Physicists/Mathematicians: Night Owls or Morning Larks?

  • Thread starter Thread starter DrSuage
  • Start date Start date
AI Thread Summary
The discussion centers on personal productivity patterns, specifically comparing night owls and early risers in the context of physics and mathematics work. Participants share their experiences, noting that night owls often find their peak productivity in the late hours, while early risers accomplish their best work in the morning. Some individuals mention adapting their schedules based on life stages, such as graduate school or employment, with varying levels of productivity at different times of the day. A common theme is that many find they can concentrate better when distractions are minimized, regardless of whether they identify as a night owl or an early bird. The conversation highlights the importance of personal preference and lifestyle in determining optimal working hours for academic and professional success in fields like astronomy and physics.
DrSuage
Messages
46
Reaction score
10
Which are you? Which do you think is better suited to physics/maths?

Night owl and proud here. My best work is all done post 11pm...
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Not me. I'm best first thing in the morning ( I get up 5:30-6:00 AM) and I'm done doing useful work by 5:00 PM or so. I'm usually in bed by 9:30 PM.
 
I know professors who get to work at 7:00 am, and some who work until midnight. I like a normal schedule - get to work between 9:00-10:00, leave around 6:00.
 
If it weren't for school I'd probably have a pretty messed up schedule (wake up late, sleep late) with all my work being done at night.
Though, because I hope to be an astronomer some day, perhaps that isn't such a bad thing :DD
 
I find I struggle to focus and concentrate during the day, but come the night I can work solidly without losing concentration.
 
To tell you the truth I can be either. I generally feel most alert when I wake up at 9 am and go to bed at 11pm, but the times I have woken up around 5 I've been able to get things done too. I think the common denominator is that there is nobody around to distract me.
 
Graduate school (first stint): night owl, didn't start until 9 pm or so, finished up when my apartment mate was getting up for his 8 am med school classes. Second stint (PhD work, post marriage), 9-5, with the occasional get up at 2 am to work until ? (I'd really get a lot done during those early morning stints).
Real world (after graduate school): I'd get to work between 6:30 and 7 in the morning. Now that I am unemployed and looking for employment, my most productive time is still between 8 and 10 am.
 
Back
Top