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Long and Winding Road to Commencement: Seniors on Life Post-Thesis

With thesis deadlines marking the end of months of research and writing, many seniors are now finding a new, brighter outlook on social life at Harvard in the last leg of the race.

"It's nice just having free time and being able to sleep," said Christine Kawakami '98. Kawakami left for spring break in the Bahamas with her roommate the day after turning in her thesis. "That was our release," she said.

Scott Y. Kim '98 has been spending these last few weeks socializing with friends and relaxing.

"I've been playing more basketball," Kim said, adding that like many second-semester seniors, he has been sleeping a lot more.

Added leisure time is one bonus seniors cite post-thesis. However, many are eager to forego extra rest in order to address responsibilities neglected during weeks of late-night typing.

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Michael I. Sugarman '98 said his post-thesis euphoria lasted for about two days. "The entire bulk of the backload of work that accumulated when I was working on my thesis has presented itself, and I have to deal with it," he said.

Sugarman, like other seniors, is now seizing the chance to try activities he has always wanted to attempt during his time at Harvard, but never had the time for.

"I want to take up needlepoint and skydiving, and I feel like I can. Now I feel like all these things are an option," Sugarman said.

Kendra S. Lider-Johnson '98 has been planning her leisure activities for weeks.

"I made myself a whole list of things I wanted to do two weeks before my thesis was due, in order to see the light at the end of the tunnel," Lider-Johnson said.

In the wake of thesis deadlines, many seniors are simply enjoying the opportunity to relax without academic or career pressure. For these students, the months of April and May provide a much needed break before embarking on graduate school or professional endeavors.

Sugarman said the first few hours after finishing a thesis are the most joyful for stressed-out seniors.

"I finally handed in the thesis an hour and a half late. I slammed it down on the desk of the receptionist, I turned around and there was a bouquet of flowers waiting from my thesis advisor," he said. "I had this terrific feeling of warmth and generosity for all people. I just started bestowing favors on everybody."

But for some seniors, a March dead-line is not the last word on thesis.

"My thesis is done, but it has to be worked on a lot more," said Lauralee Summer '98.

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