This is an interesting time of year for many students who are just about to start their final year. In most higher education courses there is an Independent Study Module (often known as a Project or Dissertation).
Some of you may already know what your project is – either because it is chosen for you, or you have already decided and chosen what you are going to do (in which case well done! 😃).
But for most people, this is the time when they are still considering what to do. There is a lot to be gained by getting a head start and getting as much as possible sorted right now, and you can engage by email with the academics whose projects you may be interested in.
Top tips for choosing your project
1) Read through your departmental project suggestions.
Many departments will produce a full list of project choices. Read as many as you can (all if possible) and make some brief notes on each one. The more you read, the more chance you have of developing a feel for what is interesting to you and what you wish to avoid.
2) Talk to previous project students.
Do you know anyone in the year above who has just completed a project? If so, contact them now and ask for their advice about project choice, supervisors, the whole procedure etc. If you can find a graduate to talk to, this can be really useful as they have successfully completed the project and their degree, and can give you a unique perspective on the whole project process.
3) Do some initial research.
Find out about the topic area. Look up the key papers and authors, and start reading the first few. Search the web for what research is going on around the world in this area. This will help you to start thinking from a research perspective. Many students worry about what they can currently do (e.g., “I’m not very good at programming”) rather than engaging with the topic to see what’s needed. You can always learn new skills as part of the project.
4) Contact potential supervisors.
As it’s now the end of the summer break, it’s worth contacting them by email and registering your interest in a project. I’ve often had summer Skype conversations with potential students. You get to start the potential collaborative process, as the best projects involve a good deal of cooperation with a supervisor. You’ll also get some idea of whether this is the right project for you.
5) Ranking your project ideas
Come up with a list of your potential projects and consider the following about each one:
- How much does this topic interest you?
- How much will you enjoy the work that it will involve?
- What response have you got from the supervisor?
- What other information is available about the topic?
- Does it give you a skill that will be useful for your career?
If you’ve not got a clear ‘winner’, why not go back to the supervisor for the ones you’re interested in and get a bit more clarity about what’s required.
For more information
In the book Managing Your Project, Chapter 2 goes into more detail about each of the above topics, and is worth working through.
Chapter 2 is actually available free of charge on the sample that you can see on the Amazon website here. Just click on the cover picture “Look inside” or download a sample to your Kindle or Kindle reader app (available on most major platforms).
The print book is available on the Amazon site below.
Managing Your Project: Achieving Success with Minimal Stress < NEW: Print Version >
Also available on Kindle: http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0164RXKLI
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