JUST KIDDING! This is NOT going to be a "how- to" post because quite frankly, I'm terrified that I won't be able to do it (the post, or the project!). You would think, or at least my department thinks, that after a solid three years of taking multiple writing based history classes per quarter, I'd have some idea as to how to write a thesis--> with run on sentences like these, I should be there in no time...
Back to the point: I am taking my senior exit requirement this quarter, in addition to my last GE requirement (Intro to Logic), and an Upper Div on European Intellectual History. The theme of my Seminar revolves around Jewish History in Eastern Europe. In addition to reading a book a week for discussion, we are supposed to be doing our own research on a topic that falls within the confines of the class. Welp... It's week 3 and I have yet to nail down a research project. I wake up everyday thinking, "Man I really need to get started on this. I'll get right to it after I workout, shower, throw in the laundry, finish that one book, turn in that homework assignment, go to class, get home from work... blah, blah, blah... Facebook!" Unfortunately, that's actually how most days go.
From the beginning I kept thinking, if I can just write 5 pages a week, then I'll have plenty of time to edit and revise. But that means I'd be having to do a enough research every week to produce 5 pages of original material, and that seems hard to manage in addition to all the other stuff I've got going on. Every single day feels like one step closer to Dooms Day, yet I still haven't made much progress... Okay, any progress. There is an incessant devil v. angel banter going on in my head ranging from "Yes, I can totally do this, it's only 25 pages, like a short chapter in a book" to "HOLY S*#T, I CAN'T WRITE 25 PAGES, THAT'S LIKE A CHAPTER IN A BOOK!" <-- insert 10x as much profanity.
Anyway, the whole point of this post is this: Tonight I was washing dishes and a thought came to me. What if I approach the writing as if I would approach running a marathon (not that that's happening anytime soon, we're still in Couch to 5K land over here.) Here's the idea: I have 63 days until my (minimum) 25 page paper is due. If I can alternate between researching one day and writing 1 page the next day regarding said research, I could definitely write 25 pages and still have about 2 weeks at the end to revise and edit. Two weeks might not sound like much, but to this "crank-out-a-12-pager-24-hours-before-it's-due" girl, 2 weeks is like a blissful eternity. I'll see you on the other side!
In other news, I've started volunteering at the hospital and it seems like it's going to be an awesome gig. I spend a couple hours in the ER a few times a week, helping to register patients and accommodate visitors. I also deliver specimens to the lab, push wheelchairs and make sure people are comfortable in the waiting room. It can be a little intense at times, especially when it's busy, but the staff seems to really appreciate the extra help.
