SONG INSPIRATION
This blog is inspired by Tinashe’s No Drama. I find her beats catchy.
END OF THE SEMESTER
Spring semester 2018 is officially over. In terms of work, it’s been one of my more diligent semesters in graduate school (ranking behind the 2 semesters pre-quals). I’d describe it as a springboard–no pun intended–for my transition from grad school to the workforce. I’ve had several productive meetings and conversations about my dissertation, job prospects, and career. As a result, the remainder of my grad studies will be carried out with a “sense of urgency”. According to my advisor, “That does not mean stress.” And I aim to keep it that way. I’m really trying to plan ahead, because I do not want to spend the last few months of my graduate career writing twelve hours a day under a horrendous amount of stress. If I can produce drafts of two of my dissertation chapters (in the form of manuscripts) by the end of the year, then I will be in really good shape for 2019.
Advice: If possible, try to view transitions as opportunities for growth. Large transitions (e.g. moving across the country) can be harder. But smaller transitions (e.g. semester changes) are more manageable. Set some down-to-earth goals for yourself. Pick up a positive new habit or two. Although I’ve always struggled with larger transitions, I’ve always enjoyed the smaller ones. It’s a chance to get excited and do something new.
SUMMER 2018
This summer is a chance to implement a few strategies aimed at making grad life bearable and efficient while I work on my dissertation. For starters, I’m adopting a full five-day work week. The year leading up to my orals I worked 5–6 days per week (or ~55 hours per week). I don’t need to devote that much time again and my work ethic is much more efficient. For example, I’m now doing twice the amount of work in half the time. However, I’ve always worked less hours in the summer. The heat really takes a toll on your motivation. But I’m hoping that a change of a scenery and a well laid out plan will keep me focused and productive.
ONE YEAR OUT
I’ve talked a lot about wrapping up graduate school. So what does Sean’s world look like a year from now in spring 2019? Let’s assume things go more or less according to plan. A year from now I will have completed my technical review, meaning I am cleared to defend between 6–12 months after that. I will have submitted drafts of two of my dissertation chapters to my supervisory committee. At least one of those chapters should have been submitted to a journal for publication by then. I will also be working on a draft of my third chapter. I may or may not have results for my fourth chapter (a hush hush project). Whether or not that project works out is of no real consequence. I should have already met the three-chapter minimum. A year from now I will be job hunting. That hunt will include non-academic and academic jobs. Some of those jobs will be in the Phoenix metro area and others will be across the country (possibly da globe). That’s the game plan anyway, but you know what they say about the best schemes of rodents and homo sapiens.
Advice: I’ve found that sometimes having an overly detailed plan is too stressful. There’s nothing wrong with holding yourself to a high bar, but you also have to remember that life happens. Having a vaguer plan with wiggle room can be more helpful. You still have milestones you want (or need) to meet, but you’ll be less likely to think yourself a failure if everything doesn’t go exactly as planned.
PRIORITIES – THE EVOLUTION OF FRIENDSHIPS
There are times in people’s lives when they have to make a decision about maintaining relationships. This decision could be due to work, school, a change in location, etc. One of those times has arrived at my doorstep (and the doorsteps of some friends of mine). Many of us are graduating and/or wrapping up medical school and graduate school. We’re starting careers and/or having families. For us, maintaining relationships will become a scheduled and dedicated effort. Personally, I don’t have the time to keep up with all of the Kardashians (I am not for a SECOND implying my friends are like them. Issa joke). But that’s not really an issue, because most friends don’t remain friends. People grow up and apart and paths can diverge. That’s totally okay. Acquaintances can be super rewarding to one’s life. It all goes back to my word of the year (apparently): priorities. Who do you want in your life? Why? Is your life genuinely impacted by their presence? What do they add? We can keep friends around for a variety of reasons, but the strongest reason is usually history. Having a 10, 15, or 20-year relationship with someone represents a huge investment and a strong commitment. But life and time can work in concert to erode those bonds. But you shouldn’t feel obligated to keep people in your life who aren’t enhancing it. There’s nothing wrong with friends transitioning into acquaintances, although it can feel a little sad. That space is generally left open for new friends, people who are more in tune with your current stage of life.
Advice: If your friends still see you as the person you were 2, 5, 10, or 15 years ago, then that may be a problem. You change. You grow. There’s nothing wrong with reminiscing about the past, but your friends should also engage your present. Do your friends know your current hobbies? Do they know your other close friends? Do they know what makes you laugh? What makes you sad? The answers to these questions change over time.
CURRENT SHOWS
Currently watching: How to Get Away with Murder (s4); Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta (s7); New Girl (s6); Moonlight Mile; Westworld (s2)
Recently finished: A Series of Unfortunate Events (s2); Occupied (s2); Scandal (s7)
Thank you for reading! The next blog is scheduled for Thursday, June 7th. Until next time….
The Planetary Novelist 