For science and economics concentrators in particular, "the main thing is the research," says Steven D. Chessler '86, a Biochemistry concentrator whose thesis--concerning gene regulation--will rely on experiments he has made with fruit flies.

"It's going more slowly than I thought it would," says Chessler, adding that the writing process could not really begin until he had results from his experiment. "Fruit flies take a while to multiply--but when they're fruitful, I'll get moving."

Economics concentrator Nina A. Mendelsohn '86 of Quincy House explains that an economics thesis is closer to science than to humanities, since it is based largely on a student-designed experiment. Mendelsohn is studying union organizing in open-shop states, and has sent questionnaires to union presidents around the nation.

Mendelsohn, interviewed moments after completing her first page, stressed the importance of the thesis advisor in the process. "A lot of my friends are getting tense now," she says, explaining, "if you find out that your advisor is no good, it really throws a wrench into the whole process."

Mendelsohn, who is working with Economics Lecturer James L. Medoff, has no complaints in that area. "My advisor's great," she says. "He's been really helpful. If I have a crisis, it's his crisis too."

"I'm trying to get myself to work consistently," Mendelsohn says. "Before, I spent about one afternoon a week on it, but I'll have to step that up now."

But--despite the best of planning--experience tells that there will be a run on No-Doz at the beginning of the spring.

Scott R. Sehon '86 of Lowell House says that a friend who graduated last year made him sign a piece of paper vowing that "I wouldn't be writing anything significant on my thesis in the last three days." Sehon adds that, when the time comes, "he's going to send it to me."