Dear Thesis Writers, A few months ago, I was in your position. I learned that when it comes to writing a long paper over the course of a few months, it can oftentimes be you versus you. Here are two strategies I used to trick myself into getting work done. These worked – I was… Read more »
Advice
Emily’s Declassified Thesis Survival Guide
I joined the O’Neill Honors program when I was a second semester freshman. I spent 5 semesters going to events and fulfilling my requirements for the program. However, it wasn’t until my senior year when I started V499 and V491 where I really felt the magic of the honors program. I met so many new… Read more »
4 Takeaways from my Thesis Process
Below are some tips that I learned over the course of writing my honors thesis. Though you will all have plenty of guidance from your professor and advisor, here are some things that I would have liked to hear when I was in your position. REALLY THINK THROUGH YOUR TOPIC One of the most important… Read more »
Pretend the Deadlines Are Always Yesterday
Close your eyes and imagine… it’s 11:58pm you are anxiously hovering over your laptop attempting to find the submission page for your assignment on Canvas. You just spent the last 3 hours frantically writing nonstop, with little to no time to reread or edit your work. You word-vomited 5,000 words onto the page. Phew, at… Read more »
What Am I Getting Myself Into?
The O’Neill honors program has been a fantastic way to develop my academic career here at Indiana University. I’ve had the opportunity to join special sections of IU courses, and meet people who are like me. I’ve also enjoyed the various events that O’Neill SPEA has put on over my four years here. However, I… Read more »
In 5 months, you’ll be thanking yourself for this!
As I read the syllabus for V499 back in August, I was filled with fear and doubt. The idea of writing an honors thesis was extremely overwhelming. I was fully convinced that this was going to be the hardest and most impossible task of my life. If these are the emotions that you are feeling,… Read more »
What I wish I knew before writing my thesis
Congrats! You’ve decided to write a thesis! While that may seem daunting, I hope my little bits of advice will help you relieve some of the big paper jitters and set you up for success to tackle this monumental paper. Picking a topic and sticking to it (or not). Picking a topic for your paper… Read more »
So You’ve Decided to Write an Honors Thesis
When I first joined the honors program and learned that I would one day have to write a thesis, I was absolutely terrified. It felt so unattainable at the time, as I knew nothing about conducting my own research. Yet now here I am with a completed thesis that I actually feel very proud of…. Read more »
Research Retrograde? It is okay if you feel like you are going backwards.
Writing an undergraduate honors thesis has more to do with Ptolemaic astronomy than you might guess. While I am not at liberty to discuss the full details (you will have to ask Prof. Baggetta to fully address the connection) I can tell you the connection comes down to one word: epicycles. The perfect time to… Read more »
Maximizing Connections (5 Step Checklist)
Hello fellow honors thesis writers. How strange to be on the advice giving end, and not the receiving end… First of all, if you are taking the time to read advice, you are on the great path to excellence! Keep pushing and it will pay off! My first bit of advice lies in that… Read more »