Getting Organized - Lists, Literature & Letters

Introduction:

• Welcome to the Black-Liberation.Tech podcast!
• Host: Dr. Renee Jordan.
• Topic: Importance of getting organized and practical steps to achieve it.

Personal Anecdote:

• Sharing a story about helping one of Dr. Jordan’s nieces at Morgan State University get organized.
• Emphasis on the importance of staying organized.

Making Lists:

• Create a comprehensive list based on course syllabi.
• Map out the entire semester, including due dates for assignments, projects, and tests.
• Use lists to transition into calendars and schedules.
• Allocate time according to the complexity of the subjects.

Detailed Breakdown:

• Include course names, assignments, chapters to read, due dates, and grade weights.
• Example: Lab assignments vs. other coursework.

Checking Off Tasks:

• Celebrate accomplishments, no matter how small.
• Suggestions for rewards: Breaks, favorite activities, treats, and self-care.

Application in Work Life:

• Use lists for full-time work and long-term projects.
• Example: Writing quarterly reports to simplify annual reports.

Personal Example - Doctoral Research:

• Dr. Jordan’s experience with a literature review in her doctoral program.
• Importance of aligning coursework with personal research interests.
• Benefits: Progress in PhD journey, coursework completion, and comprehensive exam preparation.

Comprehensive Exams:

• Approach exams as a demonstration of learned knowledge.
• Focus on showing connections and understanding rather than just correct answers.

Research for Marginalized Communities:

• Look beyond mainstream academic texts.
• Seek literature from experts within marginalized communities.
• Focus on asset-based narratives.

Getting Organized for Applications:

• Steps for organizing applications for programs or jobs.
• Importance of setting deadlines for others (e.g., recommendation letters).
• Drafting letters of recommendation and support.
• Example: Policy analysis project in a Master’s program.

Tips for Drafting Letters:

• Highlight specific experiences and strengths.
• Provide drafts to recommenders to make their task easier.
• Send more requests than needed to ensure adequate support.

Conclusion:

• Recap of key points: Comprehensive lists, aligning coursework with research, celebrating achievements, organizing applications.

Thank you for listening, and have a great day!