I’m not going to lie. Writing a thesis is a LOT. At the beginning of the year, I had no idea how I was going to write 8,000 words about research that I was supposed to conduct myself. However, I am happy to report that I did in fact make it through. There is light at the end of the tunnel. For the rest of this post, I will outline a few pieces of advice for how YOU can make it through V491 and V499 alive, too.
When starting the thesis process, I spoke with my roommate and some friends that had completed the process the previous year. The very first piece of advice they gave me was to choose a topic I was really passionate about. They said that since it’s a year-long project, you’re going to get bored of your topic no matter what, but if you choose a topic that really interests you, you can slog through. For me, my topic of choice was pretty easy. I have a background in advocacy for queer youth, so I knew I wanted to choose a topic related to that. I ended up researching how queer youth relate to sources of representation in Indiana public high schools. If you’re struggling, it helps to think of your hobbies, educational interests, or personal experiences in another country, for example.
Another thing that will greatly help your writing and data collection is organization. This may seem self-explanatory, but when you are working with a large dataset, it can be easy to lose track of certain files. Personally, I conducted qualitative research, which consisted of twelve 30-ish minute interviews. I had a separate folder on Google Drive for all of my voice recordings, and for the transcriptions. Then, I had entirely different folders for writing and editing my thesis and the various drafts that came with that. I also used the NVivo software program on my laptop to code my data, which is notoriously old and glitchy. Therefore, I made sure I had a backup of all my data files in Google Drive. This proved useful because there was a period of about a week mid-data collection where I thought I had lost all of my progress with my analysis.
My third recommendation for those embarking on their thesis journey is to find a PhD student willing to help with their thesis in addition to their advisor. I worked with Shaun Khurana, who conducts qualitative research about trans youth in states that are outlawing gender-affirming care. Not only was he able to provide insight into my topic, but he also provided additional (and much needed) feedback and encouragement. I also entered the thesis process knowing virtually nothing about qualitative data collection or analysis, but Shaun met with me weekly and guided me through the process step-by-step. Faculty advisors are extremely helpful in the thesis process, but they often advise multiple projects at the same time or otherwise have a very busy schedule. PhD students can provide that extra bit of support and guidance that can bring your thesis from good to great.
My next piece of advice is to have other students that are in your 499 class or students that have already completed their thesis study with you. During my first writing session, my friend who had completed her thesis the previous year took me to Crumble Coffee, bought me a drink, and told me I was to only work on my thesis and that she was going to keep my accountable. If I picked up my phone, she would immediately notice and tell me to focus. Later, I would sometimes write with a friend who was taking 499 with me. Having people around you that have gone through or are going through the same process can allow you to not only commiserate but also keep each other accountable to make progress with your writing. Writing a lot is a daunting task no matter what but having support can make it more manageable.
Essentially, what you need to know is that you will get there if you put in the work and effort. You need to be willing to allocate several hours of your week (or even weekend) to data collection and writing. You have to be okay with practicing the same 15-minute presentation at the end of the semester over and over and over again. You have to learn how to incorporate constructive criticism to improve your work. Of course, you will be taught all of these skills by your V499 professor but be sure to approach the process with an open mind.
Zsófia Leary is a senior studying Law & Public Policy. After graduation, she will be attending NYU to earn an MPA with a concentration in social justice and advocacy. She is a passionate advocate for the rights of LGBTQIA+ youth. In their free time, they enjoy traveling the world, thrifting, listening to or performing music, and cuddling with her dog, Marley.
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