OK, I haven't been writing anything about my PhD progress lately. I've been reading a LOT. I mean really, a lot. As my superb Chair reminds me, lead an interesting life to produce an interesting dissertation. How do you do that if you live on a tight graduate student budget?
For some things, you have to experience it vicariously. I do that by reading extensively. Within and across disciplines. I read different kinds of books and magazines from outside my discipline because that stimulates creativity. I have diverse experiences. I don't surround myself with people who are like me, I don't think there is anyone like me anyway. *wink* Yes, I do have lifelong friends who have similar interests but I cross borders to learn new things. There is a certain fatigue to this, I agree.
Don't be afraid to venture out of your discipline. I have written about this before, sometimes, cultural and disciplinary groups like to just stick together. There is a merit to this and a disadvantage. Why would I want to keep reading and listening to ideas sort of like yeah-i've-heard-that-before? They won't stimulate me to grow.
It is through differences that change is forged. And don't we always say in ed psych, learning is about making changes.
For some things, you have to experience it vicariously. I do that by reading extensively. Within and across disciplines. I read different kinds of books and magazines from outside my discipline because that stimulates creativity. I have diverse experiences. I don't surround myself with people who are like me, I don't think there is anyone like me anyway. *wink* Yes, I do have lifelong friends who have similar interests but I cross borders to learn new things. There is a certain fatigue to this, I agree.
Don't be afraid to venture out of your discipline. I have written about this before, sometimes, cultural and disciplinary groups like to just stick together. There is a merit to this and a disadvantage. Why would I want to keep reading and listening to ideas sort of like yeah-i've-heard-that-before? They won't stimulate me to grow.
It is through differences that change is forged. And don't we always say in ed psych, learning is about making changes.
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