Academic Life Management: finding systems that stick

Still procrastinating on writing that paper by researching the perfect productivity system?

This five-session series cuts through academic overwhelm with practical systems that work for real researchers. We'll tackle the unique challenges of managing a multi-year project – from breaking down massive tasks into manageable chunks to building sustainable focus practices beyond caffeinated willpower.

You'll discover why traditional "work-life balance" fails for DPhil students, consider planning tools that help you see the big picture without spiralling, and develop backup systems for when everything falls apart. Whether you're drowning in competing priorities, struggling with vanishing motivation, or need strategies that acknowledge your research brain never switches off, these short, sharp sessions can help.

They’ll mix some explanation about why these things are so hard, combined with some suggestions for action and a little bit of accountability to help you try a little change each week. No meal-prep perfectionism or 5am morning routines required – just realistic strategies for actual humans juggling all the things.

By the end of this series, participants will have the tools to:

• Identify personal focus patterns and apply concentration techniques tailored to deep academic work
• Organise research tasks using visual planning systems, and implement structured scheduling approaches
• Understand psychological factors behind procrastination and develop sustainable motivation strategies
• Design flexible daily routines that integrate academic and personal life demands
• Create accountability structures and backup plans for maintaining long-term progress during doctoral study

Wednesday 13 May, 12:30 – 13:00

Managing the madness: getting your DPhil (and life) under control

Wednesday 20 May, 12:30 – 13:00 

Finding your focus: what works (and doesn't) for deep thinking

Wednesday 27 May, 12:30 – 13:00 

When motivation dies: beyond caffeine and willpower

Wednesday 10 June, 12:30 – 13:00 

Daily systems: because everything bleeds into everything

Wednesday 17 June, 12:30 – 13:00 

Marathon mode: backup plans for when everything falls apart

Join the mailing list for these sessions!

Join the mailing list here if you are interested in attending any of the above sessions and we will send you the Teams link to join.

Once you have signed up to the above mailing list you are free to attend as many or few as you wish.