Still Writing, Still Surviving: Life After the First Thesis Panic

 A few weeks after the seventh semester began, the panic surrounding the word thesis hasn’t disappeared. Instead, it has changed shape. For Dara, the confusion about choosing a topic has slowly turned into something more concrete. After several consultations with her supervisor, she finally narrowed her ideas down to two possible topics. “It’s still not fixed,” she said, “but at least now I know what I’m working toward.”

This stage, many students realize, is less about perfection and more about persistence. Revisions come more often than expected. What seemed like a “good enough” idea last week can suddenly feel weak after one feedback session. Yet, small progress like approved titles or corrected proposals feels like a quiet victory.

Group chats that were once filled with complaints now mix anxiety with encouragement. Students share supervisor schedules, reference links, and sometimes just emotional support. Behind the jokes and late-night messages, there is a shared understanding: everyone is struggling, just in different ways.

The pressure hasn’t gone away, but it no longer feels paralyzing. It has become part of the routine. Slowly, students learn that writing a thesis is not a single moment of brilliance, but a long process of doubt, revision, and growth. They may still feel tired and unsure. But compared to the first week, they are no longer standing still. They are moving forward, one paragraph, one revision, and one meeting at a time.