Tuesday, April 19, 2011

The "Thesis" - Getting Started On This Masters Research Paper (MRP)

Some people are calling it our thesis. Some people are calling it our Masters Research Paper or MRP. Whatever it is, I have to write one. As soon as possible. Under enormous time constraints.

How? Why?

Well, technically, this MRP isn`t due until August 13, 2011. Plenty of time, right? That`s four months away. I can kick off my sandals and go frolic in the sun all I want, right?.

No. Sit down, Barb.

Because, as per usual, I`ve put myself in another dilemma. Voluntarily. So, basically, I`ve been given a job for the summer, right for the beginning of July, ending the last week of August. And, theoretically, I should be happy about this job, right? Like, wooo, money for law school, that`s always good, right?

Well, I suppose. If it wasn`t for the fact that, because of this job, I have to move out of Kingston at the end of June.

And, because of this job, I have to hand in a FINAL DRAFT of this MRP by June 27, 2011. Two months earlier than the projected deadline. And (smack me now), I need to have a first draft written by the end of May.

In a month.

And did I mention the MRP should be 60 to 80 pages long?

Do you hear that sound? It`s me. Banging my head on my desk.

I don`t know why I did this to myself. I want this job, but that also means enormous pressure to get this MRP done before I start this job. I won`t have time to work on my MRP this summer, from home.

And, to top it off, I know nothing about part of my MRP topic.

Yeah. Goodbye, social life.

But, fine.

I`ll stop complaining. I won`t get anything done this way. Let`s get this started.

So. I need to get this done. And I will. (I don`t have a choice, do I?)

My MRP is a comparative paper on the politics of campaign finance reform in the Philippines and the United States, and its relationship to the representation of women in Congress (or successful outcomes from Congressional elections).

Interesting, right? I love my topic. I actually, literally love it. Doing this Masters degree just showed me how much I love the study of elections and political parties.

Problem is, I`m not the greatest expert on American politics, or American... anything. And so, studying campaign finance reform in the U.S. is mostly foreign to me (apart from what I`ve read in the news).

That`s why my shoulder hurts. I just took out 20 books from the library on American campaign finance reform and regulation, dumbed them in a Metro grocery bag, and lugged them home.

And so, dear readers, because of this limited knowledge on American politics,I have a favour to ask. If there`s anyone out there reading this who is an expert (or have some knowledge) on campaign finance reform (in the US or otherwise), please shoot me an email (located in the About Me section). You`ll be my new best best best best friend. And your knowledge will be greatly appreciated!

Now, I`m off to create a reading schedule for myself. I need to get writing, uh, soon. Wish me luck!

"In life, we all have an unspeakable secret, an irreversible regret, an unreachable dream and an unforgettable love."
- Diego Marchi

"I learned there are troubles of more than one kind.
Some come from ahead, others come from behind.
But I've bought a big bat. I'm all ready, you see.
Now my troubles are going to have trouble with me."

- Dr. Seuss

1 comment:

  1. I agree with you that whatever people would call it, it would be the same thing that people need to do to attain a higher degree of education. It can be a thesis help if people would treat it as more than just a requirement to graduate, but rather as an embodiment of their knowledge. Anyway, I do hope everything went well with your MA research project.

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