Grad15 mini-webinar series gives graduate students tips for productivity
Grad15 is a new weekly mini-webinar series tailored to address topics and challenges faced by graduate students in a timely manner. In our inaugural session, Work, interrupted: Productivity in times of change, we shared four tips on how graduate students can navigate the disruption of a changed environment:
The most important thing to remember is that in times like these, it's important to give yourself a grace period. We are creatures of habit, and we can't rush transition. This isn't the time to worry about perfection. We'll adapt to our new environments, but we need the mental and emotional headspace to do so.
Once you've given yourself time to adjust your expectations and frame of mind, create and try to maintain a new routine. Remember, though, the keyword is try. Don't beat yourself up if you can't do it all at once. Focus on the most important things (and not just your academic work, but personal wellness and life balance, too) and celebrate small wins.
A key to remember (generally in grad school but especially right now) is the importance of flexibility. In times like this, there will be practical roadblocks to your academic progress...so take a detour. Focus on the end goal, not the milestone. We've compiled a few thoughts on this here.
And finally, this is a time to stay connected: to your peers and mentors, but just as essential to your friends and families, your personal support networks.
Join us for the next Grad15 mini-webinar and discussion, The Best Defense: Tips for Online Thesis and Dissertation Defenses on Tuesday, March 31 at 11am.
Register today!