Kaho Morikawa, a presenter from the Department of Sociology at the Graduation Thesis/Project Poster Conference AY2025, kindly shared her reflections on the experience and offered advice for future students.

Participating in the Graduation Thesis Conference was both a rewarding and memorable experience. Before the event, I was very nervous. Although I had spent many months researching and writing my thesis, presenting my work to professors and classmates felt as if I was being tested on it. However, it was much more exciting. Rather, I realized I was excited to share my findings and noticed that people were genuinely interested in my research. Before I even knew it, my nervousness was gone, and the few hours went by quickly.

My thesis explored gendered perceptions of food sustainability in Japan through interviews with university students. When creating my poster, I paid special attention to making the information visually clear and easy to follow. Since there was limited space, I had to carefully select the most important findings and present them using concise text. Even though I prepared a script, I ended up presenting without it. Through this, I realized that all of the effort I had put into writing my thesis had already prepared me to present confidently, which convinced me that my dedication to the thesis had paid off.

During the conference, I enjoyed discussing my research with people who had different perspectives and questions. Their feedback encouraged me to think more deeply about my findings and helped me appreciate the broader significance of my research. It was especially rewarding to see that others found the topic relevant and engaging.

Looking back, I feel proud of how much I have grown throughout this process. The conference was not only an opportunity to present my work but also a final opportunity to showcase the skills I developed throughout my undergraduate years, including research, critical thinking, public speaking, and communication.

For future students, I really encourage taking the opportunity to write a bachelor’s thesis; it truly feels rewarding. Even though preparing a poster after all the hard work put into writing the thesis may be draining, the conference is the only time to share your efforts and hear other presenters’ research as well. The conference may seem intimidating at first, but it is a valuable experience that allows you to celebrate everything you have accomplished.