To copy this page, go to the top right of the screen and click the button that says “Duplicate.” This will create a page within your own notion account that is a replica of this one.
<aside> 💡 Be sure to use your .edu address when creating your notion account! You’ll get free unlimited storage and a few other superpowers that will make this run smoother.
</aside>
Alternatively, you can highlight and copy all of the content on this page (sans the table of contents) and paste it into a word processing software. It will keep track of the headers and text for you with only a few discrepancies.
Theoretically, all that you need to regularly keep up with is here in this document. So long as you’re able to update it regularly, you’ll be in a good place!
If you’ve made it to this page, chances are you’ve already seen at least some of the lab documents. Be sure that you’ve looked these materials over so you know what resources are available to you, and what it means to be a member of this lab! 🙂
Here, we’ll use a resource from the NCFDD to create a strategic plan. There are of course other ways to create a similar plan that you’re welcome to use, but this has been found to be helpful by other faculty and graduate students, making it a good starting point!
If your biggest goal is to graduate, then we should start by considering what will need to happen to get you there!
<aside> 🎓 My goal graduation date is… [INSERT DATE HERE!]
</aside>
Go ahead and plug that date into your copy of the GradTimelinePlanner.
Depending on whether or not you’re a MS or a PhD student, you’ll have different expectations of your Productivity & Deliverables. You’ll need to include these expectations in your long-term plan. To plan for success, it’s best to work backwards.
Identify your goals: Write smart goals for your professional life and personal life. Consider these each semester. These goals should include what you’re required to do (e.g. establish a committee, submit a manuscript) and ones that you want to do (e.g. apply to the NSF GRFP)
To be sure that you didn’t miss any required goals, be sure to look at the graduate student handbook linked on the departmental website.
<aside> 😄 My professional goals are to….
</aside>
<aside> 😄 My personal goals are to….
</aside>
Map out the steps: consider what needs to happen for each of these goals to be a success. For example, to make your committee you need to (1) identify faculty who can contribute mentorship and expertise to your project (2) meet with faculty to discuss your project(s) and what they expect of the graduate students they mentor and (3) have them sign the committee form. List the steps needed to achieve your goals below.
Finally, it’s time for rubber to hit the road. Put these tasks on your calendar! When do you want your goal to be completed by? When will each individual task be done by?
For example, your committee should be established within your first semester, so set the due date at the end of the term. Decide when you will email faculty by, and when you’ll have the form completed by. Put these due dates on a calendar! Be sure to build in a bit of grace. An example timeline can be found here:
<aside> 🧠 It’s common practice to put your generalized timeline in your proposal, and include it for your committee in your qualifying exam presentation. Completing this exercise will help you in the long run!
</aside>