Putting a “Cap” on the Stress of Capstone

By: Elle N.

We all have that one topic that makes us squirm in our seats when we overhear people talking about it around us, as we ache to jump into the conversation. That interest or hobby that we feel the need to express our passion for, or have a burning curiosity to learn more about. Dinosaurs. Teeth. Vampires. Cats. Axolotls. Bananas. Human brain. Sports. Taylor Swift. Faith Wendel. You get the gist. Whatever idea that comes to your mind—no matter how random, it can transform into a perfect Capstone project. 

It is your freshman year at SEM. Seniors are buzzing with emotion about this demanding yet rewarding project. You hear about SEMposium coming up and you’re sent a list of topics, times, and locations. But what does it mean? What is it? 

At the end of your junior year, you will be asked to start brainstorming your Senior Capstone project. This will be a pivotal moment in your SEM career. But don’t stress! Allow your mind to ponder, your beating heart to slow, and your sweaty palms to dry (be prepared for the sweaty palms). You might jump to a topic immediately. You’re all set to go. You know exactly what you’re about to become even more of an expert on than you already are. Or maybe that’s not the case. Maybe you have no idea what you’re interested in. And that is okay too. You have time to choose and change and mend and mold your Capstone. 

You are likely still wondering what Capstone even is. You know you have to pick a topic, you know it happens as a senior, and you know it involves a presentation. But it is much more involved than that, and while that might sound intimidating, all of your time and research truly will pay off if you remain confident, calm, and accountable. 

Capstone is composed of several sub-projects that work together to develop your expertise. Each student is assigned to a teacher mentor who guides them through the process, answers questions, and offers advice. To complete your Capstone, you will write an essay (yes, an essay), but if you choose a topic you truly adore, the essay is both informative and enjoyable. 

Additionally, you will have to find time to interact with your community in any way possible. It does not have to be boring, basic, or overbearing. Do something that you want to do! Volunteer somewhere, interview someone, go out into the world and absorb knowledge you have been dying to learn about—or don’t! Find another way to enhance your project by getting involved outside of school. The possibilities for your community interaction are endless. 

Buttttt, what about SEMposium? Should I worry about the presentation? Nope! SEMposium is the day that looms over your head as soon as Capstone kickstarts, but you must trust that you will be prepared to present all of the research you have conducted for months. More than likely you will have so much to share about your topic that you’ll need to even condense your presentation. Words will seem to flow from your mind as you speak about everything you have learned about your topic in a seemingly effortless manner. 

On this exciting day, seniors present their Capstone during an assigned time slot in which students, faculty, and guests attend! One SEMposium date occurs in the fall, and the other in the spring. The audience members can choose which Capstone to attend for each given time slot. The seniors themselves are likely nervous, but when it is your time to present, you must remember that the audience is excited, proud, and amazed at all the work you have put in, which means you should be as well. 

In order to complete a successful Capstone, time management is incredibly important. Many seniors will conclude that the journey was not quite as rocky as they anticipated if they were responsible about time. There will be hills, valleys, and a basic checklist that you will navigate through,  but if everything is completed in a timely manner, it truly is more than manageable—and no, I am not just saying that. You will begin brainstorming your Capstone at the end of junior year, where you build a base that will serve as a catapult for you when you are a senior, launching you into the depths of your research. This time as a junior is valuable. This is when you choose the general idea for your topic, and begin the surface of your research. Once you settle on a topic and type it into the Google search bar for the first time ever, everything else will begin to flow. Your mind will start churning and your Capstone will gradually unfold. 

Not only is Capstone an academic requirement in order to graduate SEM, but it is also an opportunity to truly revel in whatever interests you most. There is so much creativity and self-determination that goes into it, making it a very personal and authentic experience for every student. Although the basic requirements are the same for everyone, your Capstone experience is ultimately up to you and can be life-changing if approached with enthusiasm, patience, and passion.

Fast forward to your senior year. You’ve conquered the process. You’ve put in the work. You have now spent three years at SEM attending a total of six SEMposium days and presenting at your seventh (or eighth depending on the trimester you’re assigned to). You thank the audience for attending your Capstone and glance up at your slides presentation for the final time as applause permeates the room. Never have you felt more relieved, more proud, and more surprised. Surprised it’s over. And surprised that it all really was not as daunting as you anticipated! 

With all that being said, there is more about Capstone to learn and tackle. This overview was just to give you a brief gist of what is coming your way, and some words to hopefully calm your nerves—if you had any at all. If approached thoughtfully, and with a topic you truly care about, the Capstone experience will be more of a positive one above all else, giving you the opportunity to delve into whatever your favorite thing in the world is, whatever excites you the most. Although you will need some scholarly sources for your research, and though I wouldn’t doubt it in the future, I am not quite sure there are any professional journals on Faith Wendel at this point in time—but who says you can’t be the first to write one?

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