How I did it: That's right. I'M FINALLY DONE!!!!!!

How'd I do it? I worked. And worked. And worked. And then I worked some more, until I didn't think I could work for another second. A thesis is not for the faint of heart. It's not just a project. It becomes a lifestyle and a journey of self-exploration.

Lessons & tips:

• START EARLY. I figured out what I wanted to write about
  (generally, anyway) in my second semester of the MA program. This
  allowed me to tailor all of the research I did in all of my classes in
  a way that it fit with my project. I became supremely knowledgeable about everything related to my topic.
• Pick something that you are absolutely, unabashedly passionate
  about. If you don't, this project will bore you to death and you may
  lose your marbles. If you do, every step of the process will feel
  rewarding, and you will be a better person for having completed the project
  
• Choose your thesis committee wisely. I did not, at first, and
  ended up with a professor who A) claimed to hate my ideas, and B) proceeded to steal a bunch of them. I then had the awkward task of
  voting him off of my thesis committee, in true Rock of Love style.
• Be willing to let your ideas evolve, because whether you want them to or not, they will.
• Treat thesis-ing like a job. Set hours. Pack lunches. Otherwise, you will sit in front of reruns of That 70's Show with a half-closed laptop on your coffee table for hours--maybe days--on end. Or so I've heard.
  
• Learn to love microwaveable or quickly made foods. I love to
  cook, so this one was tough for me. I got a crock pot and rice cooker
  instead of going the fast-food route.
• Know when to quit. I'm pretty sure I could work on this project forever, but I finally had to decide it was good enough.
  

Resources: Patience, a laptop, and a re-loadable Starbucks card are all the start-up you need.

May 28, 07:34PM PDT | 1 comment | 3 cheers