My Thesis, or Lack Thereof...

As many of you know, writing my thesis has really been challenging. I'm sure it is difficult for anyone, and with two little ones I am struggling to find time. I feel bad not playing with Nevie, and I feel bad not holding Tay, and I feel bad not working on my thesis. Through all of this, there are some things I have learned that I wish I knew before, or wish I had done towards the beginning of my Masters Program and I wanted to share them...

1. Pick a topic early on in coursework. That way you can choose classes that may help in your understanding of, and research for, you paper. You may even be able to use work from your term papers for those particular courses for your thesis. Also, by starting early on, you have the student mindset. Trust me, once you are done with your coursework, the last thing you want to do is write a 120-page paper in order to get your dregree. Do it as you go, if you can.

2. A tip I just got was to work on it a little bit EVERY day, no matter how much, or in my case, how little you actually accomplish.

3. Don't have kids until you are DONE! Just kidding. Designate certain time to work on it, when the kiddos won't be a distraction. I absolutely cannot do it during the day when one baby is breastfeeding, two are in diapers, and one is a smart, stubborn two-year-old. But at night, or even during nap time, I MIGHT get a chance.

4. Use CSUF Writing Center skills. I should definitely have been using these LONG before now. Those tutoring skills are not only for our students. Duh!

5. Have someone you can talk to about your thesis, and who is willing to dedicate some time to it, and you, by reading and commenting and suggesting.

Now, I am going to get back to it. Pray that I finish it. :-) Oh, and one that I should probably add to that... Don't get mad at your husband, or significant other, when he pretends to be mad that you aren't working on it...he's just trying to help get you motivated.