Category Archives: Francesca

Productive Procrastination — How to Keep Momentum During Break

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The end is near, dear readers. We are in the final sprint of this fall semester! Within the past week alone, I am not quite sure how I was humanly capable of completing all that I completed (caffeine and more than a few late nights were necessary). While I welcome Thanksgiving break with more than open arms, I know that there is an amount of work that I do need to accomplish during that time. Carving out time (and turkey and prime rib) to rest, pamper myself, and spend time with family will be a fun and easy thing to plan. But how will I keep momentum during break?

1. Make a List

Simple enough, right? This is huge for how I get things done, but I know that I can be guilty for writing the most vague, unhelpful items. “See syllabus” and “start paper” aren’t exactly the most engaging phrases and they are too vague. See syllabus for what? For a description on the final paper? To check what material will potentially be on the final exam? Instead of general, overboard to-do list items, I try to make them a little more specific so I know exactly what I am trying to accomplish. For instance, a portion of Thanksgiving break’s to-do list looks like this:

  • create outline of thesis material to go on Psychology Poster (Due Dec. 1 at noon)
  • Compile presentation notes from program notes for Mamlok, Haydn Diveritimento, and Bach Prelude from Suite No. 3 (presentation day Dec. 4)
  • practice first movement of Haydn Divertimento with metronome

Even if you aren’t familiar with the specifics of my list, each bullet has a clear objective. There’s an important difference between “start Psychology Senior Thesis Poster” and “create outline of thesis material to go on Psychology Poster”. Above, there is a preliminary step and what to use for it, an outline from my thesis material. In addition, the above clearly states a deadline. For me, it helps to put in specific details that help me actually break down the larger assignment and want to complete it (cross items off a list is so gratifying). Sometimes I sprinkle smaller tasks throughout my list so when I cross them off, I feel like I am getting things done (I am all about little victories). A smaller list in addition to above includes:

  • schedule a dentist appointment
  • make lunch plans with [insert high school friend here] for Friday

These items are much easier to accomplish and can take as much as 5 minutes. The fun things on my list are what I want to do first. After I complete them, I do feel like I am getting things done, which then propels me into wanting to get the rest crossed off.

2. Feel Free to Search Without Limits

During Thanksgiving break, I will more formally begin my job search. This process will also include a list. But I have also realized that this process, for me, will include a the ability to search without limits. Through some self-reflection, I have realized that planning for what comes next is an immense opportunity. Instead of searching for a job like a chore, I have been having some fun just imagining what could be. Right now, I believe I am very flexible and very willing to apply for so many varied positions. That is leading me to have a positive attitude towards the process. For instance, I am widening my options beyond arts and orchestral management. I find myself asking questions, what would the mission statement of a company that I would want to work for be? How would I want to contribute to the office culture? These questions are also important to address along with my relevant career interests. By feeling free to search without limits, my list (refer back to item number 1) of positions I plan on applying for is at a comfortable number.

3. Know when to say yes and no

This semester, I have been learning this lesson the hard way. For a lot of us, I think it is easy to overexert ourselves and simultaneously believe that we are not doing all that we can all the time to put ourselves in a position for success. Discovering how I draw boundaries for myself in academics, extracurricular activities, and interpersonal relationships is so incredibly important. Along these lines, self-care is immensely important. I believe that I cannot be fully present or produce my best work if it is going to be at the expense of seriously compromising my emotional or mental health. I am learning how to take care of myself and how I can actively incorporate that into a daily lifestyle (shout out to my friends who have inspired me to keep track of my steps everyday, the included iPhone “Health” app has a pedometer).

What are your plans for the break? I hope they include some rest and relaxation and some productive procrastination that will keep your momentum going at your own pace!

The Most Valuable Transferable Skill: Writing

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Through the very persistent prodding of my dad, I self-published a book of creative writing and illustrations during my first year in high school. I compiled about 5 years of personal and class work along with self-made drawings and photographs. Since the first finished product, my dad prompted me to start the next one. The sparse collection of works for the next manuscript continues to live on my laptop. It’s a hodgepodge of high school creative writing assignments, intimate reflections polished for public eyes, and formal attempts and technique practice. Although I have unfortunately neglected my creative projects, I am always writing (how many times can I mention thesis in this post?).  I will always be expected to write well throughout career and life.

The real goal is to look this cuddly when writing…

To me, writing remains one of the most valuable, transferable skills. In this semester alone, I have probably already written over 30 pages of material, and thesis isn’t even done yet (double majoring isn’t really that bad until thesis happens…)! More and more I realize that academic and creative writing share a similar, general purpose: to communicate. During the summer of 2014, as part of my summer research program at the University of Chicago, I participated in a course on “Academic and Professional Writing.”  It sounds dry and daunting, but believe me, never have I been more informed of the tiniest of adjustments that can make a huge adjustment in writing (the professor was a former lawyer, so she definitely knew a thing or two about manipulating rhetoric).

  1. Avoid nominalizations

The word nominalization itself is a nominalization, turning a verb, adjective, or adverb into a noun. You know what I’m talking about, those words ending in “-tion” that seem to sputter out at 2 AM on the keyboard, making it that bit closer to the final page requirement. Take this example:

  • The lack of editing of the committee’s statements was a failure of responsibility and resulted in ineffective communication.

Revise nominalizations:

  • Lacking editing, the committee’s statements were responsible for ineffective communication.

Wow are those even the same sentence?! The second sentence clearly designates a subject. There is something accountable, the committee’s statements, for the ineffective communication. Yes, there are still nominalizations (i.e. lacking editing), but this gerund form actually serves as an adjective (wow, grammar nerd alert)! Nominalizations might be lurking everywhere on your resume or personal statements. In writing that has tight format restrictions or limited word count, revise and remove nominalizations! Those suckers take up too much space from what you actually want to say!

2. Who is the doer of the action?

Like I mentioned above, writing is much more powerful if there is something or someone accountable for the actions of a sentence. This tip is tricky when it comes to academic writing. We avoid personal pronouns. Even in academic writing, the doer of the action can be clear (fun fact, the following sentence is from my thesis):

  • The formality of classical music culture focuses heavily on a live performance as an assessment of skill and level which effects levels of MPA.

There are two verbs here, focuses and effects. How can these two “actions” be streamlined?

  • Classical music culture focuses on live performances as skill and talent assessments, effecting musicians level of performance anxiety.

Now, it is clear that classical music culture is what focuses on live performance and performance anxiety. “The formality” served as another nominalization.

3. Get it all out, and then revise, revise, revise…

… and have multiple people look over it if you can. It is important to get the “bad first draft” out of the way and then to revise from there. If possible, have as many pairs of eyes look over your work. They are bound to catch something you haven’t and if they don’t understand what you’re saying, there’s a chance not many other people will either.

4. KNOW YOUR AUDIENCE!

If you take anything away form this blog post, other than I need to edit my thesis still, take away this tip. When writing, always know your audience. I have heard this from so many of my mentors and professors in all types of fields. For instance, in a cover letter, an employer will know their company’s history, so you shouldn’t go into a long history about the place. But has this company shaped your opinion on a topic you learned in a class and you want to write about it for a final paper? That’s where the history should go, and how it has informed your understanding and opinion.

When you’re writing, a paper, a cover letter, an official statement, what is your process? How do you shape your personal voice while still maintaining content integrity? Whatever it is, I hope it comes with a constant vigilance for fixing typos and communicating the message to your reader!

Finding Motivation When Needed Most

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This semester, without a doubt, has been my most academic and emotionally challenging at Scripps (sending much love to seniors, because thesis, and to those who are dealing with daily battles of trying to navigate class spaces in which minority representation are unheard and underrepresented). I remember a lulling moment near the end of my internship this past summer when I was already planning for the fall. Thinking about senior fall was motivating me through a slow work environment. But how could that then seemingly endless time help me now? On a daily basis, I feel like this:

“How are you doing?” “Oh, just trying to keep my head above water.”

I literally feel like I cannot stop. It’s often a whirlwind of “what am I doing?” and “well, I am doing something.” But there is an end and a method to the madness, I can see it! My November calendar has never looked more full of color coordinated deadlines consisting of thesis drafts and course final papers and projects. In addition, the job search has begun. This new endeavor has constituted of updating my resume (Remember resumania! through CP&R Nov.2 through Nov.13. Seniors, we get a full-size, professional padfolio for submitting!), some clumsy navigating of the new LinkedIn format, and being very open to many and all options. Each day I cross off on that neon marked up calendar means more work. But the end of each day also means I have already completed a lot of work and can move forward. The end of each day, whether that’s 12 AM or 2 AM, means I got a lot done (and I get to fall asleep).

So how do I keep motivated when I need it the most? I’ve been trying to put my stress into perspective and deconstruct. As someone who gets really easily stressed out, this has been difficult, but overall effective. I know I have a tendency to worry about petty things and it definitely does not help me get anything done. Instead of spinning myself down a hole of negativity, I remember that I can ask for help. I remember my worrying is completely valid within my experience. I remember that I should take one thing at a time. For me, thinking “it’ll get done” is really oddly effective. That simple (and easier said than done solution) makes me want to get things checked off. It is all about breaking down the larger whole, or as my mom tells me, “Eat away the elephant” (just a metaphor, strongly against poaching of wild animals).

Eating away at the elephant for me has recently consisted of juggling upcoming deadlines and meetings. Admittedly, I have a hard time accepting that I can’t always do everything I want to do, let alone as well as I want to do them. Regardless, the academic and school-achievement related stress is an absolute privilege. Realizing this motivates me, and it motivates me intrinsically, because I know that my time here at Scripps is an immense investment in so many ways. The thought of being able to make a living by providing some of those same opportunities is equally as motivating for me.

What motivates you through drudging times? Whatever it is, I hope you feel proud! Because, heck, you should celebrate yourself!

End of Days

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Congratulations, we have officially passed the semester’s halfway point! Many of us joked, myself included, about how the first three weeks of September felt like 3-months. But now I’m feeling the wear of 2 AM nights, the frustration of planned, deliberate studying not aligning with my final expectations, the pressures form others to fulfill their expectations of me when I am struggling just to happy with myself.

A big part of senior year has been learning how to do things for myself, long-term things. I’ll be honest, a lot of my plans are falling apart and I’m having second thoughts. While many of my peers are further along with the job search from interviews to full offers and acceptances, I am just beginning to seriously consider full-time employment immediately after college. And I have, to me great surprise, not immensely freaked out about that. To me, that is just my reality as it is now. One of my friends said this last week during the middle of our lunch conversation, “Where are we going to be in a year? 8 months isn’t that far away!” She’s right, and that’s about as real as a full draft of thesis within the next 2 to 3 weeks.

While writing this post, I remembered a song I found and started listening to sophomore year. This was during a time when I wasn’t putting myself first and I was emotionally compromising myself, but I wanted to work through and past that. The lyrics really reigned true to me, “you have to do these things for yourself, my mind is odd and fevered.” I just wanted to be immersed in everything I was doing, finding that right balance, and ultimately, be happy and proud of what I was doing. I have no doubt that that mentality and amazing family and friend support got me through an emotional year with a secured research internship position.

I am feeling like that again; balance in my academics, viola practicing, family relationships, friendships, romantic relationship, and physiological health are my ultimate path to a flowing rhythm of contentedness, of happiness. But each of those aspects ebb and flow too, or push back with challenges that threaten balance. Sometimes when I do achieve a satisfactory balance, I wonder how long it will be before something breaks, and which one it will be.

I think it is realistic to anticipate faltering balance, because something will always need an adjustment. But once I found those things that I know you can’t compromise, I’ve held onto them. Once I realized that I owe my parents’ my whole life, I want build a career that in some way even just begin to express my gratitude.

At the end of the day, I know I need music in the future. I need to play viola to a somewhat similar capacity that I am now, in an orchestra or chamber group. I know I need to be in a place where I can reach my family. I do not necessarily need to live nearby, but I need to make it back to them with timely convenience. But how do you pursue you want and what is best for you while maintaining good relationships with those you love?

At the “end of days,” how do you reflect upon your independent choices, all advice taken into consideration?

Did Not Go According to Plan

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At the end of my junior year, I left for the summer thinking that returning to campus would mean picking up exactly where I left off. But I left Claremont looking back too much, not propelling myself for a summer in D.C. I quickly realized I just had to move on. I initially had to force myself into being excited for my summer internship, until it was genuine (I was that one intern who introduced herself first in the Facebook group…).  I thought this opportunity was going to be a direct gateway into an immediate job offer after graduating. I thought I would reach some sort of cathartic clarity about a definite career path. I thought by the time fall semester rolled around I would be applying to only arts administrative and conventional jobs. These were idealistic, cop-out thoughts. I deluded myself into thinking that there wouldn’t be a self-struggle. Because in reality, professionally and personally, all of my summer did not go according to plan.

I could spend forever imaging how the summer would have gone if it had “gone according to plan.” I would have had a job by now, I would have applied to graduate programs for music performance, I would have learned more of my senior recital repertoire, I would have more written on my psychology thesis (I wish this one went according to plan…), I would have been single (I’m glad this one didn’t). The truth is, I was so darn confused about all of these things. The summer was shaping up to be everything I didn’t expect, but I was getting way too caught up in my head and making problems for myself.

There’s no point in ruminating on the could haves, should haves, would haves. Because I was thrown into so many situations I didn’t expect to be in, because I made a lot of great friends and create solid relationships, I was able to learn how to have an open mind, be flexible, and making uncomfortable situations a learning experience. It’s easier said than done to be present in the moment, to evaluate and breakdown overwhelming life transitions. But sometimes it helps me to think, it’s okay to not be okay. Sometimes, in order to grow, you have to be confused.

At the end of the summer, I left DC unsure about my previous plans, but with a new outlook that makes me excited about the future, even though it’s still so uncertain. I am trying my best to be mindful and present, speaking my truth as I know it now. Right now, I know that my mind and body feel exhausted, but I also know that there’s not much else I can do but to chug along. Take each day, moment by moment, readjusting and reevaluating if it did not go according to plan.

What do you do when things do not go according to plan? Have some of your successes emerged from unexpected, surprising opportunities? I hope that throws you a curve ball, you’re ready to recognize and make the next best move.