Wellbeing column: What Do You Think About Your Thesis?

To all of you working on your thesis, I want to say this: You all have the necessary knowledge and skills to complete the work. Although the plan on paper may seem straightforward, the normal thesis process includes various twists and turns. There is a way out of all kinds of challenges, twists, and turns.

One reason is that the thesis is important to us. Things we are not interested in rarely evoke strong emotions in us. However, the reasons why the thesis is important to us vary widely. Some find the topic itself significant – perhaps it offers a solution to a broader challenge at work or sheds light on a new important perspective. For most, however, the content of the thesis is less significant than what the thesis represents: the final phase of studies and the transition to working life. If one's future is uncertain, this can reflect on our thoughts about the thesis.

There are also differences in what is seen as the purpose of the thesis. In a nutshell: is the purpose to learn new skills or to crystallize all the wisdom gained from the degree into one work? Often, people who think in the latter way find the thesis process more burdensome. Variation is also caused by the goals one has, for example, regarding grades and how realistic they are in relation to one's current life situation.

From a well-being perspective, the key in studies is not so much skills but perseverance and the ability to tolerate uncertainty. The thesis process involves continuous learning, often through trial and error. Sometimes, for the sake of the overall work, it is necessary to remove already written text or take the work in a completely new direction. The work is thus constantly changing, and progress can sometimes be difficult to measure.

The magnitude of the thesis can also cause pressure or make it difficult to start the work on time. If the calendar only has a note "thesis submission" a couple of months ahead, it is easy to procrastinate.

How to tackle a task that feels vast and vague? The answer is annoyingly simple: one piece at a time. To all of you working on your thesis, I want to say this: You all have the necessary knowledge and skills to complete the work. Although the plan on paper may seem straightforward, the normal thesis process includes various twists and turns. There is a way out of all kinds of challenges, twists, and turns. There are several good books written about thesis writing, and tips can be found from fellow students or online. Professional support is also available. Haaga-Helia's study coaching is specifically targeted at these challenges, and as a degree student, you have access to all well-being and learning support services.