Wednesday, February 08, 2006
Figuring out the right pace
It has taken me a lot of time to get adjusted to the rhythm of the semester. After my qualifying exams (that ended last October 2005) I went into a slow stage. It was very hard to concentrate and get back to work. My friends, that had already finished their quals, told me I had to take a break. But I did not want to, I wanted to keep going, to work on my proposal and get as much done as possible, in the least amount of time -- and at the same time doing the best job possible. But it was really hard to concentrate, to sit and read for a couple of hours, to just go back and revise what I had done before.
Almost four months later, I am getting back to normal. It is a different routine when you have to decide what to do and when to do it. My internship in Europe, last summer, allowed me to look at life in a different way. Balance is important! You need to take time for your family, but also for yourself. And you need to schedule work time so you get things done.
I have realized that when I take time to myself -- to go out to a movie or for some ice cream; to have lunch with a friend; to go out and do some exercise or just go for a walk -- I am able to focus a lot better when I am back at my desk. Having time to relax clears my mind and allows me to concentrate a lot better and do much more than if I had tried to just work, work, and work.
Being far away from home is really hard and wanting to get back to my love ones becomes almost an obsession. But I need to realize that things take time, especially if you want them to be as good as possible, excellent you may say. Although I don't want to price myself, just do the best I could do.
Almost four months later, I am getting back to normal. It is a different routine when you have to decide what to do and when to do it. My internship in Europe, last summer, allowed me to look at life in a different way. Balance is important! You need to take time for your family, but also for yourself. And you need to schedule work time so you get things done.
I have realized that when I take time to myself -- to go out to a movie or for some ice cream; to have lunch with a friend; to go out and do some exercise or just go for a walk -- I am able to focus a lot better when I am back at my desk. Having time to relax clears my mind and allows me to concentrate a lot better and do much more than if I had tried to just work, work, and work.
Being far away from home is really hard and wanting to get back to my love ones becomes almost an obsession. But I need to realize that things take time, especially if you want them to be as good as possible, excellent you may say. Although I don't want to price myself, just do the best I could do.
