Basic Principles
- This is your thesis, not theirs. You are responsible for managing all aspects of the project and ensuring there is sufficient progress.
- You must meet weekly with your advisor, no matter what.
- Be organized and make the most of each meeting by preparing an agenda. Send Outlook calendar invitations and (if applicable) zoom links.
- Immediately after your meeting, follow up with an email summarizing what you discussed.
- “Manage up.” It is up to you to get what you need out of the advising relationship.
First advisor meeting: Sample Agenda
Before your first meeting, send your advisor the assignments you prepared in HONS 330.
- Briefly explain why you chose this thesis project. How did you decide to pursue it? Why are you excited about it?
- Establish shared expectations about
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- The length of the final paper
- The format (MLA, APA, etc.)
- The scope and number of sources you’ll use
- The goals/take-aways of the project, including the structure, elements of the paper.
- Establish weekly meeting schedule.
- Establish benchmarks for semester progress that work in conjunction with the HONS 340 syllabus. You will need more frequent deadlines than exist in HONS 340.
- Set 3-5 action items that you will complete before the next meeting.
Weekly Meeting Agenda
Create a brief agenda before each of your weekly meetings. Spending just 5 minutes preparing will make your meetings much more useful. Make notes during the week (especially in HONS 340 class meetings) about what you want to talk about. Bring 2 printed copies with you to your meetings.
Sample Agenda
- Review last week’s action items and review progress.
- If you encountered obstacles to your progress, assess and ask for guidance. a
- Summarize what you have read.
- Summarize what you have written.
- Ask questions.
- Assess progress on semester benchmarks.
- Set action items for the next week.
Managing Email
If you need to email your advisor outside the parameters of the weekly meeting described above, make sure your correspondence is professional and efficient.
- Use a descriptive subject
- Articulate clearly your question or request.
- Provide sufficient background/context
- Be courteous
Troubleshooting the Thesis Advisor-Advisee Relationship
Below are some common issues that arise during the thesis process. Students are encouraged to seek advice from their HONS 340 instructor and/or DHI Director on negotiating this relationship successfully.
“My advisor hasn’t replied to my email.”
Thiel faculty have many responsibilities and during certain times in the semester responding to email can be difficult. Writing out thoughtful emails can take far longer than discussing in person. Use these strategies.
- Collect your thoughts and questions for the weekly meeting.
- Stop by for a brief check-in during your advisor’s posted office hours.
- After at least 3 days, follow up for a response. Make sure your email follows the guidelines above.
“My advisor and I don’t agree about my project.”
Setting clear expectations in the first advisor meeting should help avoid this situation. But if gaps emerge between you and your advisor, here are some strategies:
- Repeat back to your advisor what they are asking of you. In your meeting, say: “I want to make sure I understand your expectations for this project. You would like me to write/analyze….. You see my argument as…..”
- In some cases, students have misunderstood or mistranslated their advisors.
- If you have understood their expectations correctly and there is a significant gap, explain your goals and plans for the thesis. If they have concerns, ask them to explain.
- Again, use the above technique repeat back their concerns to make sure you have understood them.
- Negotiate and seek a compromise.
