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6:15 a.m. |
The alarm goes out and I struggle to wake up, love my morning, and head to the gym for a workout to start my day. This is a fairly new phenomenon. During the academic year, I usually have after-hour meetings, programs, and obligations, so getting up early has not always worked well for me. But in the summers, I have my evenings free, so I can turn in earlier to be able to wake with the birds. =) I have learned that it’s best to use the summer to develop new habits that I can take with me into the next academic year. I am also learning that health, wellness, and balance are keys to success in our profession and I have to try to find a way to squeeze it into my schedule. (back to schedule) |
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7:30 a.m. |
I get back from the gym, sip on some protein water and get ready to tackle my day. My mind is more clear and focused and I have a burst of energy. I better use it before the afternoon slump hits. I get dressed and grab everything to head to the office. (back to schedule) |
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9:00 a.m. |
I make it into the office and I make my "Things to Accomplish" list. This is the first thing that I do every day. I am a big "J" when it comes to things such as priorities and time management. Plan the work and work the plan. After making the list, I go through emails that I have received from students and colleagues and try to address them in a timely fashion. All student affairs professionals know that this can sometimes be a daunting task! (back to schedule) |
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10:00 a.m. |
What’s on the list? During the summer, I coordinate and facilitate an intensive 8-week summer research institute for McNair Scholars, underrepresented senior students with an interest in ultimately earning a PhD and joining the ranks of the professoriate. The morning is the time when I make sure that I am prepared for the seminars that I have to teach, the graduate school visits that I have to take them on, or finalize the travel logistics to the conferences. Other tasks that might fill this time include updating Blackboard, reading articles for possible resources for the Scholars, creating faculty and scholar manuals, connecting with Faculty Research Mentors, creating service-learning syllabi, or thinking ahead and planning programs for academic year 2010-2011. There’s always a list of things to accomplish...(back to schedule) |
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11:40 a.m. |
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It’s a rare occasion when I DON’T have the surprise visit from a current or former student just to say hi or chat. These are always nice and welcome distractions from my work. Today, one of my students wanted to stop in to show off her new Pughuahua, also known as a Chug. Juelz is only 11 weeks old and he is the cutest! (back to schedule) | |
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12:00 p.m. |
It’s lunch time, but I rarely plan for lunch. I am working in my office and hoping that someone will grab something for me while they are out. =) I use this lunch hour to check in on Facebook and Twitter. I know, I know; but actually, these help me to do my job BETTER! As a grant funded program, I am required to track my students for 10 year post graduation from BGSU to know their whereabouts and verify their attendance in graduate programs across the nation. Social networking sites help me to stay connected. It also provides a space and avenue for me to provide continuous mentoring and advising of former students after their graduation from BGSU. (back to schedule) |
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1:00 p.m. |
| Marketing and Public Relations—why yes, that’s in my job description! I have to start thinking about the closing Scholar luncheon so I make my invite list and begin design sketches for the invitation. Because my administrative responsibilities require a lot of brain power, I enjoy these times when I can flex my creativity a bit and look up designs for the invitations. I am into aesthetics so it’s nice to try different ideas and yet settle with the classy, but cute design! After I complete the invitation design, it’s on to reviewing resumes for the Scholars and providing feedback on them so that they have professional and competitive resumes for the graduate school application process. (back to schedule |
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3:30 p.m. |
I take the scenic route—because there is so much construction on campus—to the other side of campus because it’s time for a McNair Seminar. The students have just finished the Kaplan GRE Prep session for the day, so I have to make sure that any information that I present to them is engaging as well. Today’s topic is "Letters of Recommendations" and I walk the Scholars through the process of asking for and securing positive and strong letters of support from faculty and staff members for their graduate applications. I enjoy helping students through the often confusing and daunting task of applying by demystifying the process and making sure they are equipped with the necessary skills and resources. (back to schedule) |
| 5:20 p.m. |
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The seminar was over at 5 pm, but I can never seem to get out on time. Right after class is when I can reconnect with my students and they can catch me up on the random happenings of life to their questions about research or grad school. These are the moments that I love! (back to schedule) | |
| 5:30 p.m. |
Living only a mile from my office, it’s great to be able to avoid traffic and make it home quickly. When I come home, I never dread going to bed only to wake and start again tomorrow—although I am tired from the long day. My job is fulfilling because I get to work in a dynamic environment with great colleagues and work on the behalf of some of the most driven and fabulous students that represent the future of the academy and will change the face of the professoriate to more structurally reflect the diversity of our times. I am energized by what I do! (back to schedule) |
