One down, three to go.

I handed in my first portfolio of work. I've got one more portfolio to hand in and then two exams. I'm not too worried about the exams really, I just have to read some books and waffle for 500 words. But this portfolio is kind of annoying me and freaking me out. I stupidly didn't show up for a lot of the classes and I'm kind of lost. I have to write a 5000 word prose piece and then I have to write 1000 words on the research I did for it. I have written about 2500 words for the piece and as of yet I have done no research. I have no idea what to write about. I'm basing the story on personal experience and then just making shit up as I go along. They want me to include newspaper articles, photographs, character sketches and other assorted bullshit. They say that any writing of this length is always accompanied by research. I am certain that not every writer in the world researches that much. What the fuck is wrong with just making shit up as I go along? Why have I got to go out and look at magazines and pictures? It's really annoying me. I almost just want to write 'FUCK YOUR RESEARCH'. Ugh. University professors, what do they know...