Over the years I have developed some habits as I work that help to make me more efficient as a researcher. Of students that I’ve seen struggle in their doctoral studies, they are always lacking several of the habits in this list. Of students who excel, they have all (or nearly all of these habits) either because they were mentored in them, or somehow figured it out themselves.
In assigned homework, students will be expected to conform to good coding and plotting practices, and to submit an annotated bibliography in bibtex format if literature searches are required.
Many of these habits overlap with the list of good work habits in jobs in the private sector. Start using these practices now, and reap many benefits as you go along 🙂