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Archive for the ‘Academic life’ Category

Academic publishing runs on its own schedule, Part 2

Posted in Academic life, Being a scholar, Outrage, Whining on July 19, 2010 | Leave a Comment »

As if sitting on our article for years (literally – nearly 3 years, see my first post on this topic) and then complaining that the lit review was out of date (well, DUH), the editors of the journal had the AUDACITY to send us an email less than 2 weeks after they sent us the [...]

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Student expectations

Posted in Academic life, Teaching on March 28, 2010 | Comments Off

Some days it’s a bit odd being on the other side of the lectern; there are many ways in which I am still very familiar with the plight of the average student, and often adjust my assignments accordingly.  However I’ve been hearing a couple of themes lately that concern me. The first theme is that [...]

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Education, profit and hypocrisy

Posted in Academic life, Education policy, Politics, news on March 14, 2010 | Comments Off

UPDATE: While writing this was cathartic for me, a much better piece has been written that includes  my points and many more.  If this topic is of interest, I suggest you read it. Another article came out today about how for-profit colleges and trade schools (lumped into one big indistinguishable mass) are using deceptive practices [...]

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A step in the right direction

Posted in Academic life, Being a scholar, Blogging, Change, Dissertation, Jobs on January 30, 2010 | 3 Comments »

I have a new day job!!!! In higher ed!!!! Let me tell the story…. Anyone who has spent time in the regular job market and looked for a job has heard the old saw that more than half of the jobs are filled through the “unofficial” job market; someone knows someone else, who puts them [...]

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I will not become a statistic….

Posted in Academic life, Being a scholar, Dissertation, Graduate school, Organization, Productivity, tagged , , , on December 20, 2009 | 1 Comment »

They used to say that only 50% of those who start a doctorate finish.  Updated statistics in the social sciences says that number (10-year completion) is more like 56%, but that still leaves 44% unfinished and (in most programs like mine that have a time limit) unfinishable.  It isn’t the course work;  16% opt out [...]

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Perspective: Useful thing that…

Posted in Academic life, Dissertation, Graduate school, Productivity, Psychology, Stress, Teaching on October 4, 2009 | Comments Off

Often we are told to take a step back from things to gain some perspective.  It’s very hard when you are in the thick of things, particularly all-consuming things like a dissertation. This week, however, I got some perspective.  In order to enhance my qualifications for the classes I’m already teaching, I signed up for [...]

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Laser-sharp focus reduces stress

Posted in Academic life, Productivity, Stress, Teaching on September 27, 2009 | Comments Off

We live in a world with a wealth of things to distract us: The internet and all the amazing information it brings to our door RSS feeds Facebook and social networking sites YouTube Wikipedia A new TV season starting up Books and/or magazines on every possible topic Free education via things like Open Courseware or [...]

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Why are you going to grad school anyway?

Posted in Academic life, Being a scholar, Change, Graduate school, Jobs on August 20, 2009 | 2 Comments »

Over the past few years I have focused much of this blog on efficiently getting through graduate school.  Yet as I have started teaching and working on my dissertation, I have begun to question what I want out of graduate school. There are a ton of reasons people start a PhD program: They want to [...]

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The importance of a supportive partner

Posted in Academic life, Graduate school on August 16, 2009 | Comments Off

Today is my 8th wedding anniversary.  (Well, actually it’s the 8th anniversary of our elopement; the ceremony and party with friends was that November.)  This has led me to think about how important my husband has been to my progress in graduate school, not to mention my sanity. I’ve actually seen people recommend that you [...]

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Summer break?

Posted in Academic life, Graduate school, Productivity, Psychology, Teaching on August 1, 2009 | Comments Off

Ah, the good old days as an undergrad when you got your summers off.  I wish.  Summer for a graduate student is often as hectic as the rest of the year, and if some things (teaching) are reduced that merely means that other things (research) are expected to step in and make up the difference. [...]

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