For quals review material, see "quals2011."

Weekly Schedule

• Monday, March 21          read all questions; outline answers briefly; gather all articles/resources
  
• Tuesday, March 22          tackle question A (history/philosophy)
• Wednesday, March 23     tackle question B (administrative; 3 parts, 6-8 pages each)
• four critical issues challenging the leadership & management of HE
• philosophical & economic rationale for INCREASED public financial support of HE, & strategies to enhance financial stability
• strategic planning for dean of academic department
• Thursday, March 24        tackle question C (research critique, research design -- 2 parts)
• Friday, March 25             tackle question #4 (minor question); work on unfinished parts (like A)
• Saturday, March 26         formatting, APA citations
• Sunday, March 27           final edits
• Monday, March 28          day off work: clean house, treat self to movie/dinner

Daily Schedule

• morning:
• get up & eat breakfast at 7am
• work out
• shower, get dressed
• start writing at 9am each day
• noon: take a break between 12 and 1pm
• eat lunch 
• walk around the neighborhood -- absorb the quiet and sunshine
• afternoon: start again at 1pm
• snack lightly during afternoon / evening
• evening: when to stop? specific time?
• read something to cleanse the mental palate -- light non-fiction?
• work on citations & formatting in the evening for 1-2 hours
• read / knit / watch TV
• go to bed at 11pm

Ideal Environment

• in library downstairs
• large desk/table to spread out papers & books on
• adjustable, comfortable office chair 
• food available:
• comfort food (chicken nuggets, salsa, chips, fiber-y-pretzels, fruit, etc.) 
• unsalted nuts (pecans, cashews, walnuts, almonds)
• chocolate: small Dove dark chocolate bites
• mint chocolate chip ice cream as reward in evening
• breakfast: Special K fruit/yogurt + regular Special K, light vanilla soy milk, greek yogurt, and coffee or chai 
• have some produce on hand: oranges, maybe apples (cut into slices), avacado, celery
• coffee, creamer, tea, diet Coke with lime, water bottles 
• iPod playlists
• have soft instrumental study music for writing
• have driving "movement" music for research, hunting, thinking about topics

Setting a Week Aside

• will take the entire week of quals off of work (will prepare at work beforehand for this)
• let family, friends, & coworkers know about this well in advance
• especially let them know I will NOT be answering calls or emails until the week is over
• I will not:
• pay any bills
• talk on the phone (will only answer Alex) -- maybe provide for a "text '911'" emergency code
• cook any meals
• wash any dishes or laundry
• do any other housework
• answer any email (personal or work)
• log onto Facebook, blog, etc.
• do any work activities
• do any homework