#break days

BREAK DAYS:

every semester is different. 

there was one semester during my sophomore year of undergrad in which there was only ONE SINGLE DAY of the entire term when i did not do a single task of homework. (it was the day after i submitted an extensive 40-page research paper. it was, like, an event amongst my friend circle.) part of the reason why i only gave myself a single day was because my final project required THIRTY MINIMUM PAGES of high-quality content and evidence, and for my sophomore self there was really no way to divide that kind of workload evenly over the course of three months without spreading it nice and thin and long-term. (i still had three other classes to worry about that semester, no less!!)

this semester, it’s turning out that every single friday is my break day. most of my assignments are typically due on either a thursday or a sunday, and it’s just how my schedule allows me to break down the task-load. per my current course schedule, my typical week looks something like this:

sundays | planning and organization; creating task schedules (due dates and task dates) for which tasks MUST be completed and on which day; weekly foundational tasks (i.e. reading one or two chapters)

mondays, tuesdays | complete all readings assigned for week; watch all videos, lectures, and multimedia; basically just familiarize myself with any resources the professor has recommended/required

mondays, tuesdays, wednesdays | attack tasks as needed; write, proofread, and eventually post all discussion board entries and responses, article critiques, journal reflections; create outlines for any smaller-scale papers, compile supporting evidence into said outlines, begin citing the appropriate references from my collection of notes

thursdays | final proofreading, responses, and completion of any remaining tasks or assignments due for this evening; submit final drafts of papers; re-check assigned tasks, both for tonight and for end-of-weekend

fridays | break.

saturdays | homework dates!! i make an event out of going out with a friend to do homework in a more casual setting at a new location. i explore new study spots and go haunt old favorites. if my friend is chatty, i plan ahead and usually use this time to do a bit more house-keeping and administrative upkeep. if my friend can focus as well as i can, i settle in for a long day of hardcore work with the added perk of not having to pack up all of my shit for protection’s sake every time i need a coffee refill. after we grab lunch, i usually march onto another location, break up the day, see some new scenery, spend some time outside, get myself a nice cup of hot tea, and get back to work until i finish. i try to have all of the assignments due for sunday done by saturday afternoon! sunday is forward-thinking and relaxation—no rushing to complete assignments, if i can help it. ;)

total # of hours spent on homework:

sundays—thursdays: maybe 2-4 each daysaturdays: sometimes 6-10 hours

before you let the numbers scare you, please please remember:

i am a graduate student who is required to read, analyze, and synthesize an incredible amount of text. my program specifically states that all enrolled students should be prepared and willing to commit at least 30 weekly hours to their coursework.

i am also an incredibly metacognitive student who has been in school for 20+ years. my academic endurance is HELLA STRONG. i live by the “work smarter, not harder” philosophy. i am also a perfectionist. I take a GREAT DEAL OF PRIDE in submitting high-quality work. my goal is to graduate with a master’s with a 4.0 QPA.  

i am a writer in many contexts, and i happen to be in a program that requires thoughtful, expert, scholarly writing that is indicative of a graduate level.

all of these things contribute to the amount of time, energy, and effort i expend through my coursework! every program, every semester, every student is different. this is just me. ;)

RUNNING:

as for running, i say go for both! some days, you really benefit from that extra push of social support and learning. other days, you could really just use a stress-breaking run of setting your own pace and enjoying your peace of mind.

look up couch-to-5k plans to see what they recommend! even if you don’t think you’re ready for a 5k just yet, they usually provide a lot of scientific guidelines and helpful tips on how to get motivated and disciplined. (you should really at least consider thinking about one as a long-term future goal because they really add a whole new level of enjoyment and LIFE EXPERIENCE to running!!)