5.2 process doc/ reflection
Over the course of 5.2 we were given a handful of smaller briefs with the idea of establishing ways of using technology to aid our workflows. It’s about figuring out more efficient ways of working. To start we were told to identify where within our personal workflows that we struggle the most / feel less creative. Comparatively to my peers, I was unable to separate my academic workflow issues, from my everyday life. Thus, I found this module to be rather exposing, as I was dealing with and discussing issues that I was in denial about for years. I am however, with the belief that this module- though I may have tackled it differently to how my professors intended- is entirely beneficial. It Is setting the foundations necessary for me to have a healthier and more effective workflow. Naturally, this took a lot out of me mentally, and was a rather distracting process, thus the actual briefs that were set were put to one side.
Within this process document I will lay out the conversations that were had across the course of these weeks, whilst attempting to highlight the issues I need help with, alongside the things I can and can’t improve. Additionally, I will reflect on how the sessions I attended revealed my ways of working, ways of learning and of course my feature trajectory/ interests.
The conversations where had with multiple professors (Ash, Graham, Mary) including my academic advisor (Martyn), as well as university issued mentors/ advise teams (Well-being, disability, and a general mentor). A lot of grounds were covered, but the main issues identified were sleep revenge procrastination, imposter syndrome, disordered eating, mental health- anxiety and panic, and issues with time management and organisational skills. I believe that I need to combat/ get a better handle of some of these things if I want to achieve a healthier workflow.
As a result of these conversations, I have been given a referral for future counselling sessions, I have applied for DSA funding which will grant me access to specialist mentoring sessions and I have applied for an educational plan- which will allow me access to a couple different educational website aids, such as speechify and Grammarly pro. I think once I gain access to these things I will feel much less overwhelmed.
Furthermore, as a result of my well-being assessment, I now understand that the majority of my issues aren’t something that I can just get rid of, as they are linked to my neurodivergence -ADHD and dyslexia. However, there are methods I can try to make them a lot more manageable. If I can’t get a better control over my sleep for instance, I will never be able to function to my true potential.
I will say that as of right now, I am very much still in the middle of this self-discovery and help process. I haven’t yet learnt about these potential methods, but I now know it’s something I can’t just ignore.
One thing this module did help me understand, is ways of working and learning that are both effective and ineffective for me. For example, I have been unable to take anything from Jon’s sessions, due to the way the sessions are taught and the classroom layout. If I am to learn from a tutorial, I need a more conversational setting, I need to be able to make notes and ask questions. I need to understand what the tools are and what they are used for and not just be told what tool to use when for creating this specific piece. I do not learn in an environment like Jon’s session, however once I had managed to schedule in a 1on1 session with him, I was able to comprehend significantly more in the 35mins with him than in the 10-12 hours of tutorials we had.
One thing that I have grown to understand, is that just because how I work isn’t traditional or deemed the norm, doesn’t mean that I have to scrap that and conform. To make it more controlled and effective, I can do things in preparation but also acknowledge that it’s okay if things don’t go to plan (for example, the task takes longer that initially intended). For me this looks like, acknowledging that I work best when the deadline is near and also working late in the night. So instead of beating myself up all week for not having started the work yet, I will block out my schedule to be sure that I have the time free to do the work in the time and environment that is most effective for me. Additionally, as this eats into my sleep time, I will aim to sleep more the previous night, and will schedule in time for a nap, this way I will be more awake when combatting the task but also the following day I won’t be as zombie like. Moreover, because I feel like I can’t focus on one task whilst I know I have other things to be doing, part of my preparation will be allowing myself and schedule in time to tackle any other task that feels important first in a guilt freeway (not in a negative procrastination way).
As for technologies that I have discovered throughout these weeks, there are a few that by the sounds of them, may improve the efficiency of my workflow. This includes However, I have not yet had the time to experiment with them, but I do intend to be moving forward. I think the concept of automating is so interesting, like finding ways of making a task go by quicker. From Graham’s tutorials, this is something that I have learnt that I want to research and experiment with.
Even though this was not a traditional process document, I hope that you can understand from my reflection what I was able to take from this module. Though I am somewhat disappointed in myself for not doing the work how it was intended.
