Thesis advice from students who've been in your shoes...
- Do research throughout the semester. Don't put it off until the end.
- Meet with your thesis director at least once a week
- Choose a topic that interests you and that you will enjoy
- Plan ahead and develop a timeline of deadlines.
- Choose your director very carefully. Make sure he/she is available and interested in the topic.
- Consult with your director to choose the other two readers
- Have plenty of coffee on hand for late nights.
- Start researching topics well before you start working on the thesis so you have time to investigate.
- Practice for the defense with friends or family members.
- Check out some previous students' theses in the library, Irish conference room, or at the Business Honors Program study lounge.
- Allow time for several drafts.
- Give your readers plenty of time to make comments and suggest changes.
- Don't be scared about the defense. It's your moment to shine and you've been working on this for a semester, a year, or longer.
- Choose a topic you can discuss in graduate school or job interviews.
- Keep your director well informed of your progress throughout the semester.
- Research far in advance and a little at a time.
- Power Point works well for the defense.
- Bring a snack for the defense (coffee and donuts or punch and cookies).
- Questions from your committee at the defense are not criticism. Your readers want you to think deeply about the topic.
- Expect your director to request many revisions.
- Backup your files often.
Please let us know if you want to pass along your own thesis advice to future students by sending advice to
Brady.Hamilton@asu.edu