Let’s face it. Writing a thesis is a huge undertaking. It requires time, effort, and hard work that will likely challenge you in ways you have not yet experienced as an undergraduate student. But at the end of the process, the feeling of pride and witnessing your achievement come to life is more than worth the work it takes to get there. As I look back (fondly) on my experience in the O’Neill Honors Program, I have compiled a list of my five biggest pieces of advice to guide you through this process.
1. Follow your passion when choosing a topic
It sounds obvious, maybe even a little cheesy, but it’s true. Pick a topic you are passionate about, and the work won’t feel like work at all (maybe that’s a stretch, but the work will at least be a lot more interesting!). The best thing about the Honors Thesis program is how much freedom there is in choosing what to write about. My fellow classmates wrote about topics ranging from environmental concerns to voter apathy, to combating food insecurity, and everything in between. The sky is truly the limit when it comes to choosing a topic, but you will spend more time researching that topic than you ever have before, so it is incredibly important to pick one that you will retain an interest in throughout two semesters.
2. Establish good time management skills early on
Though the thesis writing process is split into two semesters, time truly flies by, especially in semester 2 when you are writing the actual paper. In the first semester, I recommend creating good time management skills to get you used to setting aside time for your thesis. This could look like a small amount of time each day researching your topic, working on the literature review, or anything that has to do with the thesis process. By getting into a regular routine of working on the thesis, you will set yourself up for success when the writing process begins.
3. Schedule regular meetings with your advisor
Your advisor is truly your best friend throughout this process. I was extremely fortunate to have an advisor who was very communicative, available, and generous with her time dedicated to supporting my thesis. At the beginning of the semester, we set up weekly check-in meetings. Sometimes these meetings lasted close to an hour, sometimes closer to 15 minutes, but either way we had a solidified time every week. This system worked very well because each meeting allowed me to set goals for the week ahead, keeping me on track throughout the semester. Plus, weekly meetings meant I had the time and space to ask my advisor questions and have her review my work. Whatever frequency works for you and your advisor will work just fine, but I highly recommend setting up a regular time slot.
4. Create a writing schedule…and stick to it!
This is one of those “do as I say, not as I do” pieces of advice. My SPEA-V499 professor had us create writing schedules at the beginning of the writing process, and I so wish I actually stuck to mine. Instead, I ended up having to spend hours on end researching, writing, and revising days (or in some cases, hours) before deadlines, and this prevented me from returning to my paper with a fresh mind. I highly suggest creating a realistic writing schedule that allows you to break up the work into smaller daily or weekly portions.
5. Remember that balance is key
This tip is possibly my most important. Yes, your thesis is incredibly important, and yes, you want to produce high quality work. But balance is so important to prevent burn out. For many thesis-writers, you are in your junior or senior year of college, and you want to spend time with your friends, making memories and enjoying your last year or two on campus. Maybe you have a part-time job, or other obligations that take up some of your time. These are all equally as important as any academic task. Remember to breathe, take a step back when you need to, and allow your body and mind the chance to take a break. This will allow for better work when you are tuned in, and a much better experience overall.
You have all of the skills and tools necessary to complete your honors thesis. Remember that you deserve to be here, and you will absolutely succeed. Good luck from this point forward, and know that past O’Neill Honors students are always here to support you.
Laura Stancato is a senior honors student at the Indiana University O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs studying Law and Public Policy. Next year, she will attend IU’s Maurer School of Law to pursue her J.D. and a career in public interest law.
Leave a Reply