I’ve Finished my Dissertation!

I’ve finished my dissertation! Those long coffee-fuelled days and sleepless nights are at an end. The level of stress is none existent and I find myself with so many free hours in the day – the question is, what to do now I’ve finished my dissertation?!

Pretty simple really, get back to living the life I love – and I’ve done exactly that this last week! We’re not quite at those long beautiful spring evenings yet, but with a bit of ambition (and a head torch!), after work adventures are definitely go.

For those of you who have been lucky enough to avoid a dissertation, or don’t know what it is; it’s quite simply every final year uni student’s worst nightmare. It’s essentially a self-motivated piece of work, which is expected to culminate everything you’ve learnt throughout your course, along with extensive research to support.

Despite having over six months to complete, the stress levels become unreal. The late nights and the constant anxiety it brings – leaving you feeling engulfed and unable to think about much else. Think of being attacked by an octopus… a very large, persistent and vicious one… that’s probably how I’d describe it.

Being an engineer, I did mine around a concept demonstration of an additive manufacture process. It was a really interesting subject; having the freedom to research, create and simulate using advanced engineering technologies. But I think if someone were to say the words ‘additive manufacture’ to me again anytime soon, I may poke their eyes out.

So as you can imagine, the feeling of shear relief I got from handing it in! It’s like a ginormous dead weight has been lifted. Monday the 18^th March was a date I’ve yearned for weeks and months – deadline day!

But, you didn’t start reading this to hear me whinge about my dissertation! You want to know how I’m filling all my spare time… you know, interesting stuff.

I made myself a promise whilst slaving away behind a screen, night after night, weekend after weekend, that as soon as this work was done, I would channel all the same hours into the things I love.

Since last Monday I’ve been free to run, cycle and kayak to my hearts contempt. I’ve been free to make the most of the playground that is the Ribble Valley once again.

I’m a big advocate of combining adventure with daily routine, so cycling to work is ideal. But why just cycle to work?

Okay, yes you have to go work at some point and you have to get home at some point… duh. But why not take the long way? It’s a nice night, you’ve got time, what do you really need to be home for. In my case; nothing. If I can spend all night dissertation’ing, I’ve earnt the right to spend all night cycling!

The Ribble Valley is home to some beautiful soft, rolling landscapes. It’s ideal cycling country. A 40-50 mile route has endless possibilities with opportunity to explore new routes, on quiet country roads. Its tranquil, peaceful and an idyllic way to forget all the dissertation stress.

It’s not just cycling, now I’ve finished my dissertation – my trail running game has been pretty strong too. From the Trough of Bowland to the Anglezarke moors, the Lancashire trails are in abundance. You’ve got everything from loose rock to steep climbs, to grassy fell tops. With a bit of creativity, you can find everything from quick 5km hitters, to 20-30km epics. The views never disappoint either!

Oh yeah, kayaking – I nearly forget! My kayaking game was weak over winter. That said, we had a bad winter kayaking season in the UK – again. The river levels were so few and far between. When they were up, it wasn’t anything I hadn’t done before. So the sacrifice of driving 1-2hours each way, plus paddle fath, made it a big day out and just really got in the way of my growing workload. Poor excuses, I know – but thats the situation the dissertation leaves you feeling like your in.

Now I’ve finished my dissertation, no such time constraints exist… can I get a whoop whoop?! After picking up my fresh new kayak on Saturday, it was straight up the M6 to the Lake District for a well-earned van camp out with friends and a Sunday well spent kayaking.

Since I’ve finished my dissertation, I feel a million times better. Both mentally and physically. My previous post, is it worth it? questioned why I was putting so much time in doing work like this, when really, I live for adventure. I’m very proud of what my dissertation has created and will hopefully continue to create in my line of work – but oh how I’ve missed having the freedom to pursue adventure and chase sunsets every evening. One thing is for sure, I’m learning that there is no time quite like the present, you have to take opportunity and make the most of each moment when pursuing the things you love most.

I’ve been very quiet with the blogging and social media recently, focusing on adventure purely for wellness and as an escape from the dreaded dissertation. I’ve been staring at a screen long enough during the day recently, at night I just wanted to run and cycle and be free of such constraints. But yeah, now I’ve finished my dissertation, I’m super excited to get back to sharing my adventures with you guys!

Thank you so much for reading guys!

*This article is not sponsored by Veloforte and reflects purely my opinion of the Veloforte product.

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