In order to graduate as a History major at UAlbany, one requirement is that students write a Senior Thesis, or a Capstone, a 20-page paper of your own choosing and research. I know it sounds daunting. I am in the process of writing mine and it has been a journey to say the least. These are the stages of writing a Capstone
1. Excitement
It's the first class of the semester. You get to present the topic you have been working on in your mind for a few days. You get to hear everyone else’s topic while likely thinking to yourself how much cooler yours is.
2. Start Researching
You set out to start researching your obscure topic after your professor assigns that you need to start doing research. As a master of the Google, you don't worry one bit. I mean how hard can it be? Right?
3. After spending ten hours looking for a single source
"I mean people wrote stuff down in the Middle Ages right??" You now find yourself using every keyword you can think of to look up your topic in your school's databases. And I mean every keyword.
4. After you find that first primary source
All you can think of is how much of a god you are. You are the master of the Internet for finding this source. No one before you has mastered the Internet enough to have possibly found this source.
5. Stretching the truth in class
"Yeah, I started it, its still in the rough draft stages though." Hasn't everyone does this?
6. Dread
You start to realize how obscure of a topic you chose. And how many books you will have to read as each one only covers bits and pieces of your thesis.
7. Nerves
You have seven books and a pile of scholarly articles to read. Note cards and sticky notes have become your only friend.
8. Pride
You beam as the librarian asks you “if you like cheery topics” as you walk away with a pile of books on the Black Plague and respond with, “Why yes I do.”
9. Fear
Your thesis statement is everywhere. Your introduction is in shambles. You still have sources to read but take solace in the fact that just about everyone looks as freaked out as you do.
10. Panic
First four pages are due next week. You poke your thesis with a stick, and it growls back at you.
11. Loneliness
Writing a 20-page paper is solitary work. You turn on your favorite playlist and suck it up.
12. Relief
It’s written. Is it good? At this point, let's be happy its written out.
13. Exhausted
You have finally completed your Capstone. Life is good. Now let's eat a snack and have a cry because you miss working on your paper.
