I have two weeks to pick a capstone topic and my guidance counselor says I need a narrow focus—what’s a realistic way to decide?

The quickest way to lock in a realistic capstone topic is to start with a single question that your project can answer, then build the rest of the scope around that question. Think of it like a research elevator pitch: “How does X affect Y in the context of Z?” Once you have that one sentence, every choice you make—literature, methodology, data—must serve it. For instance, imagine you’re a senior in environmental science who’s fascinated by urban green roofs. A broad idea might be “green roofs and city sustainability.” Narrow it down to, “What is the impact of green roof installation on stormwater runoff in downtown Springfield over a five‑year period?” That question is specific enough to guide data collection (rain gauge readings, runoff measurements), yet broad enough to allow depth (analysis of cost‑benefit, policy implications). A professor will see that you’re not just throwing a topic at the wall; you have a clear, testable problem. To move from question to plan, sketch a three‑step roadmap: 1) Identify a small, accessible data set or case study that can be completed within the two‑week window—maybe a local municipality’s stormwater logs or a single building’s green roof. 2) Choose a single analytical method that you’re comfortable with, such as a simple statistical comparison or a cost‑effectiveness model. 3) Outline the deliverables: a concise literature review, a methodology section, results, and a discussion that ties back to your original question. As you write, keep the focus on answering that one question; if a new idea pops up, ask whether it directly informs the answer or merely distracts. By treating the capstone like a tightly scoped research paper, you’ll finish on time and still produce a piece of work that feels meaningful and thorough.