Congratulations on taking the steps to complete this honors thesis! I recently completed this journey, so I’d like to impart some key takeaways that helped me make the absolute most of it. I hope they’re helpful to you as well.
Above all, let your curiosity lead the way. You will be working with your subject for a long time—reading dozens of articles, sharpening your argument, gathering data, conducting analyses, and rewriting drafts repeatedly. When you work on something in which you have no real curiosity, it is going to be an effort. When you work with your curiosity, the effort is transformed into pleasure. My thesis contrasted how young adults in the United States and China view wildfire risks, as well as what social and cultural influences motivate them. I have always been interested in how different societies respond to environmental dilemmas, and the more I dug in, the more I found myself invested. That curiosity propelled me through the obstacles I encountered and helped the project turn out something I could be proud of. Don’t worry, then about your subject fitting exactly within your major. Worry instead about whether your subject gets you excited enough to work with it for several months.
Second, if graduation in three years is your goal, consider very carefully your timetable, and work in close consultation with your professors and advisor right from the start. Graduating early is doable, but it’s stressful. You have less time to test out ideas, and everything from core courses to job applications to your thesis seems to stack up all at once. I knew this when I first began, so I made sure to establish a foundation with my advisor early. She not only guided me in narrowing down the focus of my investigation and refining my methods, but she also helped keep me on track when semesters were hectic. The sooner you start meeting with potential advisors and mentors, the better. Don’t wait until your first semester of V491 before establishing that relationship. Writing your thesis can be isolating, and having a quality advisor makes all the difference.
Finally, realize that this thesis experience is worth so much more than that little line on your résumé. It’s one of the only times in your college experience when you will have the opportunity to create an entire academic article from start to finish – from developing your question through presenting your results. You will learn how to work on your own, how to organize an intricate argument, how to revise with care, and how to cite accurately. These aren’t just school-related skills—they’re invaluable in any profession that involves writing, analysis, or critical thought. When you deliver in V499, you’ll be amazed at how much you have developed. I certainly was.
So, if you’re on the fence about doing the thesis, I say go for it. Remain curious, prioritize planning, work with your advisor, and have faith in the process. You can do more than you even know, and you’re going to do some amazing things.
Yangzheng Wu is a Junior who majors in Environmental Management and minor in Economics. He finished his undergraduate in three years and plans to pursue a master degree in environmental fields after graduating from Indiana University-Bloomington.
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