Hitting a wall

04Feb09

From complaining about not having enough to do, to slowly driving myself insane with lists and deadlines that may well be impossible.

1. Focus Groups

Sweet focus groups, everyone’s chance to get together and chat about what they want to see change for the programme next year. Teachers love the programme and they are very enthusiastically returning my calls with a “yes I will take part”. Students…not so much. In FG1 I have six young people saying they have no idea what I’m talking about (so that’ll be a no then) and another two who don’t want to come (thats a definate no then). Oh, and two say yes. FG2 I cant get anyone in. So thats a bit of a stress in itself.

So now I have to invite eight new people to come along. Hurrah!

2. The publication

Literature review done, once again I feel I am an expert on the rubbish hand that care leavers are dealt in life. But now my next task is condensing 10 pages of word heavy qualitative data into two a4 pages which can be easily read. Did I mention my 6 section divisions so the reader can easily see the post school destinations (work, education and unemployment) for both looked after at home and looked after with accomodation.

Blankly staring at my screen does not seem to work.

Stress eating does not seem to work.

I may have to actually work my way through this like a professional.

Filed under: focus group, journal, looked after young people, RA rant, research, side projects   |  Leave a Comment