I don’t know what the hell this thing I’m working on is — but whatever it can be described as, I’d like to have a working understanding of this new support structure by the time my classes start in January. It’s the closest thing I can think of a timeline, because, once I’m sucked into the schedule of a full-time employee and simultaneous grad student, I’d just like to know the ways I can / cannot lean on my support network. The most important things I’d like to know are (a) the ways I can access the supports I need and (b) the ways that I can do so that won’t disrupt anyone else’s hustle.

I’ll be so busy with my other professional pursuits that I’d just like to know rules and boundaries beforehand, before crisis, so I can navigate them fairly and ethically in the moment.

Good luck in your dissertation writing!

We’ll revisit this whenever you tell me you’re ready!