UNO Mavericks' Poly Sci Grad Students: December 2014

Welcome to UNO Mavericks' Poly Sci Grad Students' Resources!

This student supported and maintained web page is aimed at bridging the gap between the experiences that on campus students have and those that we, Distance Education Students, have. We can use this space, which is not affiliated with the UNO Political Science Department, as a quick reference to help us through our time at UNO from selecting courses, to material covered during class, and potentially after graduation. On campus students should also feel free to use, and contribute to, this resource.

If you want to get on our mailing list, let us know. Updates will be sent out when new posts are made and at the end of semesters to help select classes.

Please note that the posts specific to class topics were pulled down. We currently do not have the resources to maintain class topic specific posts, and we would rather have no information posted, rather than put out conflicting or incorrect information.

Saturday, December 20, 2014

Fin

Today I marched across the stage, and it felt wonderful. Family came in town for the graduation. Faculty stayed after for a photo op. It was a great experience. For those who are on the fence about marching. Do it. During this process I have had a hard time feeling like an actual student. Even after I had submitted my final papers for my final classes in my final semester, being a student was only validated when I walked into the HPER this morning to get ready to march.

On that thesis

When I started this program, I wanted to conclude my graduate education with a thesis. The faculty recommended that I reconsider, due to my requirement of graduating in two years. Factors beyond my control may push the thesis timeline outside of two years, and while many students have been successful, completing the degree in two years was more important than the thesis.

I have also learned that those students who are pursuing the thesis track enter graduate school having already identified their thesis topic. I had not. Considering the research burden of the thesis, I would not have been successful.