Term projects are misunderstood, mismanaged, and underestimated. For most of the semester, they can be found at the shores where all academic procrastinations wash up. Prioritized barely over pop quizzes, term projects progress from conception to completion during the last two weeks of the semester. Given that the project is also a team effort, the compressed schedule alongside interpersonal dynamics contributes to a great deal of stress. A consequence is that term projects end up sputtering across the finish line. This is lamentable.

Why bother? Here’s why: done right, a term project demonstrates creativity, technical sophistication, and perseverance. Can you think of something else that packs so much punch? Term projects are very gratifying, and you can draw on the skills you hone many, many times. Such a project is also worthy of inclusion in your resume, where it sheds new light on you. I will go over what constitutes a good term project and how to get there. Spoiler alert: it is not that hard!

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