How difficult is it to write a thesis? Part 2
Easier for some, more challenging for others — every student has to go through it. Writing a thesis. There is no single approach to do it right, but there are many stories of how it has already been done. For instance by TalTech sudents Tatiana, Aaditya and Hiruni. Make sure to also check How difficult is it to write a thesis. Part 1.
Tatiana: “I have never met anyone, for whom thesis writing period would be stressless.”
Tatiana Iovu from Moldova, studies E-governance Technologies and Services (MSc)
Thesis title: E-Governance Services Development and Data Protection — International Approaches and National Decisions. Case Study: The Republic of Moldova.
Supervisor: Katrin Nyman-Metcalf
How did you choose this topic? Was it the first topic option or did you doubt between a couple?
One of the application steps for this program was the motivation letter, where we had to describe what kind of research we would like to do in our final thesis. I was always passionate about Human Rights Protection, and I knew, that my research would be connected to it. As the data protection is one of the main human rights, connected with e-Governance development, it was pretty easy for me to do the math and conclude on the topic.
What curious facts, notions or findings would you like to share?
During the whole masters and thesis research I’ve learned so much about my country. For the interviews, I’ve invited experts in the field, who were ready to share their experience, their knowledge. And when you see people, who are so passionate and enthusiastic about what they are doing, it definitely makes you go an extra mile.
How did the thesis-writing process look like for you?
When you are doing a pretty novel research about your home country, you definitely feel, that you are doing an impact, a valuable contribution to the academic society, because those, who’ll come after you, in a year, or even 10 years, will be able to refer to your research and agree with you, or argue some of your statements. This motivated me to keep going.
How do you find thesis-writing experience?
This experience makes you explore yourself more: you become a journalist, an interviewer, an academic writer, data analyst and a little bit of a graphic designer. It is, at the same time a scary and very exciting experience.
What was easy?
I would say, that the analysis of the interviews and surveys was easy. Of course, it requires time and concentration, but it is so interesting, that you don’t even realize how time flies and how you are just writing page after page. It makes you see the “fruits” of your research and also, that you are getting closer to the end of your work.
What was challenging?
The theoretical part of the research was pretty challenging and time-consuming for me. It’s better to get it done asap, and move to the practical part of the research, which is a lot more exciting.
Tips for others:
I have never met anyone, for whom thesis writing period would be stressless.
- That’s why I never try to spend more then 6 months on it. Definitely, there are different types of research, that might require more time. But it my case, both Bachelor’s and Master’s thesis were written in the period under 6 months.
- It requires discipline and planning. In Estonia, if you are working, you should definitely plan your academic and thesis leave. Per year, every student is granted 30 days of academic leave (20 payed and 10 unpayed) and 14 days of thesis leave. Plan them wisely, as you can request them minimum 2 weeks in advance and use for your advantage.
- Understand during what time it’s easier for you to write. So many people I know find it easier to write at night. Productivity turns on and you find yourself reaching the milestones set. So, adjust your schedule according to that time if possible. But always make sure, that you get those 8 hours of sleep. Otherwise, your productivity will decrease significantly and you’ll start feeling demotivated.
- Always communicate to your supervisor. Let them know, what have you done, what you are planning to do. Tell them the deadline, that you set for yourself, it will discipline you because you will know, that you are accountable not only to yourself, but at least to one more person.
- Talk to other people about your research. At first you let them know, that you are in the process of writing your thesis, your topic, it might start a great discussion and brain storming, that’s how sometimes great ideas come to life. Also, next time they’ll see you, they will definitely ask, how is your thesis going. Sometimes serves as a good reminder, that there is no time to procrastinate.
- Make sure, that you are motivating others to push further and keep writing. Sometimes only a good portion of motivation, from the person, who is going through the same struggle can keep you going. Especially two weeks before the deadline.
- Having a second screen could be very helpful in thesis writing.
Favourite study place at TalTech:
I love love love the TalTech library. I literally fell in love with it from the first visit and I miss it a lot during quarantine!
The best snack while writing:
Depends on your metabolism:) Sweets keep you awake and give you energy, but if you still want to be in shape after you submit your thesis, go for carrots, apples and nuts. Once in a while allow yourself to relax and go for chocolate and chips.
Aaditya Parashar: “ For me writing a thesis was like skydiving alone without taking lessons”
Aaditya Parashar from India, studying Cyber Security Engineering (BSc)
Thesis title: A Web-Based Platform for Learning and Practicing Cyber Security
Supervisor: Kaido Kikkas
How did you choose this topic?
I decided to create the platform for Learning and Practicing Cyber Security when I saw the lack of knowledge students have at the high- school level and even when entering university. Both in the field of IT in general and Cyber security in particular — here in Estonia and back home in India.
The general education system is evidently not fulfilling this gap, hence I decided to go ahead with it. I made it my thesis topic since I was going to develop it anyway, doing it as a thesis gave me some good motivation, and a strict timeline.
Article or a book you discovered while writing your thesis:
None became my favorite, but definitely some interesting ones, like:
The Billion-Dollar Bank Job at New York Times
How did the thesis-writing process look like for you?
Skydiving alone without taking lessons sounds about right. Essentially I did a two-week sprint, where there was nothing called sleep or time of the day. Overall, I found it exhausting, in IT college it is also a bit more complicated. It was so challenging writing pages and pages … and pages…. It feels like they will never end. The practical part was easier for me, because it was fun and even when it was complicated — I love doing it, so I’ll still call it easy:)
Tips for others:
- Don’t do a 2-week sprint.
- But if you do (which many will) — pick a topic which you actually love and find those 2-weeks worth it for that topic.
Favourite study place at TalTech:
k-space.ee at Akadeemia tee 21/1 or home as I like to have my work desk setup while working.
The best snack while writing:
Classic Selga biscuits or Pringles.
Hiruni Gunaratne: “It is one of a kind experience.”
Hiruni Gunaratne from Sri Lanka, studying E-Governance Technologies and Services (MSc)
Thesis title: Identifying Barriers in E-Invoicing Process to Increase Efficiency and Raise the Level of Automatisation of Workflows
Supervisor: Ingrid Pappel
How did you choose this topic?
It was my third topic idea. But all the topics I came up with were regarding e-invoicing. Initially the idea I had was not very feasible, as I understood later. Then eventually I have crystallized it into my final topic.
Curious facts, notions or findings that you like to share?
I can say that there is a huge possibility and passion towards implementing AI (artificial Intelligence) in the e-invoicing scope. Overall, e-governance and e-services have a bright future.
How did the thesis-writing process look like for you?
It really required a lot of time and dedication. I had so many sleepless nights with my thesis. But I loved it towards the end. It felt like creating something of my own. It is one of a kind experience. It is not like a typical project or an assignment one frequently does at the university. It is like coming up with so many new ideas and creating solutions for existing problems. The analysis part was easy and it made me think a lot. This is the part of the thesis which I liked the most. However, it was challenging to manage time, to remember where I stopped the previous day, to find out things on my own and to continue feel inspired and motivated. There were some days I didn’t want to do it at all. But somehow it was a wonderful experience to overcome the challenges and to finally submit the thesis.
Tips for others:
- Start thinking about the topic early, and make sure to choose something you would really like to explore about.
- Some days it will feel like it is impossible. But each day try to achieve at least something. I wrote down little achievable goals for every day. Normally, I planned my activities for 3–4 days ahead. It would be too overwhelming to plan the whole process. That’s why those daily goals really kept me going. In the end, you will get it right anyways.
Favourite study place at TalTech: I like to be on my own, without any distraction. So mostly I was writing it was my room in the dormitory.
The best snack while writing: Cake.
