So, you have embarked on your journey as an O’Neill Honors student, and now you must write your honors thesis. As someone on the other side, I hope I can offer you some advice and words of encouragement.
It is Worth It!
I know that many times I have felt the desire to drop O’Neill Honors to avoid taking on such a great task as writing a thesis. After all, I don’t want to become a researcher! Why should I spend a year conducting research? However, at the end of it all I am so glad that I stayed. This really put me to the test and exposed the personal flaws that I need to work on. Plus, if you succeed you earn all the prestige that comes with O’Neill Honors and writing a thesis. Write something that you are proud to show potential employers. This hard work truly does pay off.
A Test of Will
This will push you past your comfort zone. Learning how to manage writing a thesis on top of my regular academic duties, working, maintaining a social life, and getting a good night’s sleep has been one of the greatest challenges of my life. I am sure that it will be for many of you too. This is a test of will, and you will have to make sacrifices. Don’t despair. Remember that there is a reason you are here. You are intelligent and capable, otherwise you would not have been invited to join O’Neill Honors! Trust in yourself and the amazing O’Neill faculty around you. They are here to help you. Listen and learn from them. It will be hard, but there are others in the same boat as you. Help and encourage one another and you will go far!
What I Wish I Knew
I have always struggled with procrastination, and I am sure that many of you have as well. I work best under pressure, so I would always leave everything to the last minute. This approach does not work for a challenge this large. You need to dedicate time each week to your thesis, otherwise you will find yourself in the situation I was in. Trust me, you do not want that. Remember that the end of the semester is the time where papers, projects, and presentations for all of your courses are typically due. You do not want to have to worry about your thesis on top of all that. My advice? Take advantage of the first semester thesis course. If you do well with that, it will build the foundation for your future success. Here is what I recommend.
- Really think about your topic. I had to change topics late into the process and it really set me back. It isn’t the end of the world if you do, but avoid this if possible.
- Find your advisor early. You could have the best topic in the world, but if there is no O’Neill professor familiar with that field, you will have a very hard time.
- Work hard on your drafts. Because of my procrastination tendencies, I didn’t really give my first few drafts much thought. This was a grave mistake, as your drafts will provide the foundation for your manuscript. Write a good draft now and save yourself from confusion and more work later.
Take this seriously, and you will do just fine. Remember that you are smart and capable, and go succeed!
Davis Macke is a senior in the O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs.
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