Work Schedule/New Semester Resolutions

[ProfLorax]

Hey hey hey current grad students! I love our field's flexible schedule, which is dictated by deadlines not hourly schedules. But, because of this flexibility, I find myself distracted during the day, and doing most of my work at nights or on weekends-- in other words, when my partner is home from work, when awesome events I want to go to occur, and when friends and family visit. My schedule last semester was more anti-social than I'd like, so I'm trying to commit to a Mon-Fri 9AM-5PM schedule next semester.

Given my goal, I'm curious how other grad students operate. What's your work schedule like? Any tips on how to stick to a schedule--any schedule?

Also, what resolutions do you have for the next semester?

[MsDarjeeling]

I wouldn't say that I have made any spring semester resolutions, but like you I don't want to waste the day and miss out on social opportunities.  When it comes to school work I find setting a schedule for when I'll be working on papers, research, reading, etc and putting that on my calendar is extremely helpful.  I put all the deadlines on there, set up reminders to study or get to the half way point or whatever.  I also schedule social outings as well so I don't feel like my life is nothing but work and there's no time for fun.  I force myself to make time for fun, which then forces me to be more productive.  I won't have any fun if I know I farted around and didn't get my work done earlier.  I also schedule short breaks during my study sessions so I don't burn out trying to work all day straight.

[ComeBackZinc]

I have recently moved on to the dissertation stage and so I am adjusting myself accordingly. I finished course work and comprehensive exams in two years. Last semester, I taught my first graduate class, worked as a research assistant, and workshopped two articles for publication, which I sent out this winter break. My goal is to defend my dissertation in Spring of 2015, which would be four years. It seems a bit crazy, particularly considering that it took me five and a half to finish undergrad, but my director has helped students graduate in four years many times before, and he's confident I can do it too. Tentatively, my goal is to defend my prospectus the first week of February, then write two chapters this semester and two in the summer, when I will be fellowship funded and won't need to work. The goal is to be ready for the job market this fall if the perfect job comes along. If not, I can always take advantage of my fifth year of funding.

 

Transitioning to this stage is gonna be tough, because I am someone who needs deadlines. So I'm working with my committee to ensure that they press me and give me firm requirements for when I submit chapters. I am trying to adopt the "a little bit each day" plan where I make a goal to make small but real positive progress every single day, so that I don't have to write big batches at a time. I am already filling a wall calendar with Xs. I also have a third article that I hope to be submission-ready in the next month or two. I would like to get another pub out of the way now so that I don't feel pressure to be submitting while I'm also working on the diss.

 

It's all very intimidating! It's a weird feeling to be working on the diss. But I love my project and I'm getting great support and feedback, so... onward.

 

PS Also, for me-- I have to work in the mornings. I'm just useless when it gets late at night. So I usually pop right up and get my best work done the very first thing.

Edited January 12, 2014 by ComeBackZinc

[ProfLorax]

When it comes to school work I find setting a schedule for when I'll be working on papers, research, reading, etc and putting that on my calendar is extremely helpful.  I put all the deadlines on there, set up reminders to study or get to the half way point or whatever.  I also schedule social outings as well so I don't feel like my life is nothing but work and there's no time for fun.  

That is brilliant, and a very helpful tip! Thank you. This past semester, my schedule looked something like: "Reading for Class A on Monday, Reading for Class B on Tuesday, etc," which meant that if I completed the reading by midnight, I considered myself successful. I like the idea of allotting specific times for specific tasks. 

 

I have recently moved on to the dissertation stage and so I am adjusting myself accordingly. I finished course work and comprehensive exams in two years. Last semester, I taught my first graduate class, worked as a research assistant, and workshopped two articles for publication, which I sent out this winter break. My goal is to defend my dissertation in Spring of 2015, which would be four years. It seems a bit crazy, particularly considering that it took me five and a half to finish undergrad, but my director has helped students graduate in four years many times before, and he's confident I can do it too. Tentatively, my goal is to defend my prospectus the first week of February, then write two chapters this semester and two in the summer, when I will be fellowship funded and won't need to work. The goal is to be ready for the job market this fall if the perfect job comes along. If not, I can always take advantage of my fifth year of funding.

Wow. Finishing in four years? That's impressive! You have a mighty heavy load, but it sounds like you have a specific and realistic plan to carry you through. Good luck, and keep us updated on your progress! 

 

Since I posted, I came up with two tricks to help myself keep to a schedule this upcoming semester. (1) Get out of bed when I wake up. Right now, I tend to pull up my laptop and veg for an hour or so before getting up to walk the dog. But no more! I am given myself ten minutes from the time I open my eyes to get out of bed and start the day. (2) Get out of the house. I think studying outside of the home will help me feel like my school work is a 9-5 job. I found a lovely cafe nearby with free wifi, so that should help. Still, it's hard given how cold it's been-- I really just want to stay under my piles of blankets with my pup snuggled up beside me. But I will be strong! 

[smellybug]

I recently went to a talk given by people in the diss. stage and found it extremely helpful. People like ComeBackZinc are really kind to share their experiences. Among their suggestions was to know when you do what best. In other words, don't force yourself to write when you're not going to be productive. Don't read at times of the day when you need to be doing something more dynamic. This was a lightbulb moment for me. I have always tried to force myself to write in the mornings because everyone everywhere for all time has told me to keep a 9-5, but it turns out that's counterproductive for me. I wrote all of my papers last semester in the evenings and it was so much less painful. On their advice I also stuck to 25 minute blocks (yes, I kept a timer) and, amazingly, my back didn't hurt at the end. 

 

As far as resolutions, I'm trying to be more outspoken in seminars. I have Docile Woman Syndrome wherein I second-guess every intellectual thought I have.

 

So far I'm doing a pretty good job.

[vanilla1983]

Last semester I set a goal of finishing my work by 8:30pm every night, taking a bath, and reading something for pleasure . . . I only let myself break the rule when I was REALLY excited about something I was writing, and wanted to ride the wave. I couldn't do a 9-5 because I tend to get a lot of work done between 5 and 8pm . . . and it's nice to have a few hours off in the middle of the afternoon to walk the dog, read the news, go for a bike ride, etc...

 

I totally agree with you Proflorax - getting out of the house to work during the day, even for just a few hours, is key

[iExcelAtMicrosoftPuns]

I find eating well helps.

Bananas are good, I like bananas.