On the first Monday in February, the MAESTRO Lab started a new tradition. For the first Monday of each month, graduate students, undergraduate research assistants, and other invited scholars will be encouraged to gather offsite for a day of distraction-free creativity and concentration.
Scholars remaining at the end of the retreat, celebrating a successful and productive day surrounded by the beauty of nature.
The get-away was held at a retreat center 15 minutes from campus, and students were expected to give up their phones and “unplug” to the extent possible. Some students chose to work in an indoor space with large windows with views of trees and water, while others sat nearer the large pond (or even chose to work from within a canoe). At the end, all agreed that it was a valuable time and hope it is a tradition that can be maintained.
Students were expected to commit to a day free from distractions. Phones were left in a common space where they could be accessed any time if needed.