It’s a really interesting conundrum to be in – completely in charge of my own time. In my day job, as an academic librarian, my work days are defined by teaching, student tutorials, meetings and teaching prep. No day is the same as another. Often it is my outlook calendar that dictates what I do when. I even timetable in breaks and lunch, so that I have time to breathe and get some fresh air. Now, I am my own boss.
Theoretically during this fellowship I can do things as and when I want to, no one is looking over my shoulder and I’m not accountable to anyone. Well, that’s not really the case – I’m still a member of University staff and I’m a professional. I have a great mentor to bounce ideas off and colleagues who are interested and supportive of my research. So one thing I can tell you is I want to do my job well – whatever role I’m in and whatever I’m doing. Therefore I want to make the most of this fellowship. It’s an incredible opportunity and I want to make the most of every minute. At the end, I want to feel confident that I have done the research to the best of my ability, supported my student co-researchers to explore their experience and help them showcase what they want to share with the University community. I am the facilitator that can bring their message to the world around them.
So, how do I make the most of the opportunity? Well, I’ve already written about “Getting organised”, so now a few weeks later – how am I keeping motivated and managing my time? The principles I put in place are the foundation. The Gantt chart, being able to see the bigger picture and the deadlines keeps me aware of how quickly time is passing.
Exploring the student timetables also gives me great awareness of the time pressures I need to meet – I want to make sure I’ve finished my data collection well before they start working on their assignments in earnest and well away from their deadlines. Fundamentally, I’m trying to remove any burden or barriers to my student co-researchers taking part.
Writing lists, using lists, amending and updating lists is key. Each day I try and focus on the main things I want to achieve. Ideally three main tasks that I can tick off the list. Going back to my Gantt chart and seeing jobs complete is a great step forward. I’m also breaking tasks down into achievable elements that I can work through. Sometimes it’s being aware that things will take longer than you can allow in one sitting. Or you need to go back and revisit something you thought you’d done. For example, I’d booked in all my training workshops, added them to an online booking system and advertised them on the virtual learning environment and website. However, as I still need more co-researchers, I’ve had to create more training workshops, book rooms, add more to the booking system and advertise them. The window of opportunity to recruit, train and discuss with the co-researchers seems to be getting smaller.
However, rather than focusing on negative elements. Time is flying by: I’m not sure I have enough co-researchers. I’m looking for solutions. What can I do to recruit more? Is there anything I can do to get ahead. For example, it seems crazy to me, but I’ve already booked the exhibition space for June and thought about the costs of printing the photographs and how I want the exhibition to go ahead. I’ve also spoken to the programme team to make sure they have availability and would be able to attend. That’s months away, but it’s something I have done and put in place. It’s a few tasks ticked off my lists.
It’s also about going with your feelings or mood. Often, you don’t have the luxury of doing what you want to do, because there are deadlines to be met and others counting on you. Here, in this project, if I’m not really feeling very organised, or I don’t want to spend time on the laptop I can take a step away. Pick up that book chapter I need to read, or journal article someone mentioned to me and read. Taking time out to read and learn from others’ points of view is incredibly rewarding. When I was planning the training workshop, it was really helpful to revisit some of the articles that inspired the project. Re-reading them, there were different elements I came across that helped me adapt and build the session.
Although I wrote earlier that I’m not accountable to anyone, that’s wrong. I feel a strong sense of purpose to make sure my research is worth the funding I have been awarded. I want to demonstrate that the faith that has been put in me is deserved. I want to support my co-researchers to share their experience and do justice to what they share. So that their colleagues, tutors and university can see what they have achieved. I also want to demonstrate to my mentor that I have the capability and capacity to do the research. As someone I look up to, I want to make sure their time has been well-spent with me. My team has also put a look of faith in me, encouraging me to go for the fellowship, giving me encouragement. I want to do well for myself, but I want to do well for them too – that they can see the project was worthwhile, the time well spent and I’m coming back to the team and the department with new knowledge and experience that I can share with others. Although it’s a solo project, it’s a project I share with others. So, fundamentally my motivation to keep going is about doing justice to the time, energy and faith that others have put in me. Fundamentally to keep motivated – look at who you are accountable to and why you need to do it.
Lessons Learnt:
- Lists are my friend
- Ticking things off a to-do list is incredibly rewarding
- Keep referring back to your project goals
Useful links from LinkedIn Learning (available to UON staff and students):
Microsoft Planner Essential Training
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