Here is the latest of our student blogs by Amy McDonald.

I cannot quite believe it but the time has finally come, after four years of thinking about it: it’s time to write my dissertation. 

The dreaded word has been on my mind since I got accepted to university all those years ago, but the inevitable must be faced- and I could not be more terrified.

You’ve heard stories about writing a dissertation throughout your whole university life: the tears, the stress and the sleepless nights.  Somehow you never think it’s going to be your turn and as I sit here in front of my computer with a blank page ready to write the first word of this ever anticipated document I cannot help think, where have the years gone?

Writing my dissertation always felt so far off into the future and then I stepped into third year and realised I have to write a dissertation next year.  I can almost see the finish line in the distance, however there is a long way to go before I can slide on my robe and hat.

My first sobs happened around two Sundays ago as I lay in bed trying to get to sleep. 

Well of course I couldn’t sleep, who can ever get to sleep on a Sunday, it’s almost the perfect night to worry and contemplate life.

 I tossed and turned and cried some more as I thought about the work that lay ahead.  For me, starting something is the biggest challenge.  Once I get into it there’s no stopping me and the motivation kicks in. 

However, that Sunday night I was as far away as ever from that person.  It was five weeks to go before the first dissertation deadline and I hadn’t so much as looked at a book. 

Everything started to run through my head: the disappointed faces of my parents when I told them I wouldn’t be graduating; waking up on a Tuesday afternoon to face another day of unemployment; and yes, I’m known as a drama queen for a reason.

This all changed however the following Wednesday.  All of a sudden I got this surge of motivation and there was no stopping me. 

I started planning, preparing and getting a good idea of what I was going to write.  This motivation hasn’t left me since and my goodness I hope it’s here to stay.

To all those first and second year university students, here’s a message.  Cherish those first couple of years because it only gets harder from there. 

Looking back I wish I had taken more time to appreciate early university life, because now, as I sit here surrounded by books my only goal is to get to that finish line.