# Timeline It is crucial that you plan backwards from the final due date of your document. For example if your deadline is April 13 for submitting your completed, reviewed document for format review, you will have numerous dates preceding it that may derail your timely completion. Recommendation: Whatever your due date for submission is, back it up by one month. ## Recommended Timeline of Completion |Sem|Coursework/Lessons|Recitals|Exams|Document Progress| |---|---|---|---|---| |**1**|Coursework, lessons, proficiency exams|—|—|Identify topic realm| |**2**|Coursework and lessons <br><br>MUS 773|**Qualifying Recital**|—|Narrow to feasible topics| |**3**|Coursework and lessons <br><br>MUS 773 (if not Sem 2)|Chamber Recital|—|Topic solidified, outlines/prospectus started| |**4**|Coursework and lessons|Chamber Recital (if not Sem 3)|History Comps|Research growing, rough chapter drafts| |**5**|Final coursework|Culminating Recital|Percussion Comps|Full rough draft completed over winter break| |**6**|Document & Lecture Courses only|Lecture Recital|Perc Comps if still needed|**Document due ~March 1st**| ## When should I start writing? Now. You should start sketching ideas, blurbs, and thoughts about topics from day one. You will be surprised how much thought-work you'll end up doing by the time you land on a topic. If that work is written out, you may already have usable prose. ### Research Seminar Is a mostly non-functional course. While it's intended to aide in the practice of preparing a prospectus and developing your research, it is often not delivered as such and should be considered ancillary. Do not rely on or wait for this course to help you with this document.