A Balancing Act

For Western Carolina University's Nate Kreuter, the most difficult part of a career in academia is balancing its associated responsibilities, he writes at Inside Higher Ed's Tyro Tracks blog. And that, he says, makes times management crucial.

"Whether or not your own department's expectations for teaching, research, and service are explicitly articulated, each activity will require different commitments of time and energy at different times," Kreuter says. "All three activities will persistently compete with one another for your attention and energy. But giving too much time and energy to any one category, and not enough to the other two, can spell disaster for a career."

Part of time management means knowing when to say "no," and spending the summer months wisely. "Effective time management also means reserving time for recovery, and time for fun, time for family, and time for friends," Kreuter adds.