This week I wanted to focus on "getting work done." Of course this is always my goal, but the key feature of this week was to finish one job and not replace it with another. Taking inventory of my accomplishments this week, I finished a number of jobs for the PGSA, made advancements in the lab and I am pleased with the progress of the Honours students working with our research group. In addition to striking these jobs of the slate, I am pleased to report I didn't commit to any new projects or allow myself to be side tracked by new ideas (which is a big step forward for me).
Also this week I followed through on my second goal, which was to keep to a regular schedule. With the exception of Monday, when I left campus early to volunteer, I arrived and left work around the same time each day. Looking for a sustainable routine I kept reasonable hours, never coming in exceptionally early or staying too late.
Thinking about what I can improve upon in future weeks, I need to continue to plan ahead and keep track of what work requires my attention. At this point, I am swimming in to do lists and everything seems to be just as much of a priority as everything else. This week it worked out to just attack tasks on a whim, but I need to create focus in my work management.
Saturday, August 23, 2014
Friday, August 22, 2014
Lots of work (just not mine)
Today was a full day, but most of my time was spent working with two undergraduate students who are doing term projects in our lab. While studying for my BSc degree I was fortunate enough to be involved with various research projects and work with some awesome graduate students. As these experiences positively contributed to me finding a scholarship and PhD programme, I am pleased to introduce these exceptional students to the excitement of laboratory science. When I had time to myself I worked on a touch of programming and some PGSA business.
Thursday, August 21, 2014
One step back, two steps forward
Today I was excited to bring together my latest code with my newly assembled circuit boards (see this week's "Photo of the Week"). The first board worked as expected and I was using it to test out new features in both my firmware and interface code. Part way through the morning I decided to move the electronics over to my desk (don't ask me why I wanted to work in the comfort of my mess). After porting my kit to my workstation I connected the power supply. A heartbeat later I realised something was wrong and I quickly unplugged the cable. It took me a couple seconds to realise I had connected the power supply into the wrong jack and in the process I killed a pair of components on the board. It's frustrating that the mistake will cost me a few dollars, it's annoying that it will take me a couple days for replacement parts to come in, but ultimately it was a foolish and avoidable error. The lesson learned is nothing new and it reminds me of sage advice from my old boss in a machine shop; he said, "Think about every step you do, before you do it."
Moving on, after lunch, I was able to program the micro controller on the second board (the smaller board) I showed in yesterday's image. This was exciting as this was the first PCB I've designed where I populated and program my own processor. All the other circuit boards I've made have been "accessories" to development boards that already had a processor chip. I shared my excitement with our school's electronics technician, but we ultimately decided my record was 1:1 for the day, and I need another success to end the day ahead.
Thus, with a couple hours left in the day, I went back to programming. I made some great progress and have a clear spot to jump into my work tomorrow.
Moving on, after lunch, I was able to program the micro controller on the second board (the smaller board) I showed in yesterday's image. This was exciting as this was the first PCB I've designed where I populated and program my own processor. All the other circuit boards I've made have been "accessories" to development boards that already had a processor chip. I shared my excitement with our school's electronics technician, but we ultimately decided my record was 1:1 for the day, and I need another success to end the day ahead.
Thus, with a couple hours left in the day, I went back to programming. I made some great progress and have a clear spot to jump into my work tomorrow.
Wednesday, August 20, 2014
Slow but steady
This morning my supervisor and I had a short meeting with a Victoria University staff person as part of ongoing discussions regarding commercialising our research.
After lunch I attend a final year PhD talk from a fellow student in our school. These days I am paying closer attention to other students as they near the end of their studies, as I plan to be in their shoes next year.
In the lab I was able to finish documenting my latest version of code and I moved on to updating the instrument's GUI to reflect the recent changes. Also, the PCBs I sent out last week came in so I spent a couple hours soldering on the components. In an effort to liven up my blog, I am going to try a "Picture of the Week" feature, so this week I have an image of two of the populated circuit boards.
After lunch I attend a final year PhD talk from a fellow student in our school. These days I am paying closer attention to other students as they near the end of their studies, as I plan to be in their shoes next year.
In the lab I was able to finish documenting my latest version of code and I moved on to updating the instrument's GUI to reflect the recent changes. Also, the PCBs I sent out last week came in so I spent a couple hours soldering on the components. In an effort to liven up my blog, I am going to try a "Picture of the Week" feature, so this week I have an image of two of the populated circuit boards.
 |
| Photo of the Week: Recently populated printed circuit boards |
Tuesday, August 19, 2014
One of the better days
Today was an exciting day, if not a busy one. I finished (more aptly finished for now) the code I was working on for one of my home built instruments. On that note, I had an idea this weekend on how to improve the mechanical design of the device. To see if I was on to something, I headed down to the workshop to talk the machinists through my latest inspiration. The response from the boys was literally, "Why wasn't it designed that way in the first place?" A bit of ribbing, but it tells me we're moving in the right direction. Back in the lab and thinking about programming, I spent the rest of the morning working to update the instrument's documentation.
In the afternoon I had meetings with the Director of Student Academic Services and then the President of VUWSA (the main student association at Victoria). Both were great meetings and I returned to the lab feeling positive.
Add to all this the fact that registrations for the PGSA's 3 Minute Thesis Competition are starting to roll in, making today, truly, one of the better days in recent history.
In the afternoon I had meetings with the Director of Student Academic Services and then the President of VUWSA (the main student association at Victoria). Both were great meetings and I returned to the lab feeling positive.
Add to all this the fact that registrations for the PGSA's 3 Minute Thesis Competition are starting to roll in, making today, truly, one of the better days in recent history.
Monday, August 18, 2014
Mild Monday
This morning I stayed home from work to take care of some chores. This really didn't affect my day much as I volunteer on Monday afternoons. Usually on Mondays I get into the lab right before I need to head off to the bus stop.
This evening I worked on a couple PGSA documents that have lingered on my to do list a few weeks longer than I should have let them. Also I caught up on with my regular emails so I should be able to head into school tomorrow and hit the ground running.
This evening I worked on a couple PGSA documents that have lingered on my to do list a few weeks longer than I should have let them. Also I caught up on with my regular emails so I should be able to head into school tomorrow and hit the ground running.
Sunday, August 17, 2014
Week in advance: 17-23 August
In the coming week I have two goals. First, I'd like to keep to a regular schedule and second, I want to start closing threads on some of my various projects.
Last week, in trying to get to up to school early, it was obvious the importance of a set schedule. To keep showing up to work at the same time each morning, I needed to make sure I left work at the same time each evening. It's almost hopeless to wake up early if you've stayed at work late the night before. I think a regular routine will make it easier to deal with the ups and downs of PhD life. In this way, when my work is derailed at least I know what to do when I pick myself back up.
With my lab work, helping fellow students, volunteering with the PGSA and other tasks, I currently have a number of projects in the works. While it's exciting (and challenging) to keep myself organised, this week I'd like to go crazy knocking items off my ever growing to do list.
Last week, in trying to get to up to school early, it was obvious the importance of a set schedule. To keep showing up to work at the same time each morning, I needed to make sure I left work at the same time each evening. It's almost hopeless to wake up early if you've stayed at work late the night before. I think a regular routine will make it easier to deal with the ups and downs of PhD life. In this way, when my work is derailed at least I know what to do when I pick myself back up.
With my lab work, helping fellow students, volunteering with the PGSA and other tasks, I currently have a number of projects in the works. While it's exciting (and challenging) to keep myself organised, this week I'd like to go crazy knocking items off my ever growing to do list.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)