Goals before Paris

I will be studying abroad in paris next term, and I will be leaving in January. This works out well because my tentative thesis topic, which I have already begun to research, is a case study on the BNP. I don't have my actual question down yet, but I know I want it to have something to do with either the current banking reform or the economic crisis, or hopefully, both. While in Paris, I will do some research but before I go, I have several goals to accomplish (I will strike them out as they get done):

1. Add 5 sources to the literature review from Thesis seminar

2. Set up a concrete question

3. Start a rough outline about subtopics within the main topic

4. Research professors in France who can be secondary thesis advisors (may not be able to do this until I actually get to Paris)

5. Talk to Professor Lehne about a fellowship I'm applying to (that may change my thesis topic)

6. Apply for the fellowship

7. Get human subjects approval

8. Set up thesis blog

I may not be able to accomplish all of these seeing as my time between the end of the semester and Paris is limited, but I will still try to get all of them done. 

Advice tidbit: Making these types of short-term goals can be really helpful in getting stuff done. Set a deadline for yourself and meet the deadline. Assign yourself little things, such as get 5 sources by x date. So far, it has kept me on track with my thesis after the class has ended. I also found that this blog puts me under pressure to meet my goals because if I know people are keeping up with me, then I feel like I am obligated to complete the tasks. Furthermore, I love making to-do lists because it feels so good to be able to cross things off of the list ^_^ This approach may or may not work for everyone, but it definitely works for me. 

Thesis Blog: Intro

Hello, this is my thesis blog, which was created specifically for the purpose of writing about my thesis: the research, the process and other ideas. 

Advice Tidbit: If you haven't taken it already, take an Intro to the Thesis class. At Rutgers, it's taught by Dean Levine. It's a great course because it teaches you how to go about researching, writing, finding an advisor, financing your thesis, etc. I strongly recommend this course for anyone who is writing a Thesis. 

Next time: My near-future goals