Writing a thesis on quantitative analysis testing as a first timer is not for the faint of heart. My work brought me many restless nights toiling away in the lobby of my apartment complex, and many groggy mornings with my Chromebook in my lap. Much of my time was spent just trying to think about how I was going to complete tasks and follow deadlines rather than actually working to achieve them. In short, I was faced with a great challenge and was in turn challenged. Hopefully any tips I can provide will help you navigate through the many challenges to overcome as you write your thesis.
Utilize Time Spent in 491 to Collect Data and Literature!
This tip is one I at least halfway followed. I had collected all of my data while I was in SPEA-V 491, but I did not take collecting literature for a proper literature review seriously. This cost me a lot of time on the back-end collecting sources when I needed to be analyzing my data and writing other sections of the paper. The name of the game in the thesis writing process is: “Play now, suffer later.”
Manage Your Coursework, and Don’t Bite Off More Than You Can Chew!
This past semester was very hectic due to not following this piece of advice! I was told by those around me that 19 credit hours were simply too many, and that I should drop a class. I doubled down, and completed all of my classes and the thesis, but it definitely has taken its toll. Add on the matters of personal life, health, finances, and all other things we must consider as students and human beings, and you have a recipe for no free time and a caffeine dependency.
Find New Ways to Stay Focused on the Paper
In the beginning of the thesis writing process, working from home on my couch was a fine location to do my work. Over time however, it is easy to find ways to procrastinate in such a space. Suddenly, I would go from writing my literature review to doing dishes, folding laundry, or sweeping the floor. What I failed to realize until later on was that I needed a new working environment to spice up the process and reduce distractions.
While not always the easiest process, learning how to write an academic paper feels like such an accomplishment, and is a valuable skill if you consider moving onward to graduate school. I look back on the many hours I spent organizing sources, analyzing data, and writing each section of my paper, and I feel proud of my resolve during a hectic time in life. Even more than this though, I realize how much easier I could have made things for myself. While it’s too late for me now, as my battle to a 6,000 word manuscript is now complete, I hope that my thoughts can provide some insight into the process of writing a larger text.
Kain Eller is a senior at the O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs.
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