The Universal Keys to a Sucessful Project by Megan

The Universal Keys to a Sucessful Project by Megan - December 2017 Scholarship Essay

Projects are a huge part of learning, no matter what school, education level, or topic is being studied. We stress over them, change them a dozen times, finally decide on a topic, and then rethink them all over again. By the time we finally decide on a topic, our time is often half gone and the stress begins to creep over us. We take meticulous care with some details and leave other ideas unfinished. Does this sound familiar? The vast majority of people will procrastinate and worry over projects like they are unsurmountable when, in reality, they are perfectly doable. My personal guide to a successful school project of any kind is approaching it early, thinking it through carefully, choosing a single topic, and revising each detail until I am satisfied that I have presented my best work.
As a general rule, I begin each project within the first two days of receiving the assignment. I start by carefully reading my rubric and requirements and taking the time to make sure I understand what is being asked of me. If I have questions, I ask the instructor as soon as possible and write down his or her response so that I do not forget. Then, it is time to start brainstorming.
I prefer to start each project with a few ideas in mind of the direction I want to take it. Of course, there are group projects where several people must agree on a single topic, so brainstorming as a group is vital. Whether alone or in a group, having at least three options but no more than five is handy because it narrows the search but also allows for change, should a topic prove to have too little information. I pick my top three and start there, looking into research on each one to make sure I fully understand the task I am undertaking. I think through the topics carefully before making my final selection.
At this stage, I finally make a decision on a single topic. There are several criteria that must be met in order for the topic to work. First, it must be able to meet all of the instructor’s expectations. I make sure of this by finding all the basic information the instructor has asked for. Second, I must be able to expand from the basics. There must be enough research or material for me to go beyond what is readily known and give my audience something new and more interesting. Finally, the topic should be able to be verified by several sources. If a topic cannot be accurately proven or recreated by more than two scholars, then it is likely not going to have the information I need, nor the support to be accurate.
I spend the days and weeks leading up to the due date of the project putting together a rough copy and then slowly enhancing the quality of my work. I may add a little known fact here and some added history there. I may even have a few slides of just for fun information, provided of course that this is acceptable to the instructor. I comb through it again and again, putting on the final touches. I may practice presenting it, if that is necessary, or review the topic many times with the group I may be working with to ensure that everyone is fully understanding the topic and our project. This continues until the due date or until I am absolutely certain that I can do no more to make the project more presentable.
I always strive to put my very best work forward. Whether in a group setting or alone, writing a research paper or creating a Power Point presentation, I try to complete every task to the best of my ability. I like to start early and finish the rough draft early so that I have time for any and all revisions before the due date. This helps relieve stress and allows me to catch more mistakes that I may have made. This process has helped me with every project I have ever done and I am proud to say that it has yet to let me down.