Ah. So, *this* is how it works:

Use the weekend to think about it. Go to office hours on Monday. Focus. Think of the idea (out of the many that are in the paper right now) that you want to write about most. Ah! there's your thesis. And now think through the setbacks (and even talk to some of your Kenyon people about them). You'll find that they were not setbacks, just more interesting complications. (This is a good thing.) On your walk home, smile to yourself as you think about how much easier this would be if you had a muse. Continue to smile when you realize that you actually do, in some ways. When you get home, map an outline. No, really: map it. Draw it out, diagram style. Organize your thoughts. Structure your ideas and themes. Write. Make some tea, and drink out of your Superwoman mug from the Alicia Keys concert. Breathe a little easier. And don't forget to take heart. You can do it. Just keep writing and thinking and developing and pushing. Now you're starting to get the hang of this thing.