How will Garfield deal with his Thesis Research Proposal?

Jon has decided to break the thesis research proposal to Garfield in bits. Although the process is manageable, the list of requirements for the research proposal may just overwhelm Garfield to giving up. In Jon’s plan, he would dictate each subsection of the research proposal one at a time, only telling Garfield the complete list when it’s already halfway finished.

The first task for the thesis research proposal is the title page. It seems easy enough so Jon asked Garfield to make a title page to jumpstart his thesis project.

Let’s see how Garfield will carry out this first step of his thesis research proposal.

Garfield and the Thesis Research Proposal

Just the other day, Garfield asked the next step to his thesis work. When Jon responded that Garfield’s next task is to organize a thesis research proposal, Garfield grew solemn and thoughtful.

Jon got thoughtful, too. The thesis research proposal is no easy task. And with Garfield’s disposition of adorable idleness, Jon must break the tasks to Garfield in short and manageable bits. He knows bombarding Garfield with a long list may just frustrate him and sway him to give up.

Looking over the public library, here is what Jon gathered about the components of the thesis research proposal:

• Title Page
• Abstract Page
• Table of Contents
• Introduction
• Thesis Statement
• Literature Review
• Methodology and Approach
• Implications of Research and Conclusions
• Bibliography

Now, Jon is thinking of breaking this to Garfield… gently.

Garfield’s Next Thesis Step

General Thesis Topic… check!

Narrow Thesis Topic… check!

Thesis Advisor… check!

Another Thesis Advisor… check!

That’s the extent of Garfield’s thesis adventure. He’s really prep up to do the next step. So, Garfield asked Jon, his thesis advisor #2, what his next move should be now that he has a good topic and advisors to guide him.

Upon reflection, Jon answered that Garfield must now prepare a thesis research proposal.

A thesis research proposal… hmmmm, it definitely sounds major to Garfield.

Garfield’s New Thesis Advisor

Jon remains gloomy. Garfield decides to call on Dr.Liz to ask her help on Jon’s mood, and of course, to also ask her on when will be their first meeting as thesis advisor/student.

Now, Dr.Liz, ever the perceptive girl, reveals that maybe Jon was being so gloomy because Garfield did not pick him to be the thesis advisor. Dr.Liz mentioned that Jon was really excited to help out in Garfield’s academic work. Maybe he’s feeling rejected.

Garfield’s feeling guilty. He didn’t realize that Jon wanted to help this much. Garfield chose Dr.Liz because he feels she’s very qualified with his thesis topic on catfood. She’s his doctor after all, she would definitely detect what’s proper food for him. Garfield told her so.

Dr.Liz agreed to that, but she also mentioned that she’s not very familiar with the thesis steps. It’s Jon’s forte, not her.

With that, Garfield decided to have two thesis advisors for his thesis work. Dr.Liz will be in-charge for the specialized topic on cat food, while Jon will act as guide in the thesis writing process. Dr.Liz assured Garfield that having two thesis advisors, is acceptable, though not normal to most students. A student must ensure that the two advisors will work together in harmony, not fight tooth and nail for authority.

Dr. Liz then assured that she and Jon will work well together to help Garfield on his thesis.

Garfield can’t wait to tell Jon and see his nerdy excitement once again!

Garfield and Jon’s Sadness

It’s been several days after Garfield’s announcement that he’s choosing Dr.Liz, Jon’s girlfriend and Garfield’s own vet, as his thesis advisor.

Jon has been awfully quiet since then. He’s not his usual excited and dopey self, which makes Garfield a bit uncomfortable. As much as he treats Jon as this bothersome housemate, he also doesn’t want the man moping around the house. Now, Garfield is finding himself talking to Jon to cheer him up. He calls Jon whenever Binky the clown’s show comes up or when Odie does his usual pathetic doggy tricks. But nothing’s happening to boost him from his melancholy moods.

Why is Jon depressed? We need to help Garfield find out why, as he’s having trouble continuing with his thesis when there’s this dark cloud in the house.

Garfield's Hunt for a Thesis Advisor

Nermal, while accidentally providing Garfield's one great thesis topic, had not much use for anything else. All he did during his 3-day stay was primp and act cute for anyone who would take notice. Thus, when it was finally time for him to leave, Garfield couldn't help but open the door for him, then slam it close after!

With Nermal gone, Garfield can now have peace and quiet for his many naps and tv appointments. And yes, for his thesis project, too.

However, now that he has a topic, Garfield doesn't quite know what to do next. Is it time to write already? If it is, where will he start his writing? How many pages will it take? Will nine pages be okay? In Garfield's opinion, ten pages seemed too long.

Hmm, speaking of thesis pages, Garfield couldn't help but remember one particular instance. Not so long ago, Garfield has heard this nasty rumor that thesis papers can be as thick as a book when finished. He remembered laughing then. Now, he's not so sure. And he's scared to find out the truth.

It was at that time that Jon passed by the couch. He might have gone on into the next room, if only he didn't see Garfield's expression. Garfield looked confused, nervous, and a little cross-eyed to him. When he asked if everything's okay, Garfield leaped into Jon and confessed that he's bewildered by his thesis. He simply doesn't know where to continue, now that he has chosen his topic.

Smiling, Jon said it was understandable to be confused. Garfield doesn't even have a thesis advisor to guide him yet. Garfield, ignorant of all things related to thesis, then asked what a thesis advisor is. Patiently, Jon explained how a thesis advisor functions:

"Garfield, the thesis advisor is very important for the thesis writer. It is the advisor that works and collaborates with the thesis student in coming up with a great thesis project. As the advisor is there to supervise and guide, he should be someone that the writer greatly trusts, someone very knowledgeable about the thesis topic, someone who will have the time to guide the writer…So, who do you think should be your thesis advisor, Garfield?"

Jon confidently puffed up his chest and waited for the answer.

Garfield thought for a second. Then, as if Jon was giving him a clue with his puffed chest and smug smile, he suddenly caught on. There is a person perfect to be his thesis advisor. Garfield immediately blurted out: "My thesis advisor will be…Dr.Liz!"

Garfield Discovers his Final Topic

Yes. It really took Garfield a month to decide on the topic. That's what happens sometimes when he gets rattled about something; he sleeps on it, then he sleeps on it some more (good thing then that Garfield is not in school, or else he would really get behind on the thesis assignment). He might even have went on sleeping and ignoring the topic for a couple months more, if only that pesky Nermal didn't give him a great topic idea.

It was actually last Saturday when Nermal came to visit unannounced (and unwelcomed, in Garfield's personal opinion). As usual, Jon went about fawning on how especially adorable Nermal is that day; while Garfield, disgusted with the whole scene, went about to look for food.

And so, half an hour later, that's how Nermal found him: in the kitchen, polishing a big batch of lasagna. Nermal, trying to look cute as can be, then innocently shared that he has tried a recipe of fish lasagna, but that he doesn't think it will be an appropriate cat food for him.

Garfield, licking his paws clean in time for a napbreak, paused at Nermal's words. Then, it him! There are the three topics he has been mulling over for a month: Fish, Lasagna, Cat food. Nermal, the one-time genius, has managed to link all those topics into one thought. Garfield doesn't have to decide on which topic to choose, after all. He can just combine all three!

After a couple of minutes more, topic selection was finally settled. Garfield will write about the practicality of fish lasagna as cat food.

Garfield is just so delighted with this new turn of events. He almost kissed Nermal out of appreciation. Almost.