Choosing A Project Topic And The Joy Of Being In Final Year

Hurray, I am a final year student.

The joy of being in the final year is un-explainable.

Finally, you are going to see how life is outside the four walls of a university and start life all by yourself.

While this is very interesting, choosing a project topic is very crucial.

Choosing the right project topic will give you exposure.

It will give you insights on what you can do during your master’s degree.

Likewise, just as much as you want to please your project supervisor, don’t be over-ambitious.

Factors To Consider Before Choosing A Project Topic

• Your Interest

What interests you is what you most probably be happy doing.

Lack of interest in a project topic will soon make you very frustrated.

As a mechanical engineering student, I have met colleagues who told me they won’t dare go into machines and design.

This is not because they do no have idea about it.

It’s because Machines and Design doesn’t interests them.

Choosing a topic from that area will be the case of dragging a horse to the river.

Of course, you know the rest of the story.

Your passion for your project topic is what will keep you going.

Choosing a project topic you have a passion for will make the work easier for you.

• Project Supervisor

You need a project supervisor who is adept in his field of study.

When I say a field of study, I mean the particular area he is specialized in.

Nowadays, Nigerian Universities do not give you a chance to choose your own supervisors at all.

What they do is share you into groups and assign supervisors to you.

While this is good, it also has a problem.

It’s better that way because there is a possibility that 70% of the class will want a particular lecturer to be their project supervisor.

This is normal but it’s worth it when you choose a supervisor who is knowledgeable about the particular topic you are working on.

Breaking that a bit further, I mean a Professor can be an expert in machines and design, but not in order areas of mechanical engineering.

Likewise, some supervisors give you topics to pick from.

While this is good, it is also not so good considering a typical Nigerian University.

It is good because the supervisor gives you a list of the topic he has sufficient knowledge about.

Although most times in this kind of situation, when you find yourself in a group, you can’t choose any longer.

At times, the supervisor does it in the form of a raffle draw (LOL).

He writes the selected topics in a plain sheet and folds them.

Students are then expected to pick.

Therefore, in that case, what should you do?.

I have a solution for that.

Find from your penultimate level who will be best to supervise you and be close to him.

When the time comes, he will influence it.

• Available Facilities

It is very important to take into consideration the materials, sources or resources available before choosing a project topic.

You need to choose a topic whose materials are not difficult to source.

Likewise, when you don’t have access to adequate testing laboratories, you have to beware.

If a project topic will make you travel out of the country if you have the resources why not.

But if you don’t, then consider choosing a project topic whose materials are readily available.

• Literature Review

Before choosing a project topic, ensure you search all related journals and literature.

Of course, you can utilize the library if someone has done such a topic before.

Likewise, there a numerous materials available online that you could need the help of.

You will be amazed at the tons of materials available online for your consumption.

Also, research on your supervisor because, in the long run, he will be the one in charge of grading you.

You can ask questions about his format of presentation and so on.

Finally, you can also make similar search phrases for your project topic to give you a better understanding and exposure.

I hope with all these few points, I have been able to convince you of what you should do before choosing a project topic.

If you think I missed out on anything, you can add it in the comment box.

Thanks for sticking with me on these.

O3SHCOOLS TEAM

Also, Read On

• How to remember 500% of what you have read
• Study effectively and Efficiently
• How to manage final Year exam Stress.