mattbelcher.com

I realized recently that unless I change my daily routine, I'm never going to get a PHD. I spent too much time doing non-research-oriented activities and was not making much progress. This is sort of a dangerous cycle, since nothing is more discouraging to research than the lack of progress. It is rather unlikely that I can make progress without more effort. Therefore, I have devised the following schedule for myself which should increase the amount of time I spend on task.

<br>The schedule is meant to provide a guide to myself as to what I <i>should</i> be doing during the week. For example, unless I have a good reason to do something else, I should be working on my research pretty much every morning. Exceptions are fine, but they need to be purposeful and productive.
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<img alt="My schedule" src="schedule.jpg" width=475>
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As you might have guessed, I've been dissatisfied with my progress in research. I submitted a paper at the end of the summer, but I should have gotten more done. Since then, I haven't made much progress at all, partly because of the start of school, but also because I just haven't made it enough of a priority. I decided that I really needed to give grad school more of an effort. If, at the end of this semester, I still haven't worked as hard as I can, I'll consider leaving. If I can't motivate myself to really do this, why am I here? I could make a lot more money (and live in a nicer town) somewhere else.