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The CCRA blog is authored by Columbia undergraduate researchers, who are invited to reflect on all aspects of the research process and their own undergraduate research experiences, beginning (but not ending) with the Core.
Category Archives: Senior Thesis
Falling into First Drafts
The other day, part of my thesis was due. As the deadline loomed, I found myself unable to write more than half a page. I crafted opening line after opening line, but no matter how many times I stepped away … Continue reading
Posted in Senior Thesis, Uncategorized, University Writing
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DIY Templates
On October 31, 2020 I will become my sister. We’re dressing up as each other for Halloween, which means I’ll have to wear leggings in 80ºF heat. More than a simple clothes swap, I’ll attend dance class and learn 75% … Continue reading
Posted in Senior Thesis, Uncategorized
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Why am I writing a thesis?
Recently, I’ve found myself pondering the question: Why am I writing a thesis? Now, I don’t think that there’s any specific right or wrong answer to this question. For some, writing a thesis is a natural extension of a project … Continue reading
Posted in New York City, Senior Thesis, STEM research, Uncategorized
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No Thesis, No Shame
Most of the people in my life tend to be a bit surprised to learn that I’m not writing a thesis. After all, I write a blog that talks about research on campus, and it’s frequently assumed that an interest … Continue reading
Posted in postgraduation plans, Senior Thesis, Uncategorized
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Making the Most of Meeting Professors
At the end of September I had to choose a “second reader” for my thesis. In the History department, all students writing a thesis attend a year-long thesis seminar course. In addition to the professor for this course, who leads … Continue reading
Posted in Faculty Mentors, Senior Thesis, STEM research, Uncategorized
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How to Prepare for a Hurricane, How to Prepare for Research
I am waiting for Douglas. I am waiting for a hurricane. A few days ago, around the time COVID-19 cases began spiking in the islands, news of a hurricane surfaced. As the storm barrelled across the Pacific Ocean, my family … Continue reading
Posted in Senior Thesis, Summer Research
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HU OSA 300-60-1: Finding What You Are(n’t) Looking For
While in Budapest and working at the Open Society Archives, I was paired with a junior researcher who works primarily on the history of cybernetics (the science of communications and control systems in both machines and living things) during the … Continue reading
Posted in Archives, Senior Thesis
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Research as Reimagining
I attended my first thesis presentation sitting on the couch. The university had sent many of us home in March. Now it was May. Instead of facing the blank page, commencing battle with my final papers, I opened Zoom, settled … Continue reading
Posted in Senior Thesis, The Core
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Let Questions (Including Whether to Write a Thesis)
In early April, while video calling with my friends, laughing over the small, silly things that keep quarantine light, feigning quick jabs at inside jokes, worrying and luxuriating in next year’s possibilities, my friend mentioned one such possibility she … Continue reading
Posted in Senior Thesis
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