I recently received an email asking me to describe my daily routine as a university professor. The daily routine of a professor varies depending on their field of study and whether they are hired for research or teaching. A research professor mainly focuses on conducting research and teaching graduate students. On the other hand, a professor at a teaching-focused university primarily instructs undergraduate students, with research being a secondary task.

My mid-sized university offers a range of undergraduate and graduate degrees. The university expects me to balance my teaching, research, and governance work. In this article, I will describe the daily routine of a business professor during the summer semester when I am not teaching. I will explain my daily routine during the Fall and Winter semesters later.

Morning:

I wake up at 5:30 am on weekdays. The first thing I do is prepare an  Americano, which is espresso coffee mixed with hot water. Sometimes I add creamer if I have it available. After taking a quick shower and getting dressed in comfortable clothes, I head to my home office in the basement. 

Once in the office, I briefly meditate before working on my manuscript for one to two hours. Then, I take a long walk to clear my mind. When I return around 9:00 am, I check my to-do list for the day. 

As I practice intermittent fasting, I rarely have breakfast. In my home office, I work on preparing presentation slides for an annual conference that usually takes place in late May or early June. I also review manuscripts that scholarly journal editors send for peer review. Just before noon, I read and reply to my emails. Sometimes, I declutter my inbox by deleting unnecessary emails or unsubscribing from newsletters or unwanted emails.

Lunch:

During the spring and summer months, my schedule permits me to take breaks and have lunch on the patio. Sometimes, my husband joins me, and we prefer to have a more substantial meal and enjoy a more extended conversation. Other times, I may opt for a sandwich instead.
After lunch, I may meet with my Research Assistant or attend meetings. These meetings usually extend till 2:30 p.m.

Early afternoon:

In the afternoons, typically after 3:00 p.m., I relish having a refreshing iced coffee made of espresso and almond milk while catching up on the latest publications in my area of expertise. I usually read multiple journals, including the Academy of Management Journal, Journal of Applied Psychology, Journal of Organizational Behavior, Leadership Quarterly, and Applied Psychology: An International Review. However, some days, my afternoons are packed with meetings since faculty members are assigned to different committees. During this time of the year, it is expected to be in a meeting with the Grade Appeals Committee. Nevertheless, committee meetings tend to be less hectic during the spring and summer months.

Late afternoon:

I spend up to four more hours reading, taking notes, and developing ideas for new or existing manuscripts to present at academic conferences and submit to journals.

Evening:

Since I don’t teach during these months, I spend time with family. I prepare supper, chit-chat, and hang out with my husband till about 9:30 p.m.

Night:

My schedule can vary. If I have a lot of work to do, I stay late in my office. For instance, I recently spent several days and nights, including weekends, working on an application for the New Research Initiative Fund from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC) Explore Grant. Sometimes, I can finish most of my tasks before dinner, so I use that time for housekeeping activities like updating files, checking emails or watching YouTube videos.

I usually go to bed by 11 p.m. in the spring and summer. However, I go to bed after midnight during the school year and sometimes even pull an all-nighter. Although it’s rare, sometimes I can’t write, think, or work because I’m experiencing writer’s block, feeling unmotivated or exhausted. I rest, go fishing, work on passion projects, or bake during those times.
Being a professor means working long days, sometimes on weekends, both on and off campus. It can be a lonely profession.

Thank you for asking – I hope you find this information helpful. Please share your experiences too.

Best regards,
Ivy XO