The EPQ: Not just a project, but a challenging journey… Fasten your seatbelts, because I am about to hand you the map.
The Extended Project Qualification is a formidable undertaking that requires a high degree of independence, intellectual discipline, and strong time-management skills. With that being said it is also a unique opportunity to write a deep, passionate dissertation about anything in the world that interests you!
My EPQ was on the relationship between religious spirituality and the physical public health of people in the USA – a topic truly fascinating to a science student like me, if perplexing and perhaps unappealing to others. The question you choose is a critical first step. One that can make you regret or prosper in your choice of embarking on an EPQ. From writing about Jane Austen’s juvenilia to Taylor Swift’s impact on the music industry, NOTHING is off limits, the more unique the better. However, it should not be too recent or controversial, rather it should allow for substantial scholarly research, credible sources, and the possibility of a well-defined conclusion. Essentially, it should be something that will keep you eager to explore and learn more about it.
One of the biggest tools of our generation is AI. However, using it to write your EPQ is a big NO. AI checkers and detectors will be used by teachers, and it is crucial that your authentic opinion stands out. Having a complete and thorough understanding of your topic is crucial for the end-of-project interview with your supervisor as well, in which you will be expected to respond to probing questions with confidence. Plus, having extra information on fields, you might be pursuing for university will help you stand out in your interview as well as in your Personal Statement.
When starting this journey, I was introduced to Project Q which is more than a website; it was my personal journal – a repository for every thought, idea, and reflection I had, meticulously dated and recorded. From brainstorming my title to writing my reflection, it was a gateway to my mind and helped hone my writing and research skills.
An important lesson I learnt along the way was ‘more is always better’. The examiners want to see evidence of the depth of your engagement, from the reams of research you’ve conducted to the articles/books you deemed not relevant to your topic. It’s where you add your best laid plans, and report on how well you’re following through with them.
Perhaps the most difficult lesson I learned was the sheer amount of time necessary to produce an EPQ with which one can be genuinely satisfied. I had been warned repeatedly that ‘time-management is crucial,’ yet I too often ignored my self-imposed deadlines in the hope that everything would somehow come together in the end. This ultimately led to long, exhausting stretches of research and writing condensed into a few weeks. It is one of the things I most regret about my EPQ journey. So, please learn from my experience: resist the temptation to leave work until the last minute, regardless of how confident you may be in your ability to cram!
Equally significant to the research and writing phase, is the exhibition phase, where your research is distilled into a display board. Far from being a decorative exercise, the board acts as a visual summary of your journey, highlighting key findings, reflections, and supporting evidence. A clearly structured presentation – with concise explanations, relevant images, and logical organisation – not only demonstrates the depth of your research but also your ability to communicate complex ideas in an accessible and engaging way.
And finally, after praying for its quick delivery, crossing days off your calendar, counting the hours, minutes and seconds; you hit submit with over a thousand drafts, paragraphs, grunt work and one complete dissertation. And with an immense sense of relief and accomplishment, you turn the final page of this chapter.
