developing a Sustainable Scholarly Life

Advice from colleagues:

  • Collaborate with other colleagues

  • Engage in projects that sustain you as a human being

  • Find your scholarly/intellectual/creative community beyond Macalester

  • Break big projects down into small parts/pieces

  • Consider (carefully!) collaborative projects with students

    • Summer research

    • Independent study

    • Senior capstones

    • Honors projects

    • Student research lab members/assistants/collaborators

  • Be transparent about “failure” and other challenges

  • Close your door as needed! (communicate about it… make a “do not disturb, I’m working on research right now” sign…)

  • Write 30 minutes every day

  • Develop goal setting strategies (backward design/map from end product)

  • Track the CVs of accomplished people in your field (not to feel bad, but to learn their process)

  • Make strategic use of conference papers (or anything else with a deadline!!)

  • Get feedback from trusted colleagues


Resources: