Surviving Your Thesis

You’re feeling pretty good about life now that you’ve decided on your thesis topic. No stress, no worries. You still have nearly a year before it’s due, so it’s all good, right?

Not exactly. Do you remember that old saying of how time flies fast? Oh yes, it really does whiz past when you’re not looking. You may have a job, four or five other classes, family responsibilities, volunteer time, and you even manage to squeeze in a few moments for yourself. It’s called living life, and it is all good stuff. 

However, if you haven’t had any previous experience working on a large, long-term project, you may be in for a surprise when time sneaks up on you, taps you on the shoulder, and says, “Hey, dude. Your thesis is due next month!” Time lets out an evil “ha-ha-ha” as it slides off to pester its next victim, leaving you frozen, unable to move—chills reaching down to your bones. 

You finally thaw, move, manage to breath. Your mind goes into overdrive, and you spend the next month never sleeping. You become a library nomad, traveling from one research location to another. You’re in and out of labs as you pull together the last bits of data you need to write your thesis. You keep panic at bay with caffeine – large, large doses of it, until you finally complete your thesis and have to re-program your heartbeat to a normal rhythm. Congratulations, you survived!

Did it really have to be that way? No. 

Here are a few tips to help you navigate your thesis:

• Create a time-table for yourself and stick to it as much as possible.

• Mark quotes while you conduct research, so the quotes are easy to find later. You may want to create a reference list just for quotes, even if you don’t end up using them. 

• If your thesis requires you to travel to gather primary sources, plan those days out in advance. You’ll need to match your schedule to the hours your research center is open.

• If you need to conduct interviews or get expert opinions, leave plenty of time to coordinate with other people.

• Submit chunks of your thesis to your readers early, so you have plenty of time for revisions, instead of waiting to send the entire thesis. Your readers have lives too and have been kind enough to support your endeavors.

• Thank your readers and anyone else who has helped you reach your goal. 

Incorporate the above tips early and your life will be much easier and more enjoyable. 

Written by Sheri Flemming

Gespräch mit Mr. Hartzler (Conversation with Mr. Hartzler)

Alex Hartzler speaking with student

It was a pleasure to have Alex Hartzler visit our campus and talk to Honors students on October 25^th. I had heard a great deal about “the Alex Hartzler” before meeting him; he is the man who generously supports our honors program at Penn State Harrisburg, which we are all grateful for. I honestly expected him to be boring and lacking in sense of humor. Oh boy was I proved wrong. Mr. Hartzler is actually an amazing, witty, and altruistic man, who wants nothing but for our generation to get international experience like he did when he was a student.

Mr. Hartzler is the donor of the Hartzler Travel Award for the Honors Program. He visited our campus to share his travel experiences and how they have shaped him as a person. The conversation also provided me with the opportunity to learn about how he became involved in the Capital College Honors Program.

A 1990 Penn State Harrisburg graduate himself, Mr. Hartzler has strived for success since graduating. He was an Executive Vice President and partner of Webclients.net, and started the Harrisburg Young Professionals group in our capital city.  He is currently a partner at WCI Partners, LP, concentrating on "acquiring, rehabilitating, restoring and re-selling historic homes" in Harrisburg and other urban areas.

He used his travel experiences to help him build his magnificent career.  During the session, he shared his fond memories of Germany and how making connections internationally helped him in later life.  His traveling also helped him with his communication skills in different languages.

Being from a different country, I was curious to know if that held any advantages compared to those who were born in America.  He told me that students who were born in a different country can sometimes have more opportunities than others.  They already have a basic knowledge of a different culture, and they can use that to their advantage.  

Mr. Hartzler was adamant that students should take the opportunity to travel, whether in school or when they graduate. Having traveled to many countries himself, he expressed that he learned something new and different from each country he visited. I couldn’t agree more, because even though I was also brought up in India and the US, I think there is much more for me to discover in the world.

With his travel award, Mr. Hartzler has afforded honors students an opportunity that other students do not have.  His generous donation gives us the financial support that we need to travel.  But he did more than just give us money; he also took the time out of his day to come and share his inspiring story with us.  It was a worthwhile conversation for curious students in the Honors Program!

Written by Jyothi Kakuturu

Letter from the Editor: The Mid-Semester Blues

It's November!

For those graduating in December, November is full of final touches on thesis work and perhaps a sad nostalgia that it's almost over.  For the rest of us, it is a month filled with catching up on assignments that we've fallen behind on and trying not to fall into what I dub: mid-semester blues.

Mid-semester blues, if you're wondering, is that time where going to classes seems like a burden, and your homework is forming an ever growing pile on your desk (bed, sofa, etc.)  Textbooks are scattered across your room, and for procrastinators, this might be the first time you're opening them.  Midterms, if you haven't had them already, are looming over you like a cartoon rain cloud; and papers are due in all of your classes (on the same date).  But with all the stress of the mid-semester, all you can think about is that we're three weeks away from a blissful week off.  With that thought in mind, late October into November is sluggish and drags on forever.  Hence, the dreaded mid-semester blues.

As a senior, I've had the mid-semester blues every year of my college career.  My advice to you: don't let it get you behind.  You're going to want to skip a class, miss a homework assignment, and maybe actually clean your living space in order to avoid class work.  But remember, many of the assignments that are due from now until the end of the semester count for a large portion of your grade.  So don't slack off now.  It's not the time.

Just remember, in three weeks, you can take a break (maybe not if you're working on a thesis) and relax for a week.  That should be a motivation to do your work, not a hindrance.

Good luck!

Written by Jeshanah McLeod

Back to the Past in Eckley's Miners' Village!

Students and Chaperones at Eckley's Miners' Village

This past Saturday, September 29^th, found Penn State Harrisburg’s Honors students fully engaged and interested during a trip to Eckley’s Miner Village. The trip was an opportunity for Honors Students to learn more about the life and daily struggles of miners in Eckley during the beginning of the Industrial Revolution. Students learned about how the mining business began in Eckley and how miners lived on a day to day basis; and we got to tour the village.

Eckley Miners’ Village was a coal mining site found in 1854 that grew with industry and the need for anthracite coal. The village was comprised of mine workers, who were largely Irish, coming to America from Eastern Europe in search of better living. Due to the fact that the entire village and coal site were owned by the coal company, miners had incredibly structured lives and very little freedom.

Houses in Eckley's Miners' Village

Miners lived in very poor conditions and were frequently exposed to danger in the coal mines. A miner usually made no more than $100 monthly, which was very little considering rent, medical expenses, food, and etc.  A typical home for a miner would be two stories and shared by his family as well as a boarder, so that all expenses could be met. There would be a small kitchen with a traditional stove that only ran on coal. Also, there might be at most two wooden beds of which about twelve people slept. Upstairs there would be boarders and a small tub for washing and laundry. Usually, the wives tended to the children, cleaning, and maintaining the expansive garden that surrounded the home.

At the time, the company owned the village, including the only local store. Therefore, many things were overpriced and unaffordable for the typical miner, who frequently ended up with a debt.  Thus, it was common for the families to have their own gardens and grow food like potatoes and cabbage to provide sustenance for the family.

Working in the mine was even more strenuous than living in destitution. In addition to long days and little pay, miners had to use explosives to blast coal from the earth with very little protective gear. Even worse, they were responsible for obtaining their own tools; so if they could not afford protective gear or things like a shovel- that became problematic.

After a day of learning and touring, students were given the opportunity to taste polish food prepared by the tour guide, Jolene Busher, and her mother. The meal consisted of salami slices, pickled eggs, sweet bread, and farmer’s iced tea. Students were appreciative and indulged in the dishes! At the end of the trip, Honors students left with more knowledge on the type of labor that shaped the country and more specifically, the living conditions of miners.

In 1960, the village was taken over by the State and later opened as a National Historic site in 1971. So, stop by and visit! Learn about Ekcleys’ Miner Village. To learn more, visit http://www.eckleyminersvillagemuseum.com/ .

Brianna Alexander

Photo Credits: Stephanie Ponnett 

Dean Brady Visits Penn State Harrisburg

The visit from Dr. Christian Brady to the Penn State Harrisburg Honors Program was an amazing experience for us students. Dr. Christian Brady is the Dean of the Schreyer Honors College at Pennsylvania State University; it was heart warming that such a busy man would take the time to come down and talk to our Honors Program students. He welcomed the union of the Capital College Honors Program and Schreyer Honors, which I am personally very thrilled about.

Jyothi Kakuturu and Dr. Christian Brady

During the student discussion hour, I appreciated how Dr. Brady thoughtfully addressed several issues questioned by the students. Not only that, but he also allowed the students to reflect on the Honors Program, leading to a very open ended, comfortable discussion. I also had an opportunity to talk to him personally about my research interests and Honors thesis. After the discussion, I had the opportunity to attend the dinner with a few other students and had a very different experience. Many of those who attended the dinner were Penn State alumni, generous donors to the Honor’s college, Dr. Ansary (the Associate Dean), and Dr. Kulkarni (chancellor of Penn State Harrisburg), honors program staff from Capital College and the Schreyer College.

The dinner at Mount Hill Tavern was the most inspiring time of the day for me. The owner of the restaurant kicked off the speeches, noting that education is the best investment one can make, and I couldn’t agree more! Dr. Kulkarni, being a former investment banker at Wall Street, further elaborated that investing in present students is a lifelong investment, as we will then invest in the education of future students. Dr. Brady said that this builds a strong foundation for Penn State Main Campus and Penn State Harrisburg’s students to have an enriched educational environment and many research opportunities. He stressed that wherever the students end up after graduation, they should always cherish and thank those have helped us achieve so much.

The whole event inspired me because of how much faith and confidence the alumni donors had in undergraduate students. This compelled me to work harder, and give back to my Penn State family now and in the future. Like Dr. Kulkarni said, “Don’t take away from Penn State’s name; add to Penn State’s name.”  On behalf of all the Penn State faculty, staff and students, I generously thank all our donors for investing in our future.

Written by Jyothi Kakuturu

Photo Credits:  Marques Paige

A Night at Mt. Hill Tavern

Dr. Christian Brady and donors

The Schreyer Honors College, it’s a big title.  So it was with great pride, that the Penn State Harrisburg Honors program embraced going under the umbrella that is the Schreyer Honors College.  But with becoming a part of that, the Capital Campus Honors Program needs to expand funding as well.  The benefits that befall the students in the program are, unfortunately, not a free commodity.  For that reason, as well as to thank our existing donors, a few honors student, faculty, and staff gathered at the Mt. Hill Tavern in Harrisburg.

Alex Harztler and Jeshanah McLeod

In a wood-floored room, an intimate group of a little over twenty gathered, mingling and dining on hors d'oeuvres.  The room was abuzz with talk of upcoming theses that students were working on and the many benefits that the Capital College Honors Program gave to the students.  Amongst the speakers that evening were Dr. Kulkarni, Chancellor of Penn State Harrisburg, Doug Neidich, a donor as well as the owner of Mt. Hill Tavern, and Kevin Harter, a member of the Penn State Harrisburg Board of Advisers as well as a donor to the Capital College Honors Program, and Dr. Christian Brady, Dean of Schreyer Honors College.  All of the speakers boasted a pride in the honors program as well as recognized the work that Dr. Tawatnuntachai has done for the program.

Jessica Martin, Dr. Surra, Dr. Robinson, and Jeshanah McLeod

The event went without a hitch.  The food was excellent.  The conversation was flowing, and
the students got to interact with the people behind the Capital College Honors Program.

Written by Jeshanah McLeod

Photo Credits: Marques Paige

A Schreyer Afternoon at Penn State Harrisburg

Dr. Christian Brady

Over thirty Penn State Harrisburg honors students attended a wonderful afternoon gathering with Dr. Christian Brady, the Dean of Schreyer Honors College on September thirteenth.  Now that honors students at Penn State Harrisburg have the option of graduating from the Capital College Honors Program or the Schreyer Honors College, Dean Brady came to answer any questions the students had.  When answering one of his questions, Dean Brady emphasized that the general education requirement at Penn State provoked students to think critically and globally, and that was why employers tended to hire Penn State Graduates.  He also spoke about his successes while answering questions, informing the students of how he reached to where he is today.  To wrap up the session, one of the final points he made was that he opened himself to opportunities, and he encouraged students to do the same.

Written by Rosemary Yee

Sophomore, American Studies Major at Penn State Harrisburg

Photo Credits:  Marques Paige