resources

M.A. Thesis

Thesis Support

Student Support Group. When beginning work on a master’s thesis, issues may arise that are frustrating or confusing and present emotional or psychological barriers inhibiting research and writing progress. Student-run support groups, whose members include everyone actively working on an M.A. thesis are useful for this purpose. A support group may help you to find ways to work effectively with your thesis supervisor, to understand and interpret feedback comments on your written drafts and deal effectively with criticism, to bounce back from blows to self-esteem (a frequent problem for many in this process!), managing and scheduling time effectively to move forward on thesis work, and meeting deadlines. Each year, a call for interest in a M.A. support groups is issued by the Conflict Resolution Program office.

Common Support Group Issues and Overcoming the barriers:

1. Working with your thesis supervisor and/or oral defense committee
   Selecting a topic, advisor
   Allowing time for feedback to drafts and inquires
2. Emotional Blocks
   Understanding feedback/criticism
   Blows to self-esteem
   Dealing with frustration
3. Task Blocks
   time management—when working on the thesis
   time commitment—how much time devoted to work on the thesis
   setting deadlines