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O'Neill School Undergraduate Thesis Blog Indiana University Bloomington

Campus Antisemitism: How Ignorance, Not Just Ideology, Fuels Hostility

Posted on by rapplefi

Since October 7, 2023—when Hamas terrorists attacked Israel—antisemitic incidents on American college campuses have skyrocketed. In a survey conducted shortly after, over 73% of Jewish students reported witnessing or experiencing antisemitism. Much of this was arguably from pro-Palestinian protesters. While many protesters framed their actions as solidarity with Palestinians, Jewish students often faced exclusion, harassment, and threats, such as when they saw graffiti saying things like “Death to Zionists” and hostile demonstrations outside Jewish centers.

This alarming trend raises a troubling question: Are progressive spaces—often champions of marginalized communities—becoming breeding grounds for antisemitic rhetoric?

In my honors thesis, I explored the relationship between political ideology, knowledge about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and antisemitic attitudes among college students. What I found suggests a deeper problem than partisanship alone: lack of knowledge is a stronger predictor of antisemitism than political identity.

Understanding the Issue: Ignorance Is a Key Driver

Using the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of antisemitism, I surveyed 147 college students from a range of universities, asking about their political leanings, historical knowledge, and ability to recognize antisemitic slogans such as “From the River to the Sea” and “Globalize the Intifada.”

The survey results revealed:

  • Students with less knowledge about October 7 and Middle East history were more likely to endorse antisemitic ideas.

  • Progressive students, counter to my hypothesis, were slightly more likely to correctly recognize antisemitic rhetoric than conservative students, though both groups showed concerning gaps in knowledge.

  • Self-identification as progressive or conservative mattered less than basic contextual knowledge of events like October 7.

In other words, ignorance—not ideology—is the critical factor. Students who lacked a strong grasp of history were far more vulnerable to accepting antisemitic narratives embedded in activism slogans.

Key Finding: Awareness of what happened on October 7, 2023, was the strongest predictor of whether a student recognized antisemitic language.

What the Data Showed About Political Identity and Knowledge

To better understand what drives antisemitism awareness, I ran two sets of analyses. Both focused on whether students’ political identities or their actual knowledge of current events were associated with recognizing antisemitic rhetoric.

Across both models, the same patterns emerged:

  • Students with stronger knowledge of recent events, like the October 7 attacks, were far more likely to recognize antisemitic language.

  • Jewish students were also more likely to correctly identify antisemitic rhetoric, likely because of their personal connection to the issues.

  • How progressive or conservative a student said they were had a smaller influence — and in some cases, political self-labels mattered less than how much the student actually knew.

Interestingly, when students were evaluated based on their political beliefs across different social issues (rather than just how they labeled themselves), political identity had no statistical relationship with antisemitism awareness. In other words, knowing the facts was more important than where someone fell on the political spectrum.

These findings highlight a key takeaway:

It’s not political ideology that determines whether students recognize antisemitism — it’s how much they know about history and current events.

The Role of Performative Activism

The data suggest another problem beyond ignorance: performative activism.

Many students adopt the language of progressive movements without fully understanding the historical and political issues at stake. For example, slogans like “From the River to the Sea”—which calls for the destruction of Israel—were not recognized as antisemitic by more than half of survey participants. But they are used at protests, suggesting that people are repeating language they see and hear from other protesters, possibly without knowing the full meaning of what they are saying.

This performative approach allows antisemitic rhetoric to be normalized.

Implications: How Universities Can Respond

If lack of knowledge is the primary driver of antisemitic attitudes, universities must prioritize education over ideological policing.

Recommended actions include:

  • Mandatory seminars for student leaders on the history of antisemitism and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict

  • Increased media literacy training to help students critically analyze activist slogans and narratives

  • Inclusive DEI initiatives that recognize Jewish identity and Zionism as integral to conversations about minority rights

Conclusion

Campus antisemitism is not a product of one political ideology. It thrives where there is ignorance, shallow activism, and a failure to understand history. To truly stand for justice, progressive spaces must ensure they do not inadvertently reproduce ancient biases under new banners.

Change begins with education—and a willingness to confront uncomfortable truths about our own movements

Rachel Applefield is a senior at Indiana University’s O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs, majoring in Law and Public Policy with a minor in Social Welfare Advocacy. Her research focuses on the intersection of political ideology, antisemitism, and misinformation in campus environments. Rachel will be attending the Indiana University Maurer School of Law as a JD candidate starting Fall 2025.

How National Politics Are Reshaping Local Elections: Lessons from Indianapolis

Posted on by alexamad

Image from the 2023 Indianapolis Mayoral Debate, Joe Hogsett (D) (left), Jefferson Shreve (R) (right) 

When you think about a local election, such as your city’s mayoral race, you might expect candidates to focus on fixing potholes, improving public transportation, or making neighborhoods safer. But increasingly, local campaigns are starting to sound more like national political debates. 

In my thesis, I examined the 2023 mayoral race in Indianapolis to understand how national politics are influencing local elections. My findings reflect a growing trend: local campaigns are becoming “nationalized,” and that shift may carry serious implications for how we govern our cities. 

During the summer of 2023, I interned with the Indianapolis Mayor’s Office and witnessed firsthand how national issues were shaping local political conversations. The office received calls from across Indiana, many concerning topics like abortion and gun control. These issues are largely outside a mayor’s control, yet they were clearly top of mind for constituents. These interactions revealed how deeply national debates are resonating with voters, even at the local level. 

Indianapolis, a Democratic stronghold in a predominantly Republican state, presents a unique case for studying political polarization. The city’s liberal electorate often clashes with the state’s Republican supermajority, creating a dynamic environment where both parties have strong incentives to invoke national political narratives. 

The 2023 mayoral race featured Democratic incumbent Joe Hogsett and Republican challenger Jefferson Shreve. I analyzed a range of campaign materials—including tweets, emails, and advertisements—using qualitative analysis software to explore how each candidate framed key issues and what emotional tone they used in their messaging. 

My research focused on three central questions: 

  1. Are candidates more likely to nationalize high-profile issues like gun control and abortion? 
  1. Do Republican candidates nationalize local issues more often than Democrats? 
  1. Is negative messaging more common when candidates use nationalized framing? 

The results reveal some clear patterns. First, nationalized framing was especially common on hot-button issues like abortion, gun violence, and DEI. For example, 46% of Hogsett’s campaign messages on public safety included national framing—compared to just 19% for Shreve. These topics were often tied to national party positions rather than city-specific policy plans. 

Second, contrary to my original expectations, the Democrat—Joe Hogsett—used nationalized framing far more often than the Republican candidate. Overall, 39% of Hogsett’s campaign messaging included national themes, compared to just 14% for Shreve. Hogsett’s strategy often tied Shreve to national Republican positions on gun control or abortion, especially in video ads and emails. 

Third, nationalized messaging was more likely to carry a negative tone. While localized messages were more likely to highlight city improvements or propose practical solutions, nationalized messages were often used to attack the opponent. For instance, 71% of Hogsett’s video ads included nationalized framing, and over half of those were negative in tone. In contrast, Shreve’s video ads were 94% local in focus and mostly positive. 

Why It Matters 

At first glance, it may not seem problematic for local candidates to discuss national issues. But nationalizing local campaigns can have real consequences. When candidates campaign on issues beyond their control, voters may develop unrealistic expectations. A mayor cannot change federal gun laws or alter abortion policy, but if a campaign focuses on these topics, voters may expect action. When that action doesn’t follow, trust in local government can erode.  

Nationalization also increases outside influence. As national issues dominate local campaigns, out-of-state donors and political action committees become more involved. This kind of influence puts pressure on candidates to align with national platforms, even when those agendas don’t reflect the specific needs of their city. Another concern is the growing involvement of national political figures in local politics. Former President Trump and others have directly criticized city leaders, pushing them to fall in line with national priorities. That scrutiny can make local leaders more loyal to their party’s national stance than to pragmatic, community-based problem solving.  

What’s Next? 

Indianapolis is not alone. Cities across the United States are experiencing similar shifts. As national political battles continue to shape local campaigns, it’s more important than ever for voters, journalists, and scholars to ask whether candidates are addressing local concerns or simply echoing national narratives.  

Future research should examine other cities and election cycles to see whether these patterns persist. It would also be valuable to understand how voters respond to nationalized campaigns. Do they feel more motivated to vote, or more disillusioned by the lack of local focus?  

At a time when trust in government is low and political polarization is high, the nationalization of local elections could either energize civic participation or make it harder for cities to address the everyday challenges they face. Local elections are meant to focus on fixing streets, keeping neighborhoods safe, and ensuring public services run well. If campaigns lose sight of those goals, the effectiveness of local governance and the well-being of communities could suffer. 

Maddie Alexander is a senior in the O’Neill Honors Program studying Law and Public Policy. Prior to writing her thesis on the nationalization of local elections, she interned with the Indianapolis Mayors Office in 2023 and spent the Spring semester of 2024 in Washington DC interning for the House of Representatives. Her field experience inspired her thesis exploration of how national issues are creeping into local elections. After graduation, she is attending The Indiana University Maurer School of Law. 

Change Your Topic. No, Seriously.

Posted on by Reese Wiley

Since my freshman year at Indiana University, I anticipated being part of the O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs’ Honors Program. Once accepted, I was thrilled that I would be able to take on a thesis and start exploring a new topic. However, what I didn’t expect was how daunting the task of writing a thesis would be, especially during the most formative and challenging time of both my undergraduate career and, quite frankly, my life.

I went into the process thinking I’d choose a topic that had interested me during my time studying abroad, specifically, sexual assault rates on transportation within the United Kingdom. I was excited to take on this topic because I thought it would be interesting enough to engage myself during the process, interest law school admissions committees when reading my application, and keep the attention of my audience when I did eventually present. 

While I knew that the writing itself would take work, I don’t think I fully understood how much effort outside of just writing this project would demand. I quickly learned that an honors thesis isn’t just about answering a research question; it’s about defining one that has real consequences, that hits home, and that reflects the ever-changing world that we are currently living in. That’s a much harder assignment than just picking something “interesting.” 

Our country and our politics have been shifting at a pace that’s hard to keep up with. However, their effects are immediate and have impacted people and communities tremendously. I didn’t anticipate writing my thesis on a highly political and controversial issue. I didn’t want to ruffle any feathers or have classmates think of me one way or the other by assuming my political affiliation. Once President Donald Trump was elected for his second term in November of 2024, that changed. 

Like many Americans, the day after the election was one that felt like mourning. In the morning, I sat staring at my phone, wondering how our country could have possibly condoned the return of a president who dramatically changed our nation during his first term, let alone someone who has been convicted of tremendously disgusting acts against women in particular. I grieved that day. 

That day felt familiar, like I had experienced it before. When I was reflecting on the election results and the amount of chaos that happened under the first Trump term, I was reminded of the mourning I felt in June of 2022, when Roe v. Wade was overturned. The next week, in the midst of starting my thesis on my prior topic, I went to my professor and decided to scrap my original idea completely. I was going to focus on something that mattered, both to me and all women around our country. 

Writing about such a controversial issue, like abortion, wasn’t a walk in the park. There were days I felt overwhelmed, not just by the amount of information, but by the emotional weight of it. I wasn’t just writing about laws or court decisions. I was writing about real people, real consequences, and a very real violation of rights. However, overcoming this overwhelming feeling was when I had a breakthrough. 

My thesis became more than a graduation or Honors Program requirement, it became a way for me to process what was happening around me, how I felt about it all, and start a crucial conversation about the attack on women that is still going on around our nation. 

I say all this not to scare anyone off from writing a thesis. Yes, it’s hard. Yes, it’s a lot of work. But it’s also worth it. My journey was far from linear, and there were plenty of moments when I wasn’t sure I’d finish at all (just ask my thesis advisor). But I did. And looking back, I’m not just proud of the final product, but also of the decision to write something that mattered.

If you’re starting a thesis with the O’Neill Honors Program and you’re unsure about your topic, here’s my honest advice: unless it’s your life’s work, don’t be afraid to change it. Let your heart drive you towards something that lights your soul on fire. Writing a thirty-page paper and spending over a year researching a topic that doesn’t get you excited will get you the Honors Distinction, but will it challenge you?

Take the risk and change your topic. 

Reese Wiley is from Indianapolis, Indiana. She studied Law and Public Policy at the O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs. In the fall of 2025, she will be attending Maurer Law School to pursue her Juris Doctor. Her thesis topic was about the intersection of interstate travel on reproductive care in a post-Dobbs world.

Key to Thesis Stress: Be Succinct and Clear

Posted on by junfguo

The thesis was not stressful because of the amount that I had to do but due to the amount of words and data I had. If you are a person who usually is over the word-count on papers, you probably will be for this thesis too. I thought there was no way I would have enough to fill a 10,000 word research paper, but lo and behold I wrote double the word count and didn’t even notice until the a few months in.

If you know you are an extensive writer, calibrate your research in the beginning. For example, if you are planning on analyzing six different cycles in a program, and just the first cycle’s data and analysis takes you to 2,000 words, perhaps cut back on the amount you are studying or the depth you are analyzing. Though it is usually better to have more than less data, it would save a lot of time to figure out how much you are writing about each piece early on.

Furthermore, I often found that my language was too flowy for a research paper, and cutting down on the filler words for more succinct language helped get more data and research in. I had a lot of research to fit in, so the more I kept what I was saying direct and to-the-point, the more my research was clear and informative.

Another area where succinctness is important is with the data. The actual research portion of the thesis is tedious, and often we want to show off how smart all of our hard work is through complicated wording, graphs, charts, regressions, extensive numbers, and symbols. However, it is important to remember that one of the main points of research is being able to communicate our findings. When I took away all the complicated wording and symbols surrounding my numbers and distilled it into a simple chart that had the basic data that was needed to communicate the core of the research, not only was my data more understandable to other people, but I also digested my research better. It made my conclusion jump out more, seeing it in simple and clear formats instead of buried in an analysis.

Though I thought all of my numbers and all of my explanations were important, they really aren’t for the average reader. As this thesis is being read by a plethora of people, including many people who have no subject expertise on the topic we are writing on, it’s important to remember to make things clear by diluting the information into a digestible format such as a chart. While listening to people’s presentations, I really wasn’t understanding the symbols on their regression tables, rather I was looking at the big red or green up and down arrows. It’s important to have the details in the paper, but the main core parts must also be present in a clear manner.

Sophie Guo is a senior at Indiana University studying Law and Public Policy at the O’Neill School of Public and  Environmental Affairs and Criminal Justice in the College of Arts and Sciences. She is attending law school in the fall.

Writing a Thesis When You’re Overwhelmed

Posted on by shsdesai

Writing a thesis is not what I expected. I thought it would feel exciting, like doing something meaningful. And sometimes it did. But most of the time, it just felt really heavy and it honestly made me really anxious. Even the thought of starting to write it and plan it out stressed me out because I am such a perfectionist. I cared about doing it well, but I also didn’t want to do it at all.

I kept waiting to be “ready.” I thought I needed to have the perfect idea or a perfect outline before I could start writing. But you’re never going to feel ready. Just start. Even if it’s messy. Even if it doesn’t make sense yet. It’s better to have something you can fix than to sit in silence for weeks because you’re scared it won’t be good.

There were days when I felt really tired and unmotivated, but every time I pushed off working on my thesis, my anxiety only got worse. I had to sit down and write anyway. If you wait until you feel inspired, you will never finish. The truth is, the more you avoid it, the worse it feels. Even just writing a paragraph helps you feel less stuck.

I didn’t always know how to ask for help. But when I finally did — whether it was asking someone to read over a section, talk through an idea with me, it made everything feel more manageable.Even your professors or friends can help edit your paper and give you suggestions.

I didn’t realize how emotionally and mentally draining it would be to write something this big. It wasn’t just about the research, it was also about staying focused, trying to sound smart, managing self-doubt, and pushing through when I felt like giving up. So give yourself credit. It’s not easy. Don’t expect yourself to work at full capacity every day.

I also spent too much time rereading sentences that didn’t matter. I cared so much about how it sounded that I kept rewriting things before finishing a full section. That was a mistake. Just write what you’re trying to say. Fix it later. You’ll probably revise it a hundred times anyway. Clarity matters more than trying to sound academic.

There were times I felt guilty resting because I hadn’t written enough. But when I tried to push through exhaustion, I just got more burnt out. Sometimes you need to step away. You’ll write better when your brain isn’t foggy and your body isn’t drained. Sometimes it is better to just let it be for a little while and come back to it when you are feeling better!

I was also pretty nervous that I would not finish my thesis, but of course I did, even if it was really messy. There were moments I thought I wouldn’t. I kept thinking I was behind or that everyone else had it figured out. But most people feel the same way. Everyone’s tired. Everyone’s stressed. Everyone questions if their research is good enough. That’s normal!

Shailey Desai is a senior at Indiana University’s O’Neill School, studying International Policy and Development. Her thesis explores secondhand clothing trade policy and fast fashion dumping in Ghana and Tanzania. She wrote it during the hardest year of her life and is still here.

Be Confident in Yourself, Your Writing, and Your Research!

Posted on by sydcbens

Without a doubt, your time with the O’Neill Honors Program will feel like a roller coaster. At times you will feel discouraged, empowered, inspired, and humbled. Sometimes, you will want to quit because there are other things you’d rather spend your time doing. Many of these negative feelings will come during high-stress times, such as data-analysis deadlines and draft submission deadlines. The best way to mitigate these feelings is to take a deep breath and to be confident in yourself.

Before we get into the specifics of the Honors Program, I want you to think back on how far you have come. Since high school graduation, you have challenged yourself in so many ways. You were accepted into the O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs and have committed to leading for the greater good. You have enrolled in classes that are designed to challenge your critical thinking and leadership skills. In addition to your academic achievements, you’ve likely participated in other extracurriculars and have volunteered for different organizations. You DID that! You should be proud of those achievements, no matter how small they might seem. And remember, the O’Neill Honors Program is invitation-based. You wouldn’t have been invited to participate in the program if the faculty and staff who organize and run the Honors Program didn’t believe you could complete the program’s requirements.

When you take the final course of the Honors Program, you will likely be assigned a couple of readings from the book Writing for Social Scientists by Howard S. Becker. To state it plainly, DO THESE READINGS. Although you might think you know what you’re going to face over the course of the semester, these readings perfectly reflect the process of writing an undergraduate thesis. Additionally, these readings serve as a reminder that there is no correct way to write a thesis. Your writing process should be tailored to your needs and constructed in a way that gives you the most confidence.

Throughout your writing, you will be asked to submit drafts to your peers, advisor, and external readers. To ensure you remind confident and encouraged, remember that it is okay to have a “bad” draft. That, my friend, is why it is called a rough draft. Nobody has ever written a perfect first draft. Chances are, you will not be the first, so it is important to take advantage of peer-reviews to produce a final product that you can be proud of and have confidence in.

The final piece of advice I have for you concerns presenting your thesis to your peers and faculty. Public speaking can be extremely nerve-wracking. To ensure you are confident on presentation day, begin creating your presentation slides well before you are scheduled to present in class. By doing so, you will put yourself in a position in which you can receive the most substantive feedback from your peers. In turn, this will help your official presentation go smoothly. It is especially important to be confident in your abilities when preparing your oral presentation. Have confidence in your research and do not memorize a script. Remember, you are the author of your thesis. You know exactly what you’ve included in your literature review, methods section, data analysis, and recommendations. You do not need a script to guide you through your own thesis. Be confident in your final product.

By the end of this journey, you should feel confident in your ability to overcome challenges and commit to something bigger than yourself. You will be able to reflect on this experience as you enter your career and encounter challenges along the way. You are capable of accomplishing difficult tasks, and you should be proud of that!

 

Sydney Benson is a senior majoring in Law and Public Policy and minoring in Homeland Security at the O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs. She plans on taking a year after graduation to complete internships. Eventually, she plans on attending law school with a special interest in criminal law and juvenile justice.

Writing Thesis: Let your curiosity lead the way!

Posted on by ywu9

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.

You Can Do Hard Things! Write a Thesis! 

Posted on by alexamad

For students in the honors program preparing to write their thesis, brace yourself for the work. This was the most time-consuming yet most rewarding project I have worked on in my undergraduate career. Stick with it even when it feels like you are lacking motivation and momentum, the work pays off. Here are a few things I want to emphasize that allowed me to cross the finish line: 

1. Build a relationship with your advisor 

Find an advisor who is passionate about the work you are doing and meet regularly. I was lucky enough to find an advisor that genuinely cared about the work I was doing and had the capacity to provide support every step of the way.  

My advisor and I had a set meeting time every week. Although sometimes it felt like I was making little progress week by week, this routine held me accountable and allowed me to develop a relationship with my advisor where I felt comfortable being candid about my progress. Forcing myself to check-in with my progress weekly allowed for more brainstorming, leading to greater adaptability and consistency in my study. 

2. Start Building Your Study Early

One of the things I appreciated most about V-491 was the creative freedom and flexibility it offered. That said, I cannot emphasize enough how important time is in this process. I spent most of the first semester brainstorming, and I didn’t begin actually conducting my study until January during V-499. Looking back, I wish I had started building sooner. 

Your first draft or idea doesn’t need to be perfect and honestly; it probably won’t be. That’s okay. Time is your greatest asset. Starting early gives you the breathing room to make mistakes, revise your approach, and refine your work as you go. Dive in headfirst and do not be afraid to make mistakes; the earlier the better. Exercise patience and be prepared for minor setbacks, everything will come together eventually. 

3. Don’t Be Afraid to Try Something New

Designing my study was one of the most challenging parts of the thesis experience, mainly because my topic hadn’t been explored in the way I wanted to approach it. That uncertainty made the process feel daunting at first, but it also opened the door for real innovation. By the end, I was proud of the fact that my study design was original and contributed something meaningful to the field. 

Creating a study from the ground up required me to be fully invested. I had to oversee the entire process, evaluate what was working, and adjust where needed. That level of ownership made the final product incredibly rewarding. 

Now, on the other side of my thesis, I can say with full confidence: it was worth it. The rigor of the process taught me a lot about myself as a student. I tapped into creativity when designing the study, adaptability when navigating limitations in my data, and accountability when managing deadlines across the year. 

If you want your thesis to feel worth it in the end, choose a topic and design that genuinely interests you. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes, take risks, or go in a direction no one has before, especially if it means your work will be meaningful to you. 

Maddie Alexander is a senior in the O’Neill Honors Program studying Law and Public Policy. Prior to writing her thesis on the nationalization of local elections, she interned with the Indianapolis Mayors Office in 2023 and spent the Spring semester of 2024 in Washington DC interning for the House of Representatives. Her field experience inspired her thesis exploration of how national issues are creeping into local elections. After graduation, she is attending The Indiana University Maurer School of Law.  

Thesis Season: Train Smart, Finish Strong

Posted on by Chelsie Lindauer

Growing up, I always loved sports. Whether it was soccer, volleyball, or tennis, I always wanted to be out playing on the field. But what I loved most about sports was the routine, structure, and discipline it took to push through when things got hard. Now, after completing my thesis, I see how these traits and skills carried me through each stage of the writing process. Writing your thesis is a grueling, overwhelming process that spans nearly a quarter of your time at IU. There’s no instant feedback like a game or a tennis match has. The success is from continued and consistent efforts, not small bursts. 

My biggest takeaway? You can’t cram a thesis. It’s a marathon, not a sprint, and building a structure around that helped me stay focused and finish strong.

1. Pre-Season

In sports, you can’t go without preparing and training all year long. The same goes for your thesis. Utilize V491 as the pre-season to your “final thesis season”. The resources and activities that guide you to choosing a topic you are interested in, passionate about, and that is achievable are necessary for a successful time in V499. I advise you to set up a rough schedule with yourself even before you begin writing your thesis proposal, and really ensure that you have all of your ducks in a row. For me, this was three checkpoints throughout the V491 semester: a topic, an advisor, and some data. The last thing you want to worry about is whether or not there is even accessible data on the topic you’re interested in. I used my Google Calendar to set clear days that I wanted to have my data selected by and times that I was going to focus solely on reading literature around my topic. You’ll hear this piece of advice over and over again, but it really does set you up for success.

2. Mid-Season Training Cycle

The three months in the middle of your V499 semester might feel like an eternity. And honestly, even then, it is not long enough. Consistency and balance throughout the writing process are key. Setting up a weekly to bi-weekly meeting with your advisor allows you to have a consistent check-in to make sure you stay on track. I was extremely lucky to have an advisor who was not only knowledgeable in the field but also accessible to me at all times. We set one specific time to meet every other week, which worked well to establish goals and checklist items that I needed to have done ahead of time before we met. From there, I was also able to build time into my schedule and routine to work on different aspects of the thesis and check in with myself each Sunday to set specific deadlines.

3. Injury Prevention

One of my biggest regrets throughout the thesis process was not taking advantage of all of the resources available to me. I can’t tell you how many hours and days I spent trying to navigate Stata, build a working dataset, or even understand the meaning behind my data. But, I refused to take the help offered to me from the TAs, library resources, and previous V499 students. I stretched myself thin and found myself in a deep hole as the final deadlines approached. Take advantage of all that the honors program has to offer and prevent yourself from being in that same situation. You never realize what you have until it’s gone.

4. Game Day

The time has come. The big game, the event everyone has been waiting for: your final manuscript. I would be naive if I did not admit to you that I was stressed beyond measure before submitting my final draft. But that is normal, and you’re going to feel it too. This thesis is not the end of the world, but rather the beginning of your research journey. So celebrate your victories, enjoy your final days as a part of the O’Neill Honors community, and brag all about your thesis – you’ve earned it!

 

Chelsie Lindauer is a senior honors student at the O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs studying Policy Analysis. After graduating, she will continue her education at the O’Neill School earning her Master’s of Public Affairs with concentrations in Nonprofit Management and Information Systems.

Reaching the Other Side of the Mountain: A Guide to Thesis Success

Posted on by daschutt

 

As you’re reading this, you’re likely imagining the metaphorical mountain of work that stands before you: a daunting, unclear journey ahead. Yet, the journey to the other side of this mountain will soon be one in which you will gain valuable experience in research, writing, organization, time management, and so much more, all of which will be invaluable as you apply for internships, full-time careers, graduate school, or in my case, law school. Each rocky impasse you encounter will teach you lessons you can draw upon for the rest of your career, no matter which field you enter. 

Now, to manage the intimidating task ahead of you, I give you three pieces of advice that I wish I had known before embarking on this journey. As someone who has completed the hike to the other side of the mountain, I hope that you, as the reader, take my advice earnestly, but only take what may be beneficial for you.

1. Enjoy the Climb

This project will likely be the longest you have undertaken during your time as an undergraduate student. In navigating this immensity of this work, I highly advise you to take your time to enjoy the process; there is simply no need to rush to the summit. To do this, plan ahead. It is equally crucial to understand the challenges you may face outside of your thesis as it is the challenges you may face in completing your thesis. Make sure to consider planning ahead for time-consuming commitments such as other difficult classes or applying to full-time positions, graduate school, or law school. Instead of doing a back-to-back sequence of V491 and V499, I took a semester in between so that I could spend ample time applying to law school, and I would overwhelmingly recommend you do the same, if applicable. Not only did this enable me to focus on law school admissions, but it also enabled me to spread my data collection and analysis over a longer period of time. 

2. Set Up Base Camps

The task ahead is most definitely daunting, but subdividing the larger objective into smaller goals can help make the project feel more manageable. These goals do not have to be large by any means. For example, it could simply be getting a preliminary research question. A goal of any size is still a milestone that can be celebrated. Celebrating these milestones, no matter how big or small, will help keep you motivated as you complete these projects. Without base camps, the thesis journey can feel like one endless uphill battle; you risk burning out or losing direction. But with clear milestones, each step gives you a sense of progress and keeps you motivated.

3. Use your Guides

Even the most experienced hikers utilize guides when the trail is challenging. Using your advisors, mentors, writing groups, or other professors is no different. The great thing about Indiana University, and O’Neill in particular, is the willingness of professors to help. I recommend utilizing not only your paired advisor but also reaching out to previous professors, graduate students, or others who may be of assistance as you complete your thesis. After all, the worst they can say is no, or not respond to your email. In my thesis, I had to navigate numerous econometric challenges. To overcome these hurdles, I reached out to my previous econometric professors, and they were able to help me tremendously. Never be afraid to reach out for help and utilize your guides!

The Summit Is Real: You Will Get There

Reaching the summit of your thesis journey may feel impossibly far at times, especially during the steepest, rockiest, and most uncertain segments. But remember: the summit is real, and many have stood where you now stand and have since made it to the top. Your progress, no matter how slow or uneven, is movement upward. With every page you write, every revision you complete, and every doubt you overcome, you are climbing toward the summit. Keep your eyes on the peak, trust in yourself, and know this: finishing a thesis is not just possible—it’s within your reach.

Dylan Schutte is a graduating senior studying Policy Analysis, Economics and Quantitative Methods, and Political Science. During his time at Indiana University, Dylan was a Cox Civic Scholar, an intern with the City of Bloomington Department of Housing and Neighborhood Development and the Indiana Department of Revenue, a member of the Indiana University Student Government, and an Indiana University Student Ambassador. After graduation, Dylan will attend the University of Virginia School of Law to pursue his Juris Doctor. 

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