Test-Driven Development
• Unit tests
• 1 test per “thing”
• Top-down
• If Research Problem was solved, what would be possible?
• Bottom-up
• Naïve algorithm
• Strawman
• Free progress bar for research!
Don’t become a zombie
• Stagnation, Zero excitement, Feeling Lost
• Internships
• Take breaks (real vacations)
• Don’t let your ego get in the way
• It’s ok to quit a problem
• (instead of the PhD!)
• Breadth is a strength
PhD…
Be happy: Tangible rewards
• Challenge: Research problems, submissions are “abstract” efforts
• Idea: Align “abstract” efforts with tangible rewards
• Example: Paper Submission: Hardware Upgrade
• Note: not publication, submission
• Important to pick the right metrics here
• Remove resource constraints ASAP
• Books, furniture, hard drives, food
• Worth it even if your univ. doesn’t reimburse!
• “Grand Slam”