How I did it: It took me a long time to decide on a topic that I was actually deeply interested in.  Once decided, it was difficult for me to work with the program, as it was new and they didn't have a reliable system for how things would be handled and we both had issues with each other.  As a result, I lost all motivation to continue a few months in.  A year or so later, it was do or die time (deadline in order to graduate loomed near) so I decided to go all in.  I took time off of work and spent weeks organizing all the information I had so eagerly gathered a year before.  Eventually, I just had to start writing.  I would write and write, take a few days off, go back and rewrite, over and over and over.  At some point I actually finished.

Then came the revisions from advisors.  This was harder to bear, but I found a way to push through it, despite all the times I was "just done with it." 

Lessons & tips: Outlines are a must.  Tagging and labeling articles, quotes, and important facts is key to keeping things organized and at a moment's reach when an idea pops into your head (and you don't want to lose those ideas when you finally have them!).  Send copies to your advisors as quickly as possible so they can keep you on the right path before you veer too far off.

Try not to take their notes and suggestions too much to heart, it can be discouraging to be told you are wrong, and you will find yourself yelling at a red mark, "This guy doesn't know what he's talking about," but it's very possible he does, so give him the benefit of the doubt and try it his way.

Take breaks!  Sometimes the best thing you can do is nothing for a little while (just not too long!).

Resources: MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers was my Bible.  Having so much available electronically through my school's library was invaluable to me as someone who lives 3 hours away.

My dog for not freaking out every time I yelled at my computer screen.  My husband for making me dinner when I forgot to eat.

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May 12, 11:37AM PDT | 0 comments | 1 cheer