First of all, congratulations! This is a huge step towards furthering yourself as a scholar and taking advantage of the honors program at O’Neill! Having recently completed my thesis, i’ve learned a few lessons along the way that I want to share as you begin your journey.
Find a topic you LOVE
When working on developing a research topic for your proposal, it is so important that you find a topic that you are truly passionate about. When you write about something that makes a difference to you, you will find yourself writing significantly more than you would if you were writing on a topic that is not as engaging. Do not worry, however, if you find yourself struggling with a topic you don’t love. There is some flexibility in switching your topic, however, the earlier you can do this the better.
It’s never too early to research
The program is designed to have a seamless transition from SPEA-V491 to SPEA-V499, so why can’t you start your research earlier? You need to do a literature review as a portion of your research proposal, and this can come in handy when you begin your research proposal for your final manuscript. Additionally, once you finalize how you plan on collecting data, hit the ground running! Data collection is something that is very time consuming, and this course is only restricted by time. If you are conducting interviews, like I was planning on doing, start that process as early as possible. You’re going to have people ignore your emails and you’re going to have people struggle in setting up a time to talk. These are things you can work to plan around.
Take advantage of the O’Neill network
Many of the faculty members at O’Neill are truly some of the top experts in their field. When searching for an academic advisor, do not be afraid to reach out to a faculty member who you have not had in class before. Additionally, do your research to find a professor who best fits your topic and goals for your study.
In addition to the nationally ranked faculty, O’Neill also has a wide alumni network who are eager to help current students any way they can. The alumni office is a great resource to connect you with professionals in your area of study. In addition to this, the library staff can help by providing resources to better complete your research. Take advantage of the resources right outside the classroom doors at O’Neill!
It will be tiring, but stick it out
Your thesis will be one of the most exhausting and time-consuming academic assignments you may complete during your undergraduate education. When the work gets rough, call on your thesis peer-group. This is a group of students in your SPEA-V499 class that you will work with throughout the semester. Don’t be afraid to share your current struggles with one another. You’ll be surprised to learn that they may be feeling the same way. You are not going through this alone.
You should be very proud of where you are at, currently. It is a big step to be completing such an important piece of work. The satisfaction I had when submitting my final manuscript was very rewarding and I am proud to have stuck it through the program. I wish you the best of luck!
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