GEN 411 - Baccalaureate Capstone II
Advice From Former Capstone Students
Below are the responses of former GEN 411 students asked for the most important piece of advice that they could give to other students just beginning their Capstone projects. (NB: These comments were collected during assessment of Dr. Erion's GEN 411[01-F] course on May 6, 2005.)
- [As you begin], keep your topic broad. While researching you will probably find dozens of [possible] directions [for your paper, but as you collect] more information[,] you can start narrowing down to the eventual topic.
- Some advice I can give is that you pick a topic that interest[s] you. Next[,] use Dr. Erion -- he is a great tool and resource. Use an outline inside the paper [...]. Work on it as early as possible because classes and tests will pop up and you will have to study for them.
- The single most important piece of advice I can give is [to be sure of] your topic within the first two weeks of class. That would be the best time to change [your topic] if you are considering [it]. Also, the most helpful thing I did to complete my project was to spend serious time at the Buffalo Public Library. They have great resources and quiet areas where you can research effectively. You could practically get all of your research in one day -- but beware of the Library's late charges!
- Be organized from the beginning and keep track of all info [received from your] teacher. Start your research right away! If you have a group[,] meet with them -- I assure you another [reader] can show you [important aspects of your paper] that you maybe [overlooked]. Don't be afraid to vent and ask Dr. Erion for help -- he's there for a reason, use him!
- Divide your paper with [your] outline, then use different sections of the outline as different files when typing. It is much easier and not as stressful when you have smaller parts to look at.
- [Thirty] pages seems like a lot, but if you do one page a day[,] it's not bad. Make an outline and follow it. And most of all[,] don't procrastinate.
- Don't wait [until] the last day [to] get help from [anyone] who you think can help -- other teachers, librarians, friends, your teacher.
- If you play a sport, get most of the paper done before the heart of the season. Don't wait until the end of the semester to do the paper.
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