I feel both relieved and a little apprehensive after handing in the full draft of my thesis. It was relieving just to get everything together into one document (abstract, table of contents, literature review, main case study sections, appendix, bibliography) and finish up the bulk of my research. Seeing how many pages it amounted to made me feel pretty proud, especially since I've been feeling like I'm not doing enough, or there are more resources out there that I absolutely need (as I mentioned in my previous post). This is related to why I'm feeling a bit apprehensive, like I'm still missing something major. But, I just have to remain confident and know I did the most that I could in the time allotted.
As I was finishing up the draft, one thing I was worried about was the conclusion. I kept wondering: would it be substantive enough? But, as I compiled all of my research and sections, I took notes along the way of points I wanted to bring up, and this helped me write the conclusion/findings/recommendations. One piece of advice mentioned during my board meetings was to not be afraid to insert my own voice into the paper, so I kept this in mind as I wrote. After gathering all my research, I realized I am in a position to form opinions and address my topic as someone who knows what she's talking about. Being a student my whole life, it will take some time before I can look at myself as an official or formal 'researcher,' but after thesis, I'm getting there.
Sunday, March 31, 2019
Saturday, March 30, 2019
Almost done?
Last Thursday we turned in the first FULL draft of our thesis, and now that a few days have gone by I'm feeling very relieved. I know it's not completely done yet since the paper still needs to be revised and a couple of things needed to be added, but it feels very final now that the deadline has passed. In a way though, I also feel weird not having this paper hanging over my head now. I've gotten used to thesis being part of my life since August, but now that the paper is written it's not anymore. It's a nice feeling, but I also feel like I have a lot of free time now and nothing much to do.
My plan for the next few weeks is to finish my poster draft, and then go back in probably a week and start revisions on my draft. My mom has this writing advice that if you can, you should let a paper sit for a few days so you can "mentally divorce" yourself from it, and be more critical when you go to edit. The final final draft is due in a month, so I think taking a week or two to not think about it and then going back would be really good for the revision process. Overall though, I'm relieved that it's done, and proud of myself for getting it done.
My plan for the next few weeks is to finish my poster draft, and then go back in probably a week and start revisions on my draft. My mom has this writing advice that if you can, you should let a paper sit for a few days so you can "mentally divorce" yourself from it, and be more critical when you go to edit. The final final draft is due in a month, so I think taking a week or two to not think about it and then going back would be really good for the revision process. Overall though, I'm relieved that it's done, and proud of myself for getting it done.
Thursday, March 21, 2019
Update 4
I have continued to write. Now I am bringing my sections on religion, transportation, and activism more into my tour route. I have a lot of writing I still need to get done by Thursday as I was away during spring break and didn't work on any school work then (the break was well spent hiking though). However, I have a good idea of what I will be incorporating and where. As soon as I submit the draft Thursday I will be transitioning to writing the poster sections. I haven't developed my appendices yet, so that my come as I am working on the poster bits as well.
Wednesday, March 20, 2019
Busy, Busy, Busy
These past two weeks have been a whirlwind. I've built out a few of my topics into more complete sections but I keep wanting to bounce around when finishing my content. On Monday I interviewed Dr. Jonathan Katz, one of the curators for Hide/Seek about the programming at both the Brooklyn Museum and the National Portrait Gallery. Dr. Katz provided insight into some aspects of my case study while confirming other conceptions I had already had about the role or nature of each program. I still have a bit to finish or edit in all of my sections, which is making me nervous but I've tried to continue pacing out my work over the past few weeks. I feel confident considering I have added roughly 20 more pages to my paper, though this does include completing my current bibliography and starting to compile one of my appendices. As of right now it feels like a lot but here's hoping I can continue to pace out completing the remaining content.
Thesis Update #4
I just completed my section on regional identity in Buffalo, leaving me with three more sections to complete before the deadline next week! However, the glossary and the index will be completed at a later time after the deadline. There are quite a few pictures I would like to include. I am very excited to see my whole vision coming together on paper and hopefully to life one day. After I complete the written component, I can make the crucial changes to my poster.
For some reason, I need more sources. How many sources are required? I have about twenty or so references. I now have 81 responses from my Buffalo sports survey. I recently posted the survey on Reddit was ay last attempt to reach at least 100 replies. I do plan on giving a presentation at the RIT museum and public history conference about my thesis. I plan on writing my pitch to Professor Lent over the weekend if I have the time. I have been invited to Interview weekend at the Cooperstown Graduate Program, which is the deciding factor as if I am accepted into the program. Wish me luck!
4th Update
This semester feels like it flew by but I am excited to be able to turn in the first draft of the final thesis next week. I spent a lot of time over the past two weeks putting the exhibit together and writing exhibit labels and it has just about come together at this point. I have been keeping pretty careful notes along the way so now I just need to translate those notes and my experiences building the exhibit into text.
As I have gone through this process I have begun to realize just how long my thesis will end up being in the end. The text for the exhibit, which will be included in the appendix will add a significant number of pages to the thesis as a whole but I am really proud of my progress thus far and look forward to seeing the thesis in its final form.
The end is in sight and though there is a lot to be done before then, I can't wait to finish this thing.
As I have gone through this process I have begun to realize just how long my thesis will end up being in the end. The text for the exhibit, which will be included in the appendix will add a significant number of pages to the thesis as a whole but I am really proud of my progress thus far and look forward to seeing the thesis in its final form.
The end is in sight and though there is a lot to be done before then, I can't wait to finish this thing.
Almost there!
I'm both excited and nervous that our first full draft of our theses are due next week. Excited because it means I'm almost done, but nervous because I have SO much to do before I'm finished. I know one thing for sure: my social life is going to be nonexistent until March 28th.
Daunting deadline aside, I'm very happy with my progress. I've completed both of my user tests and got nothing but positive feedback on the design and content of my app (now renamed to "Sense Ease: Strong Museum" after user feedback). I have scheduled follow-up interviews with each family, and I'm looking forward to hearing more about their past experiences at museums, and how they think this app can be improved to be more a more effective tool for individuals on the autism spectrum.
I have all the materials I need, it just needs to be put down on paper; which is almost the hardest part of the whole experience. I can't wait to see how it all shapes up. :)
Send positive vibes to the museum studies senior thesis students!! We all need it.
Daunting deadline aside, I'm very happy with my progress. I've completed both of my user tests and got nothing but positive feedback on the design and content of my app (now renamed to "Sense Ease: Strong Museum" after user feedback). I have scheduled follow-up interviews with each family, and I'm looking forward to hearing more about their past experiences at museums, and how they think this app can be improved to be more a more effective tool for individuals on the autism spectrum.
I have all the materials I need, it just needs to be put down on paper; which is almost the hardest part of the whole experience. I can't wait to see how it all shapes up. :)
Send positive vibes to the museum studies senior thesis students!! We all need it.
Monday, March 18, 2019
4th blog update
I'm sure I'm not the only one who finds next weeks deadline daunting.
Working slowly but surely on thesis as usual. Finding some fun comparisons about the factory industries in the UK versus the US. The idea of hegemonic masculinity is present within the factory working mentalities and higher ups during the late to early 1970s, which is around the same time Heavy Metal was in its infancy. This has an a significant impact on the way Heavy Metal has influenced both men and women within the genre, and the way gender identity has been explored an expressed. I just may need to look into some sources about womens rights and workers conditions in postwar Britain around the same time.
Also alas, I have run out of coffee.
Working slowly but surely on thesis as usual. Finding some fun comparisons about the factory industries in the UK versus the US. The idea of hegemonic masculinity is present within the factory working mentalities and higher ups during the late to early 1970s, which is around the same time Heavy Metal was in its infancy. This has an a significant impact on the way Heavy Metal has influenced both men and women within the genre, and the way gender identity has been explored an expressed. I just may need to look into some sources about womens rights and workers conditions in postwar Britain around the same time.
Also alas, I have run out of coffee.
Post 4
Week back from spring break, right back into things. Things are really starting to boil now, didn't really hit me until the fact that I'm writing this how the first draft of the entire thesis is due next week. I'll admit, while I do like what I wrote and I have a direction I want to go for this, seeing that deadline makes me feel nervous. But I got a direction, which is what matters, and that direction is the final direct application and comparison between various facets and definitions I've established, and where to go from there in application. Don't really have much more to say aside from that.
Spring Semester Update #4
It's hard to believe the full draft of our thesis is due next week! I'm definitely feeling the stress at the moment. I keep battling with this sense of not doing enough. For instance, no matter how much I research, in the back of my mind I'm thinking: is there a better resource out there? Am I including enough facets to this topic? I probably will never stop feeling this way, but for now, I just have to pick a good point to stop and write down my findings/conclusion based on what I have. The good thing is that I have a clear sense of what sections I need to finish (it's just a matter of how far I take those sections, as I before stated). I need to finish up my section on National Museums Scotland, other digital initiatives (digital collections/resources provided outside of museums, for example, by community organizations or universities), and then the conclusion.
I also need to work on my appendix and secure some good maps and images to supplement my research. I definitely want to include screenshots of all the digital initiatives I describe. In addition, I want to find a map of Gaelic in Scotland in the 21st century to compare to the map I found of Gaelic usage in Scotland during the late 1800s. Maps will be crucial in helping readers situate the research geographically. If I can find any photos of bilingual signs or didactic panels in museums in Scotland, I will include that as well.
I also need to work on my appendix and secure some good maps and images to supplement my research. I definitely want to include screenshots of all the digital initiatives I describe. In addition, I want to find a map of Gaelic in Scotland in the 21st century to compare to the map I found of Gaelic usage in Scotland during the late 1800s. Maps will be crucial in helping readers situate the research geographically. If I can find any photos of bilingual signs or didactic panels in museums in Scotland, I will include that as well.
Back to Business
Coming back from Spring Break, things seem a lot more real now. This whole semester it's seemed like actually having the thesis "done" was a far off concept that we wouldn't get to anytime soon. Now, we have our first full draft due in ten days, the pressure is setting in.
Luckily I don't have too much more to write, since I've been writing about the process of working on my project as I was completing it. Mostly, I just need to write about my findings, and then wrap things up.
The one thing I am excited for is to piece everything together. I've been writing in stages, and keeping the different parts of my thesis in different documents. For the first full draft due next week, however, I get to put all those pieces together. I've been holding out on doing it sooner as a sort of gift for myself, since I like the finality of being able to see everything together. I'm excited about getting to see how my thesis looks when it's all put together, and to see how far I've come with it.
Luckily I don't have too much more to write, since I've been writing about the process of working on my project as I was completing it. Mostly, I just need to write about my findings, and then wrap things up.
The one thing I am excited for is to piece everything together. I've been writing in stages, and keeping the different parts of my thesis in different documents. For the first full draft due next week, however, I get to put all those pieces together. I've been holding out on doing it sooner as a sort of gift for myself, since I like the finality of being able to see everything together. I'm excited about getting to see how my thesis looks when it's all put together, and to see how far I've come with it.
Post #4- Spring Break
I must admit, it was nice to have a break from everything for a week.
For Spring Break, I went to visit my family in Dacula, GA, north east of Atlanta.
If you ever get the chance to go to Atlanta, there are tons of museums to visit. I'd been to the World of Coke and the Atlanta Aquarium before, so this trip we decided to go somewhere different.
The first place we visited was the College Football Hall of Fame as both my father and I are college football fans, even if we root for different teams. When you enter the museum, you are directed to register and choose your favorite team. Every visitor is given a lanyard with a pass that links to their registration information. When the visitor approaches an exhibit the RFID recognizes you and your team and highlights exhibit items from that team. For example, when you enter, you're faced with a wall of helmets from various teams featured in the museum. As you register, the helmet from your team flashes so you're able to find it.
Overall, I really enjoyed the museum, but of course I had to pick out a few things that most visitors would never see. Some of their artifacts were falling off of the mounting, things were falling apart and probably should not have been on display in the first place if they wanted to preserve the item, and empty exhibit cases were shoved in a corner but still visible on the exhibit floor.
Some of the cool technology they have includes a movable monitor that allows the visitor to scroll left and right while interacting with the exhibit, and a place to record the visitor singing their team's fight song, which is then posted to their website. (Just don't tell my father, he didn't realize it was being recorded and posted. ;) )
The second place we visited was the Atlanta History Center to see the cyclorama. I highly recommend going to see this exhibit!! The fully restored cyclorama reopened in late February, 2019 and is a must see for Civil War enthusiasts. The 47 foot high painting depicts the Battle of Atlanta. The museum interpreter tells visitors the history of the cyclorama as well as the Battle of Atlanta and includes a 12 minute video. There are multiple interactive screens on the first floor that allow the visitor to get more information on the people, the places, and the changes made to the painting.
For Spring Break, I went to visit my family in Dacula, GA, north east of Atlanta.
If you ever get the chance to go to Atlanta, there are tons of museums to visit. I'd been to the World of Coke and the Atlanta Aquarium before, so this trip we decided to go somewhere different.
The first place we visited was the College Football Hall of Fame as both my father and I are college football fans, even if we root for different teams. When you enter the museum, you are directed to register and choose your favorite team. Every visitor is given a lanyard with a pass that links to their registration information. When the visitor approaches an exhibit the RFID recognizes you and your team and highlights exhibit items from that team. For example, when you enter, you're faced with a wall of helmets from various teams featured in the museum. As you register, the helmet from your team flashes so you're able to find it.
Partial view of the helmet wall. Photo: Jennifer Roeszies
Overall, I really enjoyed the museum, but of course I had to pick out a few things that most visitors would never see. Some of their artifacts were falling off of the mounting, things were falling apart and probably should not have been on display in the first place if they wanted to preserve the item, and empty exhibit cases were shoved in a corner but still visible on the exhibit floor.
Empty cases visible on the exhibit floor. Photo: Jennifer Roeszies
Movable monitor which interacts with visitor pass. Photo: Jennifer Roeszies
Helmet with pieces of leather falling off. Photo: Jennifer Roeszies
Some of the cool technology they have includes a movable monitor that allows the visitor to scroll left and right while interacting with the exhibit, and a place to record the visitor singing their team's fight song, which is then posted to their website. (Just don't tell my father, he didn't realize it was being recorded and posted. ;) )
The second place we visited was the Atlanta History Center to see the cyclorama. I highly recommend going to see this exhibit!! The fully restored cyclorama reopened in late February, 2019 and is a must see for Civil War enthusiasts. The 47 foot high painting depicts the Battle of Atlanta. The museum interpreter tells visitors the history of the cyclorama as well as the Battle of Atlanta and includes a 12 minute video. There are multiple interactive screens on the first floor that allow the visitor to get more information on the people, the places, and the changes made to the painting.
Section of cyclorama painting. Photo: Jennifer Roezies
An additional benefit of going to the AHC is that when you pay your admission, they give you a ticket for free admission to the Margaret Mitchell House which is also a part of the AHC. As someone who has never seen Gone With the Wind or read the book (shock and surprise, I know) I wasn't sure what to expect from this visit, but it was very interesting and I'm glad that we went. If anyone is a GWTW fan, I would recommend going.
Spring Break was fun, but now it's back to working on my thesis before the deadline.
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