Academic summer mistakes…
I am writing this during a glorious summer day and I can’t quite believe June is almost over! But with two more undergraduate vacation months ahead, these are my top 3 summer mistakes to try and avoid.
Don’t only do what you need to do – make space for what you want!
Ok, so I know we all want a holiday, but what I am referring to here are those academic tasks that you want to do but never get time for. It is very easy to fill the summer weeks with things that have to be done – research grant applications, lecturer prep, paper writing, conference travel – but don’t neglect those items that aren’t essential but you want to do. This summer I want to plan a few demonstrations for use within an autumnal lecture course. Do I need to do this? Well no, I’ve taught the course for the last few years and student feedback has been good. But do I want to include demos, well yes. That means I need to create time in my calendar to do them.
Not to have any plans - keep timetabling your time.
Semester structure centres around the academic timetable, it provides a rhythm around which other meetings, supervision and activities must fit. When the undergraduates go on vacation the teaching timetable reduces, usually to just the taught postgraduate courses. It can be very easy to enjoy the lack of structure, but if you maintain the discipline of maintaining a planned week it is easier to keep productivity high.
Only working from home – if you live nearby still visit your university.
This will depend on you normal mode of working, but many academics seem to be in a hybrid routine with days on and off campus. If you don’t need to meet students the temptation can be to only work from home. It is convenient, saves travel costs, and can fit around your daily activities. But going into the audience will bring you into contact with your departmental colleagues, helping you stay aware of university events. I won’t be going in every day, but I will still be at my university several times a week, not only to meet my PhD students but also my academic peers.
Caroline, Dr CST