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I would only recommend it if using it with a keyboard (logitec makes the best ones). It works for me because I have a desktop, so I'm not sure if I would recommend forking over the money if you already have a laptop and an iphone. If your current computer is perhaps too big and clunky to lug to class everyday, that might be a way to justify it.

I'm way too embarrassed to ask someone in my department this so I'm hoping you guys can help me out. Is it possible to do fieldwork in a foreign country if you don't speak the language fluently? Is that acceptable these days? I've only been learning the language of my world area for about a year, and my program requires some fieldwork. Getting around and holding light conversations isn't a problem, but I'm afraid that my perhaps intermediate (or less than) level is going to keep me from accomplishing anything. I'm completely new to this field, so any insight would be greatly appreciated!

Hi guys, I've finished up the first semester of my M.A. program and still have not met my advisor. She's on sabbatical until next year, which is when I'll actually be writing my thesis. I'm pretty lost as far as my topic and in the whole program in general. I feel as if I'm expected to be exchanging emails with her while she is away, but I don't know what questions to ask and I don't want to sound completely clueless (which at this point I pretty much feel that I am). Should I be trying harder to reach out to her via email, or should I wait until she comes back next Fall?

Hi guys, I'm starting my lit review for my thesis project for an Anthropology M.A. and I'm curious to know how you guys organize all of your articles. Is it better to have print copies of them, should I put them all on an iPad, or does keeping them all in a file on your desktop work best? Do you take notes as you go? I'd just like to get a better feel for what other people go through as they work on lit reviews and retaining/organizing all those ideas and information. Any insight would be greatly appreciated!

I tried to call his office but the number is disconnected. I tried to stalk him outside one of his undergrad class but its finals week so there was no regularly scheduled class. Is it bad form to keep emailing him? I've sent him like 4 emails already, but it's my grade on the line so I'm not sure what to do.

Everything in my department is so vague. When I asked another professor about the Incomplete process he said Incomplete don't work like they do in undergrad, but didn't explain what he meant by that. A counselor told me grad students can have Incomplete for up to a year. But I don't understand. You finish final project and then you get the grade? Does the Incomplete come off and get replaced with a letter grade?

What is a DGS? I've never even met my advisor because she's been on sabbatical so there aren't a lot of people who I can approach in my department. Thanks!

Hey Guys, So I'm in a bit of a situation. I had an emergency that caused me to be out for the last few weeks of school. I've sent my professor 4 emails to ask him about my final paper and to meet with him to explain my situation and possibly take a Incomplete, but he's completely ignoring me. I haven't been able to catch him at his office hours and I have no other contact info for him. What should I do? Is it normal for a professor to ignore emails (its been weeks since I sent my first one). Is he just busy? I'm so confused. It's my first semester and I'm a little lost when it comes to interactions with professors. Any advice would be appreciated!

I came into grad school know almost nothing about my program, my university, or my newly chosen field (came from English in undergrad to Anthropology). It's my understanding that at some point in the near future I'm expected to present at a conference or something, and I just don't understand how someone of my knowledge level is going to pull that off. Presenting a paper is something I never envisioned myself having to do here - I have crippling social anxiety and doubts about my own work. Can someone please explain what conferences they may have presented at, or tell me about their first time? I'm at the end of the first semester and there are so many things that I still need to be demystified!

It's like, super super lonely.

A friend told me that when she went to my university nearly everyone she knew was taking Adderall or some other kind of ADD medication. After reading a number of posts mentioning the insane amount of hours spent in lab etc, I'm wondering how many people here get through it with meds.

I'm considering doing the same exact thing. Anthro is not my passion, and I find myself thinking about the MFA I could be getting every day. Anyway, I spent my gap year between ungrad and grad school teaching English abroad. Try daveseslcafe.com (or something like that). There are plenty of jobs out there that provide housing and don't require any teaching experience, plus the experiences you'll gain traveling will make excellent writing material!

I've pretty much made up my mind that I don't want to continue with my program, but I'm wondering if withdrawing will affect future applications. I'm interested in applying for an MFA at some point, but can I just pretend this semester didn't happen? Should I even mention it in my proposal? Any thoughts/ past experiences with withdrawing would be greatly appreciated!

I'm in a top-tier Masters program coming from undergrad at a bottom-tier State school where I completed coursework in a different field. I've always had a hard time talking to my professors, and in undergrad I mostly avoided it or didn't need to. I honestly thought I'd find a way to get over my fear in grad school, but it's so much worse now. I'm completely intimidated by my professors and everyone else here, and when I ask questions I get tongue tied and say things that don't come out right. The other cohorts are always in professors' offices during their free time to ask questions or just socialize, while I avoid every interaction possible. Am I the only one out there who has this problem? I'm talking to a councilor about it but I'd like to get some other people's perspectives.

I have been going through the same thing right now (the crying, the apathy, etc.), except in one of those theory/ thesis-based programs. I realized there was no way I was going to get my papers in by the due date because all of these philosophical concepts and theories are really out of my reach. I finally talked to a councilor on campus and she explained that I can ask for an Incomplete and an extended date to turn in my papers. She said it's really common, and some grad students have incompletes hanging around their transcripts for years before they finish. Maybe the same thing will help you buy some more time to study and think it through? In any case, I highly recommend talking to a councilor If you're department is like mine, talking to professors can be really intimidating, and councilors can be helpful in kind of coaching you through it all. Good luck with everything!