The spiral-like nature of your academic life is particularly evident at the beginning of the academic year. No matter how experienced you are, it is always a bit chaotic. It offers the possibility of doing things better, or at least differently, this year.
It is easy to approach a new year with your eyes on the future and on what you want to improve. However, it is also a good time to reflect a bit on the past, paying particular attention to what has been going well. This makes it easier to imagine things going even better, and gives you some clues as to how you might improve those things that you want to improve.
This post is a round-up of what’s in the library here that might be particularly helpful at this time of year.
If you aren’t quite there yet but you can see the new academic year looming on the horizon:
Are you tempted to binge-write for the last few weeks of the break?
If the first week is overwhelming
Is the beginning of term chaos over yet?
Beginning of term chaos is temporary
If you are taking time to make some plans
Flexibility, Autonomy, and Boundaries
Managing your workload by creating containers
Turning summer writing plans into autumn writing plans
How much writing can you do in term time?
It is possible to write during term time
How does your work and life change during the academic year?
Balance, boundaries, and the whole you
Are you treating your research like a hobby?
Fatigue impairs cognitive function
Are you dropping the “eating well” ball?
If you would benefit from some help …
The Academic Writing Studio has resources for figuring out what works for you and planning your schedule to create boundaries and ensure your priorities get attention during term time, and a community to share ideas, celebrate successes, and commiserate over the inevitable bad weeks.
A full membership also includes A Meeting With Your Writing, a synchronous meeting to help you keep your commitment to write regularly (90 minutes writing time guaranteed).
Deciding priorities is hard. There is so much you want to do, alongside all the stuff you feel like you have to do. You’ll still be busy, but if you are finding time to do the things that are most important to you – that feels really different.
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