From: Erica Sausner
Date: May 1
Subject: Your Productive Summer Strategy: Maintain Momentum Without the Burnout


Green background. White text: Binghamton University. The Graduate School

Welcome to May!

(Which is close enough to summer for us!)

Summer is an opportunity to redefine your progress. As you transition into this break, plan a strategy that secures your research and career momentum while intentionally protecting time for rest and rejuvenation.

We've curated a collection of targeted, high-impact professional development opportunities designed to fit strategically into your summer, ensuring focused progress without leading to burnout.

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Phase 1: Strategize (Early-to-Mid May)

The key to a relaxing summer is a solid plan. We kick off the summer with resources to build that foundation:

  • May 4–8: Beyond the Professoriate PhD. Career Conference (Lunchtime Webinars): This week of lunchtime webinars provides actionable insights allowing you to advance your professional outlook with minimal time commitment.
  • May 14: "Every summer needs a plan" Webinar: This is your essential strategy session. No more vague intentions. No more “I’ll try to write more.” You’ll walk away with:
    ✔ Clear personal and professional goals
    ✔ A concrete writing plan
    ✔ A realistic schedule aligned with your energy and commitments
    ✔ A strategy for support, community, and accountability
    ✔ A plan that prioritizes both productivity and balance

  • Mark your calendar: We will continue to host weekly accountability sessions to support your progress. The Scholarly Work Session (once known as the “Grad School Writing Room”) offers a hybrid option to support you focusing on making progress. Join us each week on Wednesday, 9a-noon (starting May 27).

Phase 2: Focused Production & Upskilling (June)

June is about accelerating your writing and research skills in structured, time-boxed environments.

  • June 8–12: Hybrid Writing Retreat:This is your dedicated deep-work sprint. By committing to focused writing from 10 am–3 pm daily, you leverage community accountability for maximum output while guaranteeing your evenings and weekends remain free for life and relaxation. We provide the structure; you provide the manuscript.

  • June (All Month): Instats Free Trial: Don't let statistical analysis stall your progress. Get free trial access to the powerful InStats platform for the entire month of June, giving you the time and tools to master new data analysis skills without financial risk.

  • Ongoing:  Scholarly Work Sessions with a hybrid option. Wednesdays, 9a-noon.

Phase 3: Accountability and Consistency (July & Ongoing)

We provide accountability to help you maintain consistent effort through the mid-summer slump.

  • July 6–19: 14-Day Writing Challenge:This challenge prevents stagnation by focusing on habit-building. Two weeks of daily prompts and check-ins will force a breakthrough on your project, injecting momentum when you need it most.

  • Weekly: Hybrid Scholarly Work Sessions: For low-pressure, continuous support, join our weekly work sessions. These ongoing, flexible sessions provide a quiet, dedicated space—virtually or in-person—to maintain your forward momentum without the pressure of a deadline or formal instruction.

This strategic, phased approach ensures that every hour you invest this summer is productive, intentional, and balanced, allowing you to move your goals forward and still enjoy your break.

The Graduate School