Usually this blog features events, initiative and personalities where bicycles create positive community change. At times, I also include some researcher aspects to do with my PhD study. This is one such instance.
Departing from our usual bicycle centred posts, the next couple of entries are PhD-orientated as I prepare my PhD Confirmation submission for next Friday. And yes…. I am freaking out! NG.
Image: PhD Comics
Academic Overload
I’m preparing my PhD Confirmation paper for submission next Friday. Two weeks later I will defend my thesis in my PhD Confirmation seminar.
As you can imagine it has been very busy and somewhat stressful time.
I’ve found myself in the middle of academic overload! I feel like I am in the middle of an Academic Zombie Apocalypse!
Good grief!
The fortnight lead-in was intense anyway. Trimester at uni ended last week. Last Thursday I finished semester classes and said goodbye and good luck to my two Communication and Languages for Science classes and my HDR Writing Workshop, which, I think is ironic given my current stress round my Confirmation submission! Hilarious!
Also, last Friday I finished marking the last of 48 final report assessments for my class. This week all the paperwork, reporting, feedback, blah, blah… you get the picture!
You can see what my classes have been up to on Instagram account at: @nina_griffith_uni #nina5903 #ninahdrwritingwksp #eps_hdr
Anyhoo…
Finally, I thought…. now I’ll have concentrated time to ‘catch up’ preparing my submission.
Alas, not quite.
Added to this crazy time has been a convergence of workshops (see next posts). Each of these workshops is interesting and useful, but the timing is very awkward. I still have a lot to do on my paper. All I can think is that I need to be at my desk, all day every day, working on my manuscript.
It seems like I can’t escape! I need to get away!!!
Beware! The Academic Zombie Apocalypse
Image: The Conversation
I am hiding inside, not risking to venture out. I squirrel around at odd hours and lock myself up at night. I have my equipment with me at all times, and bury myself in my work and try and disappear from sight, not making a sound. When someone approaches me, I get nervous, suspicious, and cry out ‘What do you want! Stay away from me!’
It is a very appropriate metaphor. If I had less brain drain, I’d ‘flesh out’ the idea out (tee hee) but I am conserving synapses for Friday.
Image: kids-army
Academic zombie apocalypse survival kit
Taking inspiration from other zombie survival kits – I’m working on developing my own academic zombie apocalypse survival kit.
I quickly vox popped some academics & PhDers for ideas on what they would include/do/have for this busy time. Here are their suggestions:
- laptop
- key journal articles printed out
- trashy pulp fiction book for mental breaks
- coffee
- Sudafed
- exercise
- a critical (about work, not you!) and a non-critical friend to talk to
- good nutritious food
- a short holiday at the end to look forward to
- downtime away from communications and electronic devices
- limit of one drink per week/no drinking alcohol during this time
- connect with meaningful other/partner
- designated office space for undisturbed time to work
- thinking time away from the office (sitting on a bus looking out a window)
- hot showers
- good poos
- sleep
Certainly, a lot less ammo than I expectedl!
I’m going to keep the survival kit idea handy – just in case.
But the mere act of just talking about starting a academic zombie apocalypse survival kit has already made me feel a little better.
I think I might go to the office and smash out some more writing for my Confirmation paper!
See ya soon!
Image: : thebestschools.org