So, I thought I'd share my probably-too-ambitious summer resolutions:
- Every day (beginning June 1): transcribe 1 document from the mess I brought home from the archives; write 1 page (even if it's just a summary of what I've transcribed, or read in the secondary sources)
- Every week: read 1 book or 2 articles each from two running reading lists (one for research, one for a new topical course I'd like to develop)
- Whole-summer goals: Finish one round of revisions on collected volume article; have an outline and a proposal for a conference paper-length piece; draft syllabus for new topical course; prep my two oft-taught courses for fall so I can focus on the less-oft-taught one.
(picture from day 131 of 365)Other than one short week out of town, I'm not going anywhere all summer, so I can really burrow in. Even so, I'm probably being too ambitious here, so the goal within the goal is to achieve about 85% of the goal. That's a solid B, right?
Anyone else care to tempt fate by posting your own new summer's resolutions?
**This is not to say that I don't still make new-semester resolutions -- I do: stay on top of the grading, get those assignments posted on time; the usual pipe dreams that last about as long as the "go to the gym three times a week" ones from January 1st did.
9 comments:
Wow. That's very ambitious. I am exhausted just reading your list. I bet you can get a lot accomplished if you establish and stick to a routine, though. Good luck!
I'll make mine next week, once the grades are in.
I have enough resolutions just meting deadlines right now, but some years ago I made one important one which I think is worth sharing. It was to stop watching progress meters. If you are waiting on a computer to do something, stand up and go do something else. Don't let the machine own you! This may not apply to you, but it has, apart from anything else, made my house a much nicer place to live in...
I do the same thing: semesterly resolutions, especially in the summer. I rather like the cycle of possibilities.
Good luck on the success of yours!
Here's mine:
1) embark on new my new hair plan;
2) grow something in the yard with my children;
3) revise an article and submit for publication;
4) go from notes to draft of another article;
5) read a classic novel that I've never read;
6) read a new novel for a research project
7) crochet
8) take walks and work on academic stuff with the children to prepare for next year.
Maybe I should pare this down a bit . . . .
@ Steel Magnolia: What is a "hair plan"?
And should I have one?
It's amazing how much less wonderful the summer is when you don't live in academia. Best of luck!
As soon as I finish grading finals, I will make a list. Right now, it's "get as much done for dissertation as possible" and purge/clean the garage. Clearly, I need to break these down into specific, manageable goals. I like the idea of summer resolutions! I might need to push past mere "goals" to other types of commitments.
(And check out Steel Magnolia's latest post for an update about her "hair plan.")
I love summer resolutions! This is the first summer since starting grad school that I'm not teaching, so I think my eyes are a bit starry...
1.)(Like G.E.W.) As much dissertation as possible (at least 2 more chapters, including theoretical frame)
2.) Edited volume proposal out the door (So close! Have first draft of everything, need edits and feedback from DA).
3.) Finish D. article (requires intro, conclusion, editing).
4.) Go into fall semester healthy and not anxious.
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