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You are going to feel like crap for a while until you get your levels right. First you'll have to get blood drawn, then maybe see an endocrinologist. They'll put you on meds, but it's a constant battle to fine-tune them. Don't be afraid to let them know if your symptoms come back (or if you have symptoms that swing the other way - e.g. hyper when you're hypo). Good luck! It's a sucky thing to be balancing while starting grad school.

Don't stress too much - last year I didn't even decide I was going to apply to grad school until September 1! It was October before I'd chosen schools to apply to and written my SoP. Now I'm not advocating procrastinating, just saying you still have plenty of time!

Thanks guys! I put in headphones today (I actually had them on when she came in) and she worked quietly the whole time! Hooray!

No, they are just ackowledging that they have your scores and that shows intent for you to apply. I think the "Congratulations!" is just for completing your test. They most likely will not look at your application until all parts are complete (i.e. they get your final transcript).

Well what does the rest of your application look like? Also, there's plenty of time for you to take the test over if you want!

Are you sure you're the only one? Has someone told you that or are you just going off of class sizes? In my program everyone signs up right away, but in my SO's they only sign up the day before, or sometimes even after the class has started! It could just be that no one has signed up yet.

I was placed in my own office(!) last week with an officemate who is really nice. We like a lot of the same things, get along, etc. Only thing is that she does. not. shut. up. At first it was fine, we were just getting to know each other, it seemed normal. But I actually have a lot more work to do than she does - we have different assistantships - and I really really need to get work done! I can't do it anywhere else because of access to materials, etc. But being in the office with her she interrupts my concentration and then tells 20 minute long stories that all I do is say, "yeah" and "sure" to. I want to be nice, but also realize that I need to be firm about this being a space where I can get things done. I also don't know if it's because it's the beginning of the year and her assistantship hasn't given her much work to do yet. Maybe she'll be less chatty when she gets to be more busy? If not what can I do without being rude? She's from the midwest so naturally more.... forthcoming and nice than I am used to, coming from a city. My roommate suggested going the passive-aggressive route and putting in headphones, but I'm not sure if that would be rude (or if it would even stop her talking to me)!

Yes, the school will keep them on file even without your submitted application. So it's best to request early, not wait until after you have completed the application.

Honestly I've tried so many planners and my favorite is only $5!

Can the professor hear it? If so your best be may be getting the professor to tell him to cut it out. Otherwise... sit as far away as possible?

Totally depends, but I would look at your office first. Plenty of grad student offices either have a filing cabinet in them or the students will have access to a communal one (with individual drawers).

I just would hesitate to recommend USC MSW because of their insanely high cost of tuition! That coupled with what sounds like your desire to be a school counselor... yes, I would advise you to decline.

I'm ok with starting the program, but moving is daunting to me. I've moved a lot in my life, but either with my parents or with an SO (or I guess to undergrad). Now, despite the fact that my SO and I built a perfect little apartment together a few years back, I have to start from scratch (I'm moving across the country and he can't follow til he's done with his PhD). He has work obligations so can't come help me, and none of my family lives in the U.S. so I'll basically be on my own in apartment with not even a bed in it! So the thought of moving and doing all the work by myself while not knowing a soul in a new city seems pretty scary.

How did it go, OP?

It's not going to hurt you, and as long as you can afford it financially I think it sounds like a good plan.

I have a very similar story! I applied to 4 grad schools my first cycle, got into only one, and that was without fundning. I got a research job in the meantime and I actually did change my focus (I applied to Education PhDs the first time, and School Psychology the second). The second time I applied to 10 universities and was accepted to 7! I really think that the better research fit and upping the number of universities I applied to really helped. The first time I also only applied to schools within my area ~2 hours away and they were all UCs... I feel like expanding my search really helped once I realized that I wanted to go to grad school more than I wanted to stay local. Were you planning to re-apply to the schools from which you were previously rejected? I'm not sure how wise that would be, but make sure you add some other places regardless! edit: I would also re-take the GREs if you can. You already took them once so you don't have to feel very pressured, but if you do better it may help, especially since your GPA is on the low end.

I was thinking about getting one of these, but I guess cleaning could be an issue. I think it depends on if your department has a kitchen/sink available!

There is a lot of good advice on this thread and I really can not add much to it. What I do want to say may be a little alarmist, so I apologize for that. I swear I am not trying to freak you out, but I do want to stress the urgency of you telling someone RIGHT NOW. I don't know if you remember the story of Annie Le. This was about 5 years ago, and she was a grad student at Yale who was murdered by a lab tech (don't know her back story with him, but she was also engaged to someone else). If this guy is waiting outside the lab for you, and is sending you extremely volatile emails especially with different shifts in mood, I say it's time to get help. You don't have to go to your advisor, but HR (or whatever it is at your school/department) or the cops or someone needs to be notified soon. eta: also if this guy is 20 years older than you I think that's a warning sign. He should be mature enough to handle things by the age of (I'm assuming) 40+.

I have to take four classes and I'm a bit worried about it! Supposed to teach two courses as well that I have never taught before! Talk to your advisors and other grad students in the department because only they really know what is manageable for your program. If you feel like you can do it, then go for it! If you feel it will be overwhelming, then don't. You could also audit Latin if it's just review. That way there's no pressure grade/assignment-wise.