woosah

2 weeks in...
the imposter syndrome is real :-/ 

2 weeks in...
the imposter syndrome is real :-/ 

This might depend on your program but I personally do not find much use for a physical planner. I used these a ton in high school and university because I just had it in my backpack, which is always with me. But at grad school, I have a desk now, and whenever I leave my desk (to go to a seminar, class, whatever), I just want to grab the minimal things (notebook, pen, coffee/tea).
 
Like fuzzy, I use Google Calendar for everything! I am at my computer most of the time, so whenever I do have to schedule something, I'm probably already at the computer so Google Calendar is easy to pull up and add an entry or find an opening. If I'm away from my desk (e.g. in class, seminar, at lunch), I can access my calendar on my phone.
 
I don't like physical planners because then the info only exists in one place so if I forget it, then I can't see what's inside! My phone is always attached to me though. I also like Google Calendar because it's easy to set up a variety of different calendars in different colours that you can click on/off. For me, I have a different calendar for classes, for departmental events (e.g. seminars, meetings), for travel, for doctor/dentist appointments, and for meeting with supervisors etc. Having everything appear at the same time can be overwhelming, especially during the year where there are tons of classes going on. So, in the same idea of "big rocks"/"little rocks", I use the separate calendars to separate different priorities and when I need to focus on the big picture, I can turn off the little stuff or vice versa.
 
I also really like electronic calendars because I can share them with my wife very easily. If I used a planner, we would also need some other bigger calendar at home where I'd write in dates I'm travelling or evenings where I have late classes/meetings, or nights where I have to be running a telescope. With Google Calendar, sharing these events with her means she can easily find out my schedule at her convenience! 
 
I think Google Calendar really does organize most of my life! For physical stuff, I keep a separate "lab notebook" for every project I work on and date every page/entry. For coursework, I have a filing cabinet next to my desk with hanging folders and a file folder for each course. As I get materials handed back, I file them away for each course and at the end of the term, I organize the folder so that all of the handouts, homework, notes, etc. are in some logical order in case I need to refer back to the material. I print a copy of the syllabus and keep it at the front of the folder for easy reference. I also print out extra copies of the problem sets, final exams (if it's allowed to do so) etc. to replace any copies I might have lost or thrown away in frustration.
 
I used to keep my desk in messy piles (e.g. a pile for project 1, a pile for project 2, a pile for coursework) but I recently got one of those document trays from IKEA to make things a bit neater. I also have a drawer that I reserve for travel related documents. Whenever I book a flight, hotel, car, or pay for registration, I print out a confirmation and immediately put it in the drawer. I also use Gmail's "label" feature to store the email confirmation in an easily findable location. This is because you often make these reservations weeks or months ahead of the trip and sometimes the last day before a trip is hectic because of last minute stuff. So, this prevents me from having to dig through all my piles of papers to find that confirmation # etc. and this makes sure everything I need for both travel and reimbursement is in one place. 
 
For data on computer, I use Dropbox and Mendeley to keep everything synchronized across my work computer,  home computer, and other work computers. All homework materials and things I write are in Dropbox so I can work on my problem sets etc. at home if I want. I usually only keep research data on my work computer. This is because the files are often huge but also because I don't want to be doing too much research work at home. My Macbook can connect to my work computer remotely to run things on the work computer if necessary though. I use Mendeley to keep a common repository of all papers as well as an easy bibliographic tool. Finally, I also keep all my travel documents (boarding passes etc.) on Dropbox so that I can access all of this information from the Dropbox app on my phone. 
 
With these two pieces of software, I never have to worry about manually (i.e. with a USB stick) synchronizing files between my computers and trying to figure out which version is the newest one! 

I think they were probably just trying to "get at" your goals for your education, make sure you have a clear plan for where you are going next. I agree that the question is a little off-putting, but that was probably part of the point as well: can you respond to unexpected questions in a professional manner, without getting flustered or defensive? Sounds like you gave them what they were looking for. I don't think it would ruin an otherwise appealing program for me

(the following is in no way meant to disparage any previous posters)
 
While I'm sure that on occasion reverse academic snobbery exists, I think more often than not it's a phenomenon much like "reverse racism" - in that the very people who feel they are being wronged are in fact simply worried they will not get the advantage they feel they are owed.  I'm not an anti-intellectual, and there is certainly a strange cultural undertow which sometimes makes me feel as if I'm swimming upstream when I strive to be well informed, articulate, and logical.  For example, the constant need for politicians in America to make a big show of being "plain spoken" and folksy.  So in a broad sense, yes, I think culturally there is an annoying smart vs. "real" perception problem. 
 
But, on an individual basis, I have to assume everyone is trying their best.  I just assume an intentional posture of niavete in order to not become an ass-hat myself.  Because for me it is better to assume if someone boasts to me that they would never be bothered to read a book that perhaps they have an undiagnosed learning disability, or an incredible strength in art, or simply a strong preference for auditory learning but they listen to pod casts religiously - whatever, than to assume they are just a big stupid idiot who hates smart people.
 
I barely graduated high school, I'm the only one of my friends from that period of my life who did finish high school, I married a high school drop out, and I spent much of a decade working in a hair salon.  Many of my clients were college students, graduate students, law students, or scientists from the nearby national lab.  The most articulate, interesting, and accomplished people also tended to be the people who just spoke to me like I was a person and were completely unconcerned with impressing me or impressing upon me the importance of education.  Occasionally I had a jackass in my chair, and it's 50/50 that person thought I was an elitist high brow snob or an uneducated idiot rube.  
 
I have strong feelings about this, because I've been on both sides, and have been perceived as being on both sides the entire time depending on who I was with and what I was doing.  In the end I found that as with anything, you won't change anyone who isn't interested, who has their guard up, and the more you push the more they will build up a defense against you and what you represent.  If you have a jackass in your salon chair, or in your life, treat them well until you get get them out the door and don't let them back.  And if you're dealing with a non-jackass, don't push an agenda or a belief system, and if someone is interested in your views, your beliefs, or your value system (including placing a high value on education) they will see that in your actions and ask you directly if they want to know more.  (All this is, of course, just one blue collar lady's opinion)

OP, I once heard that 80% of questions are really statements in disguise. With that said, I can't help but wonder if what you term as "reverse academic snobbery" is in fact your reaction of those people not oohing and aahing over your prestigious affiliations and accolades as you feel they should be. It's almost as if how dare those with 'less formal education' (which is quite the coded language btw) not find value and subtle enviousness of my achievements, smarts and knowledge --- how are you assuming they don't have any of that themselves? I also have a very hard time believing that the main source of your interactions and conversations with these people surround them bashing your education, and if so, perhaps it is time to forcibly remove yourself from interactions with those people at all costs. I think you downplay your attributes, not as a consequence of their 'reverse academic snobbery', but it is because you realize that you cannot use that arsenal in order to make yourself level, or in most ways, feel superior to them as you internally believe you are. 

Everyone feels that way at some point during their program.  I am a 5th year and I still grapple with trying to understand why my advisor thinks I'm a great student.  I feel lazy and not as productive as the scholar down the street (the theoretical one) who publishes 3 papers a year and dreams about data analysis.
 
And yes, I've definitely dealt with feeling like I was drowning in work.  It gets better over time - you learn to manage your time better, including learning to write in some relaxation time.  And you won't have courses.  Now, as a dissertator, I read for pleasure and go out with my friends and cook dinner most nights.  When I was in coursework - especially my first year - I felt like I was barely keeping my head above water.  Stay the course, and try your hand at scheduling your time and sticking to a (realistic) schedule.  Take note of how long it takes you to do things.
 
You are smart enough, but more importantly, success in your grad program has nothing to do with intelligence.  Everyone who was admitted is intelligent.  It has to do with desire, hard work, and perseverance.  Most people who drop out don't do so because they aren't smart (many of them are brilliant) but because they realize that the PhD is not what they want anymore, for whatever reason.  I don't think I'm that smart, but I'm a hustler.  You just have to put your nose to the grindstone and work work work (within reason, of course - make sure you sleep, eat healthily, and get some exercise, and have some fun.  I make it a point to sleep 6-8 hours every night, regardless of how close a deadline is).

You know what's more irritating to a potential contact than the alleged pretentiousness of your business card? Waiting for you to scrabble about in your bag for a pen and paper, and then having to remember to keep the bizarre scrap (which may be mistaken for trash).  
 
I wouldn't hand out the cards like candy, but if someone asks you for a card, it's really best for everyone if you have one available. They're not setting up a sneaky judgment trap; they really just want your contact information in a compact, easily legible form.

@Selectext: Your reply is not very polite or helpful at all. It took me a long time to write this and I would appreciate it if someone would be a little less rude .
I stated that I have multiple career goals within this industry. There are only 5 or 6 programs for this field in the entire country. I don't have many options as far as where to attend school. Also, I wasn't expecting each program to be so drastically different. Just don't even reply at all if you are going to be so curt!

Dear AdCom Gods and Goddesses,
Its me, the student who got in all of her apps and paperwork weeks before the deadline. You know the one who normally gets everything in late but thought that applying to grad school was too important to engage in the same old behavior. Well, its been a few months now and I just thought since you've had my apps, recommendations, scores and transcripts for so long that you might not only know whether or not I'm accepted to your university but inclined to tell me, too.
 
Sorry to interrupt your work flow and all. I'm trying to grade a mountain of papers myself here in Never Never Land. I just wanted you to know that I'm really, really, really, really, really ready to know.......now.
Yours truly.

Gone into finance and made a trillion dollars by age 30.

This is going to sound like totally lame advice, I'm afraid, but: try to have fun with it!  If I were scheduled for that many faculty meetings, I'd do as heartshapedcookie suggests and just look over the work of those that are close matches for you (you probably already know who those people are).  For the rest, think of it like a conference instead of an interview.  You're meeting people in your field (roughly), and you're being given the chance to ask them what they're working on, and tell them what your interests are.  Any halfway-realistic professor is going to realize that you are meeting a ton of people, and if they aren't close research matches with you, they shouldn't expect you to be well-versed in their research or their interests.  What they're (probably) going to be looking for is whether you seem like a smart person that is able to discuss your own work and work in the department coherently and pleasantly.  In other words: are you someone they want to be a part of the department, even if they aren't going to be doing much work directly with you?  You, conversely, are looking to seek if you want these people to be your colleagues for the next 5-6 years.  So try to have fun! Good luck & congrats!
 
Edited to add: Don't forget that the students you meet have been through this process or a similar one, so they can also tell you what to expect!  I've chatted with a few current students who've said things like "Professor X will ask you about your research, and probably offer you candy" or "Professor Y will probably talk sports and anything but research."

-Girl scout cookies. I keep telling myself it's for a good cause...supporting their development and whatnot...
-M&M's and candy bars. I won't buy them at the grocery store, that's evidence of intent. But if I happen to pass by the vending machine in my building--by "pass by" I mean ride the elevator to a floor that's NOT MINE--I see no reason why I shouldn't treat myself
-Frozen berries. For "healthy" nights.

Hey guys. I'm almost out of smoked cheddar popcorn and I've made two kinds of cookies from scratch and I haven't heard anything from anyone except the waitlist, which is essentially
 
Princeton: Hey, wanna go to the movies this weekend?
Me: Yes! Totally! I was so hoping you'd ask me, becau---
Princeton: Great. If someone prettier than you can't make it, you can come.
Me: ...thanks?
Princeton:  I'll call you to let you know. Sometime in March.  Probably.
 
I'm making shrimp scampi for dinner and boiling this for lunch tomorrow, because if I cook enough things then I'm not compulsively refreshing my email.  When I applied for my MA I ended up with enough biscotti to choke a horse. But I didn't have a horse, all I had were bewildered (but soon satiated) houseguests.
 
Does anyone else share this coping strategy? What are you stuffing in your face?

Dear POI [or whoever extended the invitation],
 
I am pleased to accept your invitation to [recruitment day/interview weekend]. I look forward to meeting you and learning more about the program!
 
Sincerely,
me.

I had these same questions, and asked one of the programs I'm applying to. This is the information they provide to their fellowship recipients:
 
     
http://www.irs.gov/taxtopics/tc421.html
http://www.irs.gov/publications/p970/ch01.html

Here is a few replies I came up with from other topics in the Interviews forum:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

cure for the valentine's day rejection letter: an entire sleeve of thin mints girl scout cookies.

cure for the valentine's day rejection letter: an entire sleeve of thin mints girl scout cookies.

cure for the valentine's day rejection letter: an entire sleeve of thin mints girl scout cookies.

cure for the valentine's day rejection letter: an entire sleeve of thin mints girl scout cookies.

cure for the valentine's day rejection letter: an entire sleeve of thin mints girl scout cookies.

immensely. so glad i'm not the only one who's weirded out by those kinds of results postings..
 
it also really ticks me off when people flaunt their "accomplishments" in the details section, despite getting waitlisted or rejected, then make some sideways comment that implies the program made the wrong choice, or they (the applicant) are incapable of being a less-than-perfect fit. not to sound like a jerk.. but what's the point of bragging about your gpa, number of pubs, etc. when it has little to do with the fact that you weren't accepted? to stroke your own ego? to downplay the school's decision? talk about intense entitlement. woof.

thesis avoiders unite!!

I am planning to give a gift of a mug from the school I get accepted to with maybe some coffee or chocolates inside.  I found this idea on the internet when looking for good gifts ideas.