Resolved Academics.

Prof. Mark Goodacre, over at the NT Gateway, recently posted his academic New Year's Resolutions. I'm a big fan of resolutions in general -- something about starting the new year around the same time as a new year-of-life -- and Prof. Goodacre's in particular. They are all sound and challenging, and it is, I believe, to his credit that he projects that #4 -- "be less nice!" -- will be the most difficult for him to implement.

With the exception of #3 -- "book?! What book?" -- and likely #4 (... if the Jerome icon wasn't a tip-off ...), all of Prof. Goodacre's resolutions could easily carry over to my list as well. The lists that are popping up on numerous blogs also reminded me of a document I came across last year. Prof. Kathryn Lofton, presently of Princeton, soon to be of Yale has put together a helpful list of 17 items, give or take, that answer the question: "How can I be a good grad student?"* (Several of Prof. Lofton's former colleagues attest that she indeed distinguished herself in this capacity.)

I don't mean to infringe upon Prof. Lofton's copyright, so I'll limit myself to a mere smattering of the suggestions she makes:

• Attend everything.
• This includes reading groups, talks, and parties. And every conference you can afford to attend.
• Say yes. Think three times before saying no.
  
• If you’re not taking classes in other departments, you’re provincial. If you’re not reading books unrelated to your field, you’re not an intellectual. Do both. Often.
  

Let me begin by pointing out that the list Prof. Lofton has composed is clearly only one of several paths towards being a "successful graduate student". If one is, for example, raising a family while in graduate school or merely trying to maintain a marriage (dating relationship, rapport with one's pet, etc.), attending everything and/or saying yes to everything a large research university has to offer might be a more direct path to dissipation and burn-out than to completing one's dissertation and thriving. Amongst my acquaintances, "the list" has therefore generated reactions from snorts to outrage primarily amongst those who attempted the Ph.D. at later stages in life. By the same token, these tend to be amongst the most successful students -- more driven, less neurotic (one hopes), acutely aware of the need to earn a living and support one's family, etc.

On the whole, though, and with the appropriate caveats for preservation of mental health and sanity, Prof. Lofton's list, much like Prof. Goodacre's resolutions, has much to commend itself. In a profession where I see a bit too much self-handicapping -- not least of all in my own life -- the encouragement to go for it, give 100%, etc., is surely not misplaced.

* A very similar set of advice might be offered to newly minted assistant or associate faculty.