Math Talk

I told one of my classes yesterday that a doing well in a tough university course is a bit like doing well in a marathon. I've never actually run a marathon (hmm, perhaps I'll put that on my to-do list). But I have run a half-marathon, and the advice I was given at the time resonated and extends to the academic world, I think.

The basic idea is this: success is achieved by steady effort, pushing a little bit every day and every week, to build up to the final race.

In training, you don't push it over the limit in one week, and then slack off the next. You monitor your condition, work with your limits, and take care of yourself. That means, among other things:

• having regular, healthy meals
• getting lots of sleep
• avoiding excessive use of drugs including caffeine, alcohol and tobacco
• avoiding stress where you can, and
• rewarding yourself for doing well, for incremental successes

All of these things will help you avoid getting sick; but if you do get sick - take care of yourself. Stay home, rest, get medical advice if necessary... don't try to push on through and tough it out. This is especially relevant with the 'flu season ramping up and the threat of H1N1, specifically.

This was in part inspired by taking my own advice and getting a little more sleep yesterday. I felt much more energetic and refreshed today! Just a little note in closing - I know that there's lots of you out there who actually have run marathons or done similar feats. Please feel free to comment and make your own suggestions for making it across the finish line.