@ecosarahflynn
PhD Candidate in aquatic biogeochemistry | Interested in terrestrial-aquatic interfaces | Seeking postdoc opportunities for summer 26 | Actually three kids in a trench coat | she/her | BLM https://ecosarahflynn.weebly.com/
This week, I participated in a 4-day Dissertation Accelerator at the University of Kansas. I was able to:
- Write over 3000 words (~ 13 pages)
- Revise twice that amount
- Format 3/5 chapters
- Complete & revise drafts of all 5 chapters
Feeling super prepared to defend my dissertation in April!!
What did I miss? Please feel free to share other tasks and tips!
Some productivity tips that have helped me:
Listen to a video game or movie soundtrack while you work, it makes writing feel like a side quest
Leave notes for future you when you stop for the day
Light a candle (create a calm environment)
Set goals for each hour/day/week/semester
and POMODORO!
Write out the easy stuff!
Figure captions
Data availability statements (and clean up your data and scripts as you go!)
Supplement
Title page/chapter headings for dissertation
Acknowledgements
References
Cover letter
Read new, relevant papers
Re-read old papers, especially ones you'll cite
Read papers from your target journal for stylistic inspiration
Take notes - what questions do you see popping up frequently in your field? What concepts are colleagues repeatedly studying?
Review conceptual/framework papers
Reverse outline your chapters
Check each paragraph and make sure your topic sentence is the first sentence - don't bury the lead
Write your abstract
Check journal requirements and update figures/tables accordingly
Draft a conceptual diagram for each chapter - even if you don't end up publishing it
Are you a graduate student nearing the end of your degree? All you have left to do is write the dissertation or thesis, and you're realizing that writing for 40 hours a week is impossible. I've put together a list of tasks necessary for writing, but doesn't necessarily require as much brain power.
Our annual fundraiser is officially open from Nov. 3–Dec. 3, 2025! These funds directly support our grad students and their amazing work in the lab, the community, and beyond! To support our students, find us at Launch KU or follow the link below!
launchku.org/campaigns/20...
The end of an era... we pulled everything from king's creek in Konza prairie, leaving no trace that AIMS ever happened. It took 8 people an entire day to clear the watershed. 1,601 days of data. 14 wells. 50 stics. And a scan and exo at the outlet. So long to this beautiful site, hello data!
One benefit of attending a conference at Konza Prairie: making a quick pit stop at our field site to do sensor maintenance! Had so much fun at Great Plains Limno and still feeling inspired by all the cool science.
Very grateful to have been able to do a 10k at my field site! I set a goal to do this race before leaving Kansas and I'm so proud of myself for completing it. Konza is one of my favorite places, and I've faced so many challenges here. It felt amazing to overcome one last challenge.
Hey folks! I'm seeing the light at the end of the tunnel for my dissertation. I'm not defending this semester, but I'm getting close. What are some things that you found helpful or wish you would have done earlier on in preparing for your defense? For context, I'll be TAing until I'm done!
a canva graphic that says "How it works Step 1: Go to SkypeAScientist.com Step 2: Click “Sign Up” then “Scientist Sign Up Form” Step 3: Tell us about yourself Step 4: Get matched with a classroom Step 5: Connect with the teacher Step 6: Make a kid’s day isn't that great? @SkypeAScientist"
Scientists!
@skypeascientist.bsky.social matches scientists with classrooms, libraries, & more for virtual Q&As! It's easy and fun!
We are looking for 750 more volunteers by 8/15
If you're down to chat with 1-5 classrooms this semester, sign up here
www.skypeascientist.com/sign-up.html
I'm going through my first peer review process after submitting my first paper. While the decision was "reject and resubmit," I was so pleasantly surprised by how kind, constructive, helpful, and specific the reviews were. Feeling a lot of gratitude and excitement to get this done.
Thanks to state legislation, state universities are compelling their employees to suppress their identities. Rather than prioritizing dignity, autonomy, and respect, Kansas leaders have demanded employees comply by erasing a piece of themselves. What message does this send to students?
Such a good reminder! I'll have to rewatch some comfort shows next time.
What do you all do on sick days? Anyone else guilt themselves into being "productive?" Or any tips on how to actually be restful? I've been going back and forth between doom scrolling and trying to make a dent in my "to read" list of papers and neither feels great.
#phdlife #migrainessuck
The National Science Foundation continues to be threatened with major cuts.
The link below lists the Congresspeople who are on the frontlines of deciding these cuts this week and would be well worth a quick call today if they’re in your state to advocate for not cutting NSF’s budget.
Budget cuts proposed by the Trump administration could lead to the closure of 26 long-term ecological research, or LTER, facilities across the United States, including the @kbslter.bsky.social.
www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news...
Curious about non-perennial stream biogeochemistry, BACI experiments, or what I’m working on next?
After lots of coffee and an intense battle with Weebly, I made a website!: ecosarahflynn.weebly.com
#FreshwaterScience #PhDLife #AcademicSky
Wrapping up your PhD? I’m planning to hire a postdoc in the next few months (start date flexible). Will start formally advertising soon, but you heard it here first!! Possible research topics include - critical zone hydrology, agricultural water quality, SW-GW interactions. Reach out if interested!
I commented. You should too!
Congratulations to everyone who ran the SFS 5k fun run this morning!
#SFS2025
This sounds so cool! I'm hosting a session at the same time but I'll be keeping my eyes peeled for that paper. 👀
So excited to see some familiar faces at our special session tomorrow! It'll be a good one, pop by! @connorbrown.bsky.social @vanessa-gc.bsky.social #SFS2025
Really looking forward to #SFS2025! Helping out with the Mentor Mixer with @crsmith.bsky.social was such a fun way to give back and grow our community. Can’t wait to keep "expanding horizons."
Congratulations Dr. Pruitt!!!
I passed! I’m so grateful for all the support :) Dr. Pruitt sounds pretty cool!
Final reminder with #SFS abstracts due Sunday, Feb 2, to submit to this session if you're planning to present on non-perennial stream systems!
and if you haven't yet - please fill out our final survey on non-perennial stream research! tinyurl.com/6b87ytxn
~Deadline Extended!!~ Abstracts are now due February 2nd! We're excited to see everyone in PR!