In 2004, I was one of the last cohorts who still had to take a diploma thesis at the then University of Applied Sciences (FH in Germany) for business administration. Soon after that came the Bachelor’s classes. A thesis awaited both graduates at the end of their studies. The one for the diploma was much longer than the one for the bachelor’s degree today. But the task is similar and the same scientific methods are used. From that time, I still have a few small experiences in shop that I can recommend to other business graduates to perhaps come away with a better grade.
Tip #1: Proofreading
It’s funny, but in 8th grade I knew every rule for comma placement by heart and hardly ever made a mistake when placing them. Over the years, this knowledge somehow got lost. In more and more situations, I wondered whether a comma should be placed or not. This problem went so far that I handed in my thesis without having it read by others. It was graded 2.3 instead of 2.0, just because I had so many comma errors in it. The professor thus lowered my entire thesis by one grade level. Fortunately, I still found work despite this. But you can save yourself this problem and turn to a bachelor thesis editing service. There, such mistakes are corrected by professionals.
And not only that. Some subject-specific proofreaders also look at the content. They can then identify factual errors and give a hint as to where reworking is needed. This investment is worthwhile. Because commas are one thing. Errors in content or subject matter have even more serious consequences.
Tip #2: Choose the topic yourself
As a young man I was a dork, I openly admit. I went to the professor and asked if he had a topic for me. He gave me one that I had absolutely no interest in. The literature on the subject was pretty meagre. I still wonder today how I managed to get a 2. My motivation was zero. Accordingly, the performance level of most people then drops.
At some point, by chance, I met a fellow at a club sporting event whom I hadn’t even seen at the FH. He told me that he had achieved a 1.0 grade in his diploma thesis. The topic he chose was a comparison between managerial legend Michael E. Porter and Sun Tzu. It was about how they set up their strategies. An incredibly interesting topic. I would have loved to buy the book immediately if there had been one. He said that he was privately interested in it and had approached the professor with this suggestion.
And that’s exactly what matters. Find a topic that interests you so that you are fully motivated. Maybe you can even publish a book or an eBook that generates sales. It’s so easy these days with Amazon Direct Publishing.
Tip #3: That little extra from press articles
I had a good textbook for economics in my undergraduate studies. Complex theories were always explained there. Many of the aspects were then accompanied by a practical example from history. Such little “anecdotes” enrich a scientific work immensely. So I did the same in my diploma thesis. It was about controlling and target costing etc. Again and again I inserted such “from practice” sections. So the bibliography was not only dominated by dried-up old books, but countless press articles. The professor was enthusiastic and this aspect was even particularly praised in the assessment.
