With the Weekly Schedule, the Exhibition WORK LIFE OF CAMPUS gives an overview on a typical weekly schedule based on the experiences and lived realities of scientists and students with care responsibilities at RESET universities. By this, the exhibition aims to highlight the variety of working processes, that need to be coordinated and organized within the working schedules and with care responsibilities and leisure time.
Take a look at one example by an Assistant Professor at the University of LODZ.
Profession and Discipline: Assistant Professor, Cultural Studies
Age: 45
Taking care of: 2 children (ages 6 and 13)
Freetime Activities: reading, watching TV series, yoga, taking walks, cycling
| MONDAY | TUESDAY | WEDNESDAY | THURSDAY | FRIDAY | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
07:00 |
Breakfast/Getting kids ready for school and kindergarten |
Breakfast/Getting kids ready for school and kindergarten |
Breakfast/Getting kids ready for school and kindergarten |
Breakfast/Getting kids ready for school and kindergarten |
Breakfast/Getting kids ready for school and kindergarten |
|
08:00 |
Planning and organising activities for the whole week |
E-mails/admin work |
E-mails/admin work |
E-mails/admin work |
EU-funded projects’ activities |
|
09:00 |
Office hours |
Yoga/cycling |
Yoga/cycling |
Meeting with co-workers |
|
|
10:00 |
Online activities (e.g., meetings within projects) |
EU-funded projects’ activities |
Preparation of courses/communication with students |
Online activities (e.g., meetings within projects) |
|
|
11:00 |
Office hours |
Writing articles Research time |
|||
|
12:00 |
Preparation of courses/communication with students |
Writing articles Research time |
Class |
||
|
13:00 |
MA Seminar |
Writing articles Research time |
|||
|
14:00 |
|||||
|
15:00 |
Lunch |
Lunch |
Lunch |
Lunch |
Lunch |
|
16:00 |
Kindergarten Getting home |
Kindergarten Getting home |
Kindergarten Getting home |
Kindergarten Getting home |
Kindergarten Getting home |
|
17:00 |
Homework/play Outdoor activities |
E-mails/admin work |
E-mails/admin work |
Homework/play Outdoor activities |
Summarising work activities To-do list for next week |
|
18:00 |
Extracurricular activities (older daughter) |
Homework/play Outdoor activities |
Homework/play Outdoor activities |
Extracurricular activities (older daughter) |
Play/outdoor activities with kids |
|
19:00 |
Supper |
Supper |
Supper |
Supper |
|
|
20:00 |
Putting kids to bed Reading to younger daughter |
Putting kids to bed Reading to younger daughter |
Putting kids to bed Reading to younger daughter |
Putting kids to bed Reading to younger daughter |
Supper/family activities (listening to music, watching movies, staying outside in the courtyard, etc.) |
|
21:00 |
E-mails/admin work |
E-mails/admin work |
E-mails/admin work |
E-mails/admin work |
Meeting with friends/quality time with family |
|
22:00 |
Reading Watching TV series |
Reading Watching TV series |
Reading Watching TV series |
Reading Watching TV series |
To what extent is this your typical weekly schedule? Are there more frequent variations?
This is my typical weekly schedule for April 2023. It does not include weekends. I try not to work on weekends and have some detox from computer, social media, e-mails and screens but, unfortunately, I still found it difficult not to do any work-related activities. I typically work for 2-3 hours on Sunday evening, preparing myself for all the activities in the coming week. Also, in the summertime I usually plan some research activities. This year in July I am going to spend 4 weeks in the US doing research for my book and within one of my projects. I try to take my family when I travel for research abroad.
What do you find particularly challenging about your weekly schedule?
I struggle not to work in the evenings but sometimes this is unavoidable (then I typically do administrative work, e-mails, communication on Teams with co-workers and students, and advertising work-related events on social media). I also read research-related publications and reports. As mentioned above, the main challenge is working on weekends. I try to have at least Friday afternoon and evening as well as Saturday free of any professional engagement.
What important events or people could not find a place in the timeline?
When I was younger, I found it difficult to have enough time for family and friends. After the COVID-19 pandemics I changed my attitude and try to have enough time for my children and partner in the morning, in the afternoon and in the evening. I do struggle, though, to maintain close relationship with friends.
How do you arrange time periods and tasks with other people (e.g. partners, family members, colleagues or friends)?
I try to plan meetings, trips, consultations, etc. way ahead. Since I coordinate a few EU-funded projects, I cooperate with a diverse group of researchers who are equally busy as I am. That is why it is important to arrange tasks and activities in advance. As for family, we plan our weekly schedule with my Partner typically on Sunday, diving home activities (cleaning, shopping, cooking) equally.
