I'm feeling depressed again. No buzzing or ache in my head at least, just a general unhappiness. Travel has me eating unhealthy and not exercising, which doesn't help things. Summer is supposed to be research time, but instead I'm swamped with reviewing papers, reviewing proposals, and doing outreach. Oh well.
Isnt that how everyone feels who is involved in academia/research ? At least I like to think everyone does :P
ReplyDeleteIt is the nature of the beast, but you do have some control over how much of BS work you do. I know it doesn't seem like it, especially pre-tenure, but you do.
ReplyDeleteIn the last year or so on the tenure track, I instituted a rule: if it doesn't give me pleasure or doesn't put another entry on my CV, I don't do it. So, a lunch with a dear colleague -- yes. Review of the umpteenth proposal for the same journal -- no. Review of a paper for a journal I had not reviewed for before -- maybe, if it enhances my CV (e.g. reviewing for a crappy journal -- no). Outreach -- not unless it give you pleasure (it doesn't to me). Review of proposals -- only if you are getting money from the same program director or think you will in the next couple of years, otherwise no.
Hang in there and keep saying 'no.' Stupid work kills the academic's creativity and the will to work, which are really the things that make this work worth doing (it sure isn't like we are paid tons of money).