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It is very important for your own health and progress to schedule time for work, fun and sleep. See How to manage your time as a grad student for more details on this. In addition to managing your time well make sure you are working in a clean, pleasant environment. Does your office look bad and dirty? Find help to clean it and make it pleasant to work in. Do you need a phone in the office? Talk to your advisor. Do you need a good chair or a desk? Talk to your advisor again. Your office is probably the place you will spend most of your time in. Make it enjoyable. Download nice music, bring in pictures, posters and flowers. Arrange things the way you like. Maybe invest in a coffee machine, a used sofa or a fridge, or a water delivery.
Ergonomics is a very important aspect of work. I have had a lot of problems that come from bad posture and prolonged computer work. I have also known many, many people who had similar problems and couldn't work for 6 months or more. Ask around. Chances are you will easily find 10 people who have wrist, arm, shoulder or neck pain but have never been injured in these areas. You will likely find 5 more that have had Carpal tunnel sindrome or Repetitive stress injury. Don't let this happen to you. Muscle and tendon strain that comes from bad computer posture or prolonged work hours can really disturb your studies and slow down your progress, if left untreated. If you feel pain when you work, see the doctor today. Don't neglect the symptoms because they are small and may go away. They won't. The doctor will be able to do some tests and accurately diagnose your problem. He/she will also be able to explain you how to avoid similar problems in the future.
There are a lot of computer ergonomics Web sites (just do a search on Google) and you can get plenty of information there. Student health center will also have brochures and consultations about proper computer posture. Below are a few tips that are far from comprehensive. Definitely do your own information search.
- Don't work more for 8 hours a day for a prolonged period.
- Make 5-minute breaks every half an hour. Get up, stretch, go drink some water.
- Don't type on laptop keyboard for prolonged time. This is about the worst way to type. Instead, if you only have laptop buy a regular keyboard and connect it to the laptop. Same goes for the laptop mouse. Buy a real one.
- Buy a keyboard and mouse tray. As you type your lower arms should make 90 degree or bigger angle with your upper arms. This is usually not the case with current desks and chairs. A keyboard tray is mounted beneath the desk and lowers the keyboard to the proper level. Find one that also tilts so your wrists are not bent when typing. A mouse tray keeps the mouse next to the keyboard so you can easily use it. If you have to reach and stretch to get to your mouse, this puts strain on your muscles. Ask your advisor or the department for help in buying the trays. Also look at eBay. Keyboard/mouse trays are usually expensive ($200+) but can be found at eBay for as low as $30.
- Don't lean your elbows or palms on anything during typing.
- Lift computer monitor so you can look at it without bending your head. It should be at the eye level.
- Use large enough fonts so you don't have to stretch your neck in order to see.
- Reconsider computer games with lots of clicking.
- Make sure you have a good chair whose height can be adjusted. If not, ask for a new chair or buy one at shops like Staples. They cost only $50.
- Sit up straight, don't slouch.
Short point summary
- Make your working environment pleasant
- Pay very good attention to ergonomics