Writing a master's thesis: From finding a topic to printing it out
The last hurdle, which completely concludes the course, is approaching: the master's thesis! And that's one last time when I'm fraying my nerves, sweating in my bib and working night shifts to meet the deadline. But only if time management has failed - which of course won't happen to you with our tips. We'll tell you how to master your master's thesis with flying colors - from finding a topic to printing it out.
Step 1: Finding a topic
Hmm, not that easy - possible topics for writing a master's thesis vary depending on your field of study and interests. The best thing to do is to approach the topic search systematically: Which topics did you find most fascinating during your studies? Is there perhaps a red line within your seminar papers from which you can derive interests? Tendencies that arise here could be a clue when choosing the topic of your master's thesis.
Another important point is the choice of your supervisor: Which lecturers did you get along well with in your seminars? Ideally, you have already received good grades from your favorite lecturer and therefore know what writing and research style your supervisor values.
Pssst, little insider tip: If you can't find a suitable topic for writing your master's thesis, try adding a good dose of humor and curiosity - it'll definitely impress!
Step 2: Time management
Oops, only five weeks left – let’s get to it now. With relatively unimportant seminar papers, you could satisfactorily get through them just before the deadline, but when it comes to the master's thesis, the schedule should be a little more generous. This means: If you have a total of 20 weeks, you should divide this time frame properly. How much time do you need approximately to develop your structure? Are there any studies or surveys that you should carry out to support your theses? These can not only be time-consuming, but also cost you a lot of planning.
Ultimately, you should plan at least 5-6 weeks of your time for actually writing your work - preferably more so that you don't get stressed out at the end. Tip: Allow buffer time for proofreading by third parties!
Step 3: The submission
Congratulations! The work is written, all that's left is to print and submit it. Unfortunately, the former in particular costs a bit of money: after all, the master's thesis should not be submitted in the cheapest ring binder binding and also has significantly more pages than the bachelor's thesis. This is a real money guzzler - especially because your parents and of course you also want to have a beautifully bound copy of your master's thesis on the shelf. Before you go to the university group, find out from your fellow students about their experiences with printing - maybe there's an insider tip that doesn't cost that much money. Otherwise – get rid of it and enjoy your newfound freedom! The obligatory champagne to pop the cork immediately after delivery is a must!
We say: Congratulations!!
Helpful tips about writing a master’s thesis
Now here are some useful tips that should make your time during your master's thesis easier and ensure that writing your master's thesis is perhaps even a little bit fun in the end and is as stress-free as possible.
- The A&O: Choose an exciting topic that you can spend a good 20 weeks working on
- Good communication with the supervisor not only lightens the mood, but also ensures structure and satisfaction
- But this time for real: get started straight away! The resolution “I’ll start studying earlier this semester” can only be implemented on this occasion. So get to it!
- Build in enough buffers so that there is no drama if the survey doesn't go as expected. Have an emergency plan ready, adjust the crown and move on!
- Be sure to send it for proofreading at the end. Every comma should be right! There are, for example, online proofreaders who will put your master's thesis through its paces at affordable prices within 24 hours.
- Make sure your work is structured neatly. This means: Automatic table of contents and bibliography, pay attention to the conciseness, keep headings consistent and don't mix up the order
Write your master's thesis in 3 easy steps.
