Some useful hints about meetings

• I like to schedule weekly meetings with every student, and will try to stick to them unless there is a major reason to cancel the meeting (travel, sickness). Even when there is nothing to talk about, please come to the meeting, say hello and leave.


• To have an effective meeting, always have a list of items that you want to discuss (and goals you want to achieve from the meeting). If you expect the person you are meeting with to respond to any of the items, send a tentative agenda as much in advance as possible. When meeting with me, I would like you to email me:
  1. A list of things that you have accomplished since our last meeting,
  2. A list of things that you plan on working on until our following meeting, and
  3. A list of things that you would like to discuss with me during our meeting. That list includes, but is not limited to, questions and difficulties, in your research and studies in the past, present, and future.


• Try to be punctual or send an email if you are late (I am often late to early morning appointments).


• At the time of the meeting, make sure to knock at my door to tell me that you are there. Sometimes I may be finishing a meeting with another person, and the person stays beyond the meeting time. Other times, I may be simply chatting, while waiting for my next meeting. Do not wait outside my door, as I may be waiting for you and not realizing that you are there waiting for me. (I always tell the story how I missed my first project defense that way, and learned my lesson the hard way. Remind me to tell you that `painful' episode... if I haven't yet.)