Hi I'm new here and looking for some advice. Sorry this is rambling and long... I'm behind in my MSc project/dissertation which is due in two weeks. I originally started the course two years ago but had to take a leave of absence due to depression/anxiety. I started up again last September and things had been going well until a few months with the depression really starting to take hold again. It's basically zapped any motivation that I had for this project. Added to that I'm a type one diabetic and I was put on a new regime about a month ago which has my blood sugars going haywire. So I've been feeling pretty ill with that too unfortunately.

I was meant to see my supervisor last week but instead had a family emergency which is still ongoing. I really don't know how I'm going to have my project ready to submit by my deadline. There are actually two dates on my course to submit projects: one in September for winter graduation and one in December for summer graduation. The second submission is for people who have already started employment and so can only work on their projects part time. I'm meant to be starting a job at the end of September after submitting my project. I'm worried about telling my job if I have to ask my supervisor for an extension to submit on the second date. I'm worried they're going to think I'm totally incapable. My supervisor can only see me next Wednesday which only is a week before the project's due in and I don't even know how to begin explaining all this to her without sounding like I'm either making excuses or like a total basket case. She knows I've had some family stuff going on but not the rest of it. Before all of this I was sitting on a distinction and now I just feel like a failure.

Hi Vickye,

Sorry to hear about your troubles. I can empathise on the blood sugar front - I too am a type 1 diabetic and had problems during the first couple of years of my PhD (I was misdiagnosed and put on tablets), so I understand the problems that come with having blood sugars all up the creek! This probably hasn't helped with the depression either, as I've found that this can impact my mood a lot! Can you speak to your doctor/diabetic nurse if you have one to try and get your new regime sorted soon? Once you feel better that will probably help with getting back on track with the work.

As for your supervisor, my advice would be to draft an email to them explaining the problems you've had with family and the new regime for your diabetes. Explain what's happened and that you're trying to get back on track and that you can discuss this further with them in more detail next Wednesday. That way they can try to come up with a solution that isn't so close to the first deadline in September, and it might be easier to explain in an email than in person. I know it's easier said than done but please try not to stress, some supervisors aren't very sympathetic about these things (I know mine certainly isn't!) but at least once they're in the loop you'll feel better and most likely you can get an extension on medical grounds.

Also you say you're worried about telling the new job about needing an extension - is the job offer conditional on you submitting your dissertation? Feel free to PM if you want to chat more, and hope you start to feel better soon!

Tulip

It is normal to have. Just handle it with care and balance.