Exploration of Freewriting and its Advantages
At Mathey College, a student is currently immersed in their Senior Thesis work during the intercession period. They have been writing in the Peter S. Firestone '62 room below the Mathey dining hall for four days, working tirelessly on their project.
In a recent article published in our blog Archives, the author emphasizes the importance of freewriting and typing as key components of thesis writing. They suggest that writing can lead to new ideas and that immersion is essential when learning a new language, a philosophy that can be applied to thesis writing as well.
The article, titled "Senior Thesis Planning," advocates for an exploratory mindset that views writing as a process of discovery rather than just a demonstration of knowledge. The author encourages thesis writers to start with puzzling questions about their field, allowing their ideas to flow without censor or predetermined conclusions through freewriting.
To achieve thesis immersion, the author recommends developing consistent routines. These include setting aside dedicated time for freewriting exercises, sharing writing with peers or mentors for feedback, and participating in structured writing workshops or immersion days. Reflecting on one's writing process and progress in small, manageable bursts is also advised, rather than waiting for perfection.
Additional tips include experimenting with different writing forms or perspectives, using varied media, and adopting playful or game-like approaches to writing. These tactics help maintain momentum and sustain engagement throughout the thesis writing process.
Another article in the same publication, under the category "Junior Paper (JP)," is titled "Senior Thesising 101: Choosing your Topic." Another article under the same category is named "Princeton Underground: A researcher's guide to lesser-known resources."
The author advises not to immediately judge what is written, as editing can happen later. They believe that this approach fosters a deep familiarity with the thesis topic and builds a writer identity, ultimately leading to a more immersive and successful thesis writing experience.
The Senior Thesis Planning article highlights the notion that adopting an exploratory mindset during thesis writing can lead to personal growth and self-development, emphasizing the importance of freewriting, immersion, and consistent routines. This approach can also be applied to the writing of a Junior Paper.
Effective learning and an immersive thesis writing experience can be attained by experimenting with different writing forms, perspectives, and media, maintaining momentum through playful or game-like approaches, and reflecting on progress in manageable bursts rather than waiting for perfection.
