PhD development seminar: Time management and work-life balance

Today's #PhDdevelopmentF2020 seminar features a panel of @UWISyE #PhD students who are talking about time management.

"You will never reach time-management nirvana. You have to keep working at it."

— Laura Albert (@lauraalbertphd) November 2, 2020

#PhD student protip: It's easier to work through challenging tasks after finishing a few easier tasks.

— Laura Albert (@lauraalbertphd) November 2, 2020

#PhD student protip: find ways to hold yourself accountable by setting up a daily meeting with a friend/labmate to check in about what you are going to work on that day. Alternatively, email your advisor about what your goals for the day are.

— Laura Albert (@lauraalbertphd) November 2, 2020

Make. Time. For Hobbies.

— Laura Albert (@lauraalbertphd) November 2, 2020

Sometimes you just need to go to bed. Problems are surmountable with enough sleep.

— Laura Albert (@lauraalbertphd) November 2, 2020

Phd student protip: don't feel guilty for not being productive every day. Having good time management does not mean you are working all the time.

— Laura Albert (@lauraalbertphd) November 2, 2020

One senior #PhD student recommends asking more questions early on in a PhD. Do not try to figure so much out on your own.

— Laura Albert (@lauraalbertphd) November 2, 2020

Plan your free time before planning your work time. Setting limits for how long you will work and when you will take breaks will help you stay motivated.

— Laura Albert (@lauraalbertphd) November 2, 2020

In grad school i had a rule that it was ok to quit work at 5 if i was stuck on something. Working late was good only if i was being productive. Many problems got solved when i was on my way home after quitting at 5pm https://t.co/vjCbx5Jqdt

— Dr Vicki Bier (@BierVicki) November 2, 2020