Rachel Kimball

Executive Functioning and Academic Performance: Exploring Relationships Between Subjective and Objective Measures in College Students with ADHD
Rachel Kimball, Psychology, 2026
Thesis advisor: Professor Jennifer Talarico

How and when did you select your advisor and the thesis committee members?
I selected my advisor and committee members toward the end of my junior year. I had been doing research with Professor Prabhu in Mechanical Engineering since my first year on campus, so I knew I wanted him involved in the process. His mentorship and feedback consistently pushed me to grow as a researcher. I also knew I wanted to complete my thesis in the Psychology department. After taking Cognitive Psychology with Professor Talarico, I saw how supportive and thoughtful she was as a mentor, so she was the perfect person to guide me through the thesis process. I also asked Professor Hannan if she wanted to join my committee, and her extensive research and clinical experience brought valuable perspectives to the project. In addition, I had previously worked with neuropsychologist Dr. Carolyn Cassill from Newton Neuropsychology Group in MA, where I had been interning since 2023. Dr. Cassill came on as an extra member of my committee. She helped me access materials and ensure my measures were appropriate and accurate for participants.

When did you start thinking about your thesis? How did you select your topic? How did you develop your research question?
I started thinking about my thesis during the spring of my junior year. At that point, all I knew was that I wanted to do something that involved learning disabilities, mental health, or neurodevelopmental disorders. Over the summer, I further refined my idea to be executive functioning and ADHD. I was working in the Gabrieli Lab at Massachusetts Institute of Technology over the summer, and I realized how passionate I was about this topic. Dr. Cassill told me about the clinical implications of this area which furthered my interest. I developed my research question toward the end of the summer by reading papers on my topic of interest, and I designed my methods at the beginning of the Fall semester.

Did your advisor explain the structure of a thesis project to you?
Yes! Professor Talarico sent me the guidelines of a Psychology thesis and a recommended timeline. This made the thesis process feel much more digestible. I knew some psychology students who did a thesis last year, so I knew some things about the process, but Professor Talarico’s resources were super helpful. Our early meetings gave me a clear picture of what the process would entail, and this guidance was instrumental. Understanding the larger picture of the thesis kept me motivated throughout the process.

Did you have to do a literature review? Had you ever done one before?
One of the first parts of my thesis was writing a literature review. I had done a few before during my research with Professor Prabhu, where I looked at creativity and eye-tracking differences between engineering students with and without ADHD. Despite this experience, I still find literature reviews to be the most challenging part of the research process. I have found that each literature review builds my skills more, and writing a literature review was critical in refining my methods.

Do you remember receiving correspondence from the library about your honors thesis?
Yes! I got an email over the summer about meeting with the librarians. It felt like the library was there to support me throughout the process.

What did you find most challenging about your thesis project?
The most challenging part of the thesis was writing. I found that some parts were harder to write than others (such as the introduction and discussion section). Overall, though, my committee’s feedback made my writing a lot better, and it felt easier as time went on. These challenges are what made the process rewarding.

What did you find most rewarding about your thesis project?
The most rewarding part of my thesis was finishing data collection. I had 51 data collection sessions in 28 days. This resulted in many early mornings and late nights. Seeing my spreadsheet filled with so much data was so gratifying because it meant I had so many students’ experiences included in my thesis.

What assistance did your advisor/department offer you throughout the course of the year?
Professor Talarico provided extensive feedback throughout the writing process. She also helped me determine whether my ideas were feasible and what would be required to implement them. I felt comfortable reaching out to her at every stage of drafting, which gave me a strong sense of structure and direction throughout the project. I felt like I could lean on my whole committee and they all brought different perspectives to the table. The Psychology department also supported my research by providing funding for me to print materials and compensate participants.

What other kind of support did you rely on throughout the year to accomplish your thesis (parents, friends, etc.)?
My friends and family helped me significantly throughout my thesis process. My family was there for me in so many little moments, such as calling me on my way home from data collection or letting me practice my defense for them. My friends and family were so supportive and helped me stay motivated even in moments where it became overwhelming. I feel very grateful to have such a supportive group of friends on campus who constantly cheered me on. My friends also helped me spread the word for participant recruitment. My thesis wouldn’t have been the same without them.

What advice would you offer other honors thesis students, especially in your department?
Take it step by step. It can be daunting to think about the long paper you’re going to write. While understanding the full picture is important, focusing on the present makes the process so much easier. Give yourself time to reverse-engineer a timeline of goals you’d like to accomplish each week. Once you have those weekly goals in place, that’s all you need to worry about at each moment. Seeing “finish methods section” is a lot more digestible than seeing “7 weeks left in the semester to do everything.” I would also take lots of time to reflect early on about who you want on your committee. Yes, you will spend hours upon hours upon hours on your topic, so it is good to love your topic. However, in my experience, the right committee matters so much more. My committee has been so supportive and at the same time has pushed me to put my best foot forward. A good committee (for you) will keep you motivated and enthusiastic, even in moments when the work is overwhelming. So take time to think about who will help you most, and you’ll thank yourself later.