I can pass along some do’s and don’ts. Do the literature review and don’t avoid it, your entire project will be sloppy and not hang together if you do not do an effective scan before you move into your research. Do not underestimate the time it will take to write chapters four and five. If you want to be proud of your work, those two chapters need to contain your real learning’s, and you will need your passion for the topic in the writing process at those points.

One final point I want to suggest is about the way you select your Supervisor. My experience was positive but was different from some of my classmates, and so I reflected on what worked for me:

1. I located some of the writing of my potential Supervisor and read the work to establish a feel for the individual.
2. The decision to work together was only made after several discussions to ensure common areas of interest.
3. I was given information about what to expect for feedback and the overall process and schedule for the major project.
4. My Supervisor sent numerous reference suggestions, links to current information, and samples to illustrate style and content.
5. My Supervisor challenged me to do my best, while always making me feel like I could.

Conclusion

This entire masters program and major project experience has been practical and applicable to my daily work and life—almost immediately and throughout the two year process. I cannot wait for the next step in the journey.