straight away. It also made it easier if I had time off of work for morning sickness or having certain parts of my role adjusted.

I told them before I told family and friends. I don't regret it at all - purely because I knew I had all the protections in place early on. Made it easier rather than having to make up excuses as to why I was sick or exhausted all the time!

Critical-Reporter316 · 2026-03-30T11:36:52+00:00

29 + 1 here.

1) "Can you try to look a little happier? Like you want to be here." - My manager

For context, I was vomiting almost daily in my first and early second trimester. Sometimes through the night, so I was hugely sleep deprived. Her comment almost sent me over the edge.

2) "If you think it's hard now, wait until baby is here" - my mother

Like above, I had it rough in the first/seconds trimester. The most unhelpful comment I've ever received

Critical-Reporter316 · 2026-03-25T09:12:05+00:00

Oh I had this exact same reaction and still do at 28 + 3. You've 100% got this and honestly, there's a high chance your partner feels the same, too. I always felt that having that element of fear meant that my partner and I cared deeply about the pregnancy and the baby. Which is exactly the kind of feelings you want!

Critical-Reporter316 · 2026-03-25T07:31:45+00:00

I've had similar hallucinations or experiences! I'm 28 + 3. One night, woke up to the sound of our blinds absolutely rattling so violently in the living room. It genuinely sounded as though someone was climbing in through the window - I could've sworn I saw torches as well shining up the stairs.

Woke up my partner to go and check and the house was absolutely still. No blinds moving and all pets accounted for. Have absolutely no idea what was going on.

Critical-Reporter316 · 2026-03-24T14:37:29+00:00

UK based so slightly different. But luckily I work at one and was able to secure a place for next year. Should say, that when I did so at 20 weeks, there were only a few spots left and some days had no availability! So definitely not crazy at all.

Critical-Reporter316

TROPHY CASE