Since passing Div III, I’ve been reflecting on my experience—and there are a lot of things I wish I’d understood from the beginning. If you have not started Div III yet, here are three things you should know:
It’s more about the process than the product.
With many Div III projects, it is unrealistic to expect to be completely “done” in a span of eight months. Instead, think of Div III as a foundation on which to start building a project that can continue after you graduate.
I originally proposed writing and illustrating an entire novel. Although my committee told me my goal was impractical, I was still fixated on it for the first few months. The problem was, I was rushing. I was too focused on trying to make something “complete” and not on trying to make something good.
It took me an entire semester to realize I didn’t need to turn in something “finished.” It was more important that I handed in something well written.
Quality is more important than quantity.
At first, I assumed the only way to demonstrate progress of my Div III was to write several hundred pages. So I was surprised when my committee kept urging me to focus on something shorter.
Eventually, I realized it was more important to concentrate on revising and polishing a portion of my book, even if it wasn’t the entire story. My first draft was over 200 pages. The final draft I submitted—the first five chapters—was 31 pages. But despite its brevity, it was much more carefully written and edited than the lengthy first draft.
You learn the most from taking the biggest risks.
After my first semester of Div III, I started getting new ideas that made me reimagine my story. But with the changes I had in mind, I would have to start again. When I proposed the idea of starting over to my committee chair, she agreed to it right away. In fact, she encouraged me to start a new draft without even looking at the first.
This seemed like a terrifying decision at the time. But I’m thankful I made the choice and that my committee was so supportive of it. If I hadn’t taken the risk, the project wouldn’t be what it is today; I would still be tied to old ideas that were just not working.
From my own experience and from hearing of others’ experiences with Div III, I can say that you learn more—and end up with a better project—if you are willing to make big changes, learn from your mistakes, and listen to feedback from your committee and peers. Your Div III will change drastically from the beginning of the year to the end—and that’s okay. It’s a journey full of surprises, and it’s a rewarding experience if you are prepared to take chances.
