In late August of last year, as I began my senior year at IU, I nearly quit the O’Neill Honors Program. Staring down the barrel of writing a research thesis on top of balancing other coursework, extracurriculars, and trying to enjoy my last year in Bloomington, I was filled with trepidation and doubt. I’m not a researcher, I thought. I don’t even want to go to grad school. What’s the point? After the first week of classes, I was ready to throw in the towel.
The reason I didn’t quit? I couldn’t swallow my pride. I refused to admit that there was an academic achievement I couldn’t attain. So, begrudgingly, I stuck with it. And I couldn’t be more grateful that I did.
If you’re having similar feelings of doubt or uncertainty at the beginning of the thesis writing process, let me be the first to say that your feelings are completely normal. This is probably the biggest project you’ve ever undertaken, and that’s a daunting prospect, especially if you don’t have much research experience under your belt. When it seems like these doubts are going to get the best of you, take a moment to remember who you are. You’re an honors student in one of the best Public and Environmental Affairs schools in the country- that alone is a tremendous achievement. Take pride in that fact! It doesn’t matter how much experience you have with your research topic or the methods you pick. You are in this program for a reason, and you can do this.
Once you’ve fully immersed yourself in the process, when your research question is cemented and you’re starting to collect your data, you’re going to come up against roadblocks. There will be challenges and unexpected surprises along the way, and that doubt may rear its head again. There will also be times when you feel like you are drowning in deadlines and expectations. During these challenging moments, it’s important that you keep your eye on the prize and your nose to the grindstone. Whether that means setting aside several hours to get some writing done or delving into the data analysis you’ve been dreading, keep pushing yourself and your manuscript forward. Don’t forget the importance of momentum, either. When you break through a challenge or meet a big deadline, capitalize on that energy to keep going, and soon you won’t be able to stop crossing items off your to-do list.
There are many great tools and resources to have at your disposal as you navigate the thesis writing process, but I believe that the most important is passion. Especially if you’re feeling hesitant about the process in any way, the best method of assuaging those uncertainties is by injecting passion into every part of the process. Pick a research question that you can talk about for days. Find an advisor who inspires and motivates you with every meeting and conversation. Seek out data and results that make you excited. If you feel passionate about the research you are conducting and the work you are doing, then even when doubt comes to whisper in your ear, the refusal to quit comes much easier.
Despite the early challenges of my own thesis writing journey and my initial desire to quit, I am so grateful that I persevered. I could not be prouder of the final work I produced. If you are experiencing similar thoughts or feelings, I promise you that in the end, you will be amazed at how much you have accomplished, and you will be glad you didn’t quit either.
Rachel Petersson is a senior at the O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs.
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