PinnedAdvocating for Better Sleep and Work, The Research LifeI started this blog writing project during the height of covid-19 in a fit of boredom, but I continue to write the blog because advocating for better sleep and more focused work is something that I enjoy. For my work, I am an academic sleep researcher. Sleep is something that…Sleep4 min readSleep4 min read
Jan 14Handwriting In Goodnotes: A Tool For Reading, Research, and Journaling, The Research Life.A Three Part Note-Taking Series. — Note-taking is fun. Most of my writing starts as a note somewhere. It might originate from my academic work or my morning journaling. These notes often form the basis of long-form, polished writing (e.g., manuscripts, emails, blogs). GoodNotes is one note-taking tool that I’ve used since I was a graduate…Apple2 min readApple2 min read
Jan 14A Digital Journaling Setup: Where to Journal?Integrating A GoodNotes Journal With Other Journaling Mediums — The last several years have not been easy. One peaceful constant for me has been journaling. I’ve journaled daily since 2019. But deciding where to journal has been challenging. I’ve used several apps, mediums, and materials. I started with digital journaling, transitioned to analog, and have ultimately decided on a…Journal6 min readJournal6 min read
Jan 14How and Why to Use the Zoom Window in GoodNotesZoom in for focused thought. — Writing on the iPad screen feels difficult sometimes. I’ve struggled with writing neatly on the glass of the iPad. The zoom window on the GoodNotes app helps me to feel more in control of my writing, write more quickly, and legibly on the iPad. How to Use The Zoom Window Using the zoom window in GoodNotes…Notetaking3 min readNotetaking3 min read
Jan 14Reading PDFs for Research: Three Reasons To Consider GoodNotesOrganize your digital reading workflow. — Reading is a necessary part of the research process. I reference many PDFs when learning about a new research topic. Since printing articles can get messy, I use digital mediums for reading. Most of my reading is done with an iPad and Apple Pencil. In the past, I’ve switched between…Academia4 min readAcademia4 min read
Nov 19, 2022The Case for Apple Notes, a Reference Material and Writing Workflow, The Research Life.You Can Certainly “Just Use Apple Notes” for Internet-Based Referencing and Writing. Here Are Some Practical Use Cases. — There’s a lot of talk about tools and note-taking in the creativity space. In effect, tools are just tools. They may help us write more efficiently in some cases, but to write, we could get by with paper and pen. …Apple7 min readApple7 min read
Nov 19, 2022My Guide for Good Meetings: Good Note-Taking, The Research Life.A quick guide to focused meeting notes from a highly introverted academic. — I often prefer writing over talking. That’s just who I am. But, in my day-to-day workflow, conversations are important. For example, meetings often require a lot of talking. Over several years as a graduate student and now postdoctoral researcher, I’ve developed a loose set of meeting rules that help me…Academia5 min readAcademia5 min read
Nov 4, 2022How Are Light, Social Media, and Our Sleep Related?, The Research Life.Digital minimalism principles for better sleep: spend more time outside, less time on the phone, and sleep better. Read this to get a research-based perspective. — Reducing nighttime light exposure is a common sleep tip. Light is often coupled with using electronic devices (e.g., mobile phones, tablets). Our electronics also give us access to endless streams of information that can be disruptive to our sleep. But there may be ways to counteract these sleep disruptions.Sleep6 min readSleep6 min read
Sep 30, 2022Are E-Ink Devices Worth It?, Here’s My Experience, The Research Life.These days, we spend extended periods in front of a computer screen. Constant exposure to backlit devices can feel draining. As an academic researcher and writer, I use a screen to read articles, analyze data, respond to emails, attend meetings, and write manuscripts. After years of staring at backlit devices…Academia7 min readAcademia7 min read
Sep 25, 2022Advantages of E-Ink Devices: Some Things That I Miss About the Supernote A6x, The Research Life.All the good things about using the Supernote A6x. — E-ink devices like the Supernote A6x can make note-taking a fun experience. I no longer own the Supernote, but there are some features that I miss about it. After using it daily for several months, I particularly enjoyed its small size, handwritten email feature, and excellent file search. Perfect Form and Functions For Note-Taking The Supernote…Academia4 min readAcademia4 min read
