In some ways, the career arch of academics is a lot like a rock band.
We start as fresh acts, then play many of the same songs, eventually fading into obscurity, playing those songs in a local casino.
While our research is innovative, our lives are not.
Year in, year out.
We tend to:
- teach the same #courses or closely related courses.
- work with the same people or very similar people.
- employ the same #researchmethods or recent advances of those methods.
AND
- #write about the same themes or derivatives of their themes.
I know many #tenuredfaculty who make a good living, playing comfortable tunes. It's not a bad gig if you can get it!
But, playing the same songs can grow boring, even painful.
You don't have to play the same academic songs. You can discover new tunes.
But how?
I've found pausing to reflect helps me create new #academic music.
I learned this behavior because my old #deptchair demanded that I identify ways to improve continually.
Initially, I resisted. Later, I realized his genius - a regular Mozart!
Now, after each semester, I #disconnect, take a long walk & ask myself, "am I still on key? what can I change?"
Most often, I end the walk feeling in #tune.
Every so often, I end the walk feeling off-key.
When off-key, I ask three questions that lead me to create new music, by adding #coursecontent, #researchtopics, or both.
First, I ask myself how did I feel about #class? Did I feel connected to #students? Did the students seem excited by the #coursematerial?
If the answer is no, I look for fresh beats - new topics, new tools, or both. I scan for new ways to use #technology, such as holding online office hours. (Did anyone else hold office hours on #AOLinstantmessenger?).
Second, I ask myself how did I feel about my #research? Was it still exciting to me? Did #reviewers still find it interesting?
If the answer is no, I look for new patterns and sounds in the external world & ask what do I want to know more about?
Adding new songs to my playlist doesn't mean dropping familiar tunes - it means expanding your repertoire. (Is anyone still rocking to the #SpiceGirls?)
Third, I ask myself, was I able to bring my research into the classroom?
If the answer is no, then I ask, is when did they get out of tune? What should I be studying? This is important because students, esp. grad students, are paying to learn current thoughts & ideas.
To re-synch my research and teaching #playlist, I talk to practice, learn new material, and make many mistakes.
Writing new tunes isn't easy.
When I find a new tune, my enthusiasm about #academiclife improves, leading to new audiences responding with enthusiasm!
So take a moment, as this academic year ends, to ask, do I need a new song? You won't regret it.
P.S. Thanks to José L. Roldán for letting me try out a new tune in #seville!
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