Week in review: 3-9 August

My goals this week were to look at planning my days and setting aside time for reflection and reading. I feel I made progress on one of these fronts, that being scheduling my days and having realistic expectations of what I can do with my time.  In looking closely at the balance between work to do and work accomplished, I can't help but see that a large part of my time goes to non-research related tasks.

At school, I am a PhD student.  Earning my degree is based upon my studies and how I present my results.  I have a scholarship which provides funding so that I can focus on my research.  And despite all this, I still spend a great deal of time outside of the lab.  I've spent time today trying to reconcile this fact.  On one hand I am concerned that my research is falling behind and that I am stunting my progress by contributing to things such as the PGSA.  However, I would point out, that it's only me that seems to have this concern.  My supervisor and I see each other almost everyday and we have very honest conversations regarding my work plans and my progress.  Despite ample opportunity to voice concern, my supervisor has never been anything but supportive of my decisions to contribute around the University.

Now it is very real that I spend a significant amount of time working outside of the lab.  And perhaps only I have a full grasp on the extent of this time.  What I do know is that I can't continue on forever with this split and that's why I will not be continuing to serve on the PGSA Executive Board as of this October's Annual General Meeting (AGM).  At this point, I'll also hand over my seats on various committees and boards to the new President or other student leaders.  By waiting until the AGM in October, this means I will serve my entire term as President; a commitment I agreed to last year when I took office.  Inside the organisation we are already looking to pass the torch of leadership and over the next two months I'll share more intimate details of my role with two excellent students who plan to continue with the Executive into next year.

For now, I need to make the most of my time and continue to manage a balance between work both in and out of the lab.