fluttering

On the off chance that the above two posts aren't spam: try RMIT instead, from what little I know about computing and IT I do believe theirs is (one of?) the best regarded dept in Australia for such things.

Yes, Melbourne is similar to Vancouver - but nicer and the weather isn't quite as bad. Last time I went to Vancouver I had to trudge through snow-slush, ugh. On the other hand, last time I was in Melbourne our car's thermometer recorded the temperature at 48C (approx 118F).

You'll have fun in Melbourne - the uni is a quite nice place to just hang out, and as a bonus you can just wander off-campus for lunch to the most fantastic places... go for off-campus housing either near the uni, a reasonable tram ride away, or near a train station - you can catch the train to Melbourne Central station and then take a tram up. Get a CAVAL card (special library card that lets you borrow from any uni library in the state). Learn all about AFL (Aussie Rules football) because people will expect you to know and care all about it, including who the teams are, their mascots, club songs, current standing, and star players. (If you don't know, they will still expect you to care and will tell you all about it )

Also, two catchphrases that will come in handy:

"I think Melbourne is much better than Sydney." (Will win you lots of Melburnian friends.)

"Of course Melbourne Uni is way better than Monash." (Although be careful saying that to Monash students, they can be militant!)

You'll be all set! Good luck.

Your feelings are only human, and it's good that you're attempting to deal with them. Understand that your professor is not reflecting on YOUR abilities or place in the lab. The professor wants to build the lab up, and is excited that (YET ANOTHER, AFTER YOU) awesome student is joining! I would make sure to befriend this student and learn from them. View it as positive--this new hotshot student might be joining YOUR lab. It is so much better than having a terrible student, right?

Let them know ASAP, your project may need to be modified. Some PhD projects do not make for good MS projects, for example you need a project that is going to generate data in a shorter amount of time. If you don't want to be there long term you don't have time to craft a really intricate story. You just want to learn and do enough to bang out a publication or two to get a reputation for yourself. Plus you don't want to look like it took you 3.5 years to get an MS in biomedical sciences.

I don't understand what students mean when they say they want to work in "industry" after they get out when they're asked "so what are your future goals and career aspirations?"


Basically it means they have no idea what the hell they're doing and they're just hoping, maybe even expecting, that there will be a job there for them waiting when they get out. Sorry, a PhD after your name doesn't mean there will be anything there after you graduate. Being honest with yourselves, how many of you are hiding out there in grad school really only because you have no idea what you want to do with the rest of your life, or because you didn't want to get a job, or because you couldn't find a job? I laugh every time I hear someone say they want to work in "industry" when they get out, that's like saying "i like food".

Why? Are you suggesting that people should change the way they do their work for their peace of mind--or for yours?

Wow, you are an elitist.

Keep in mind that a British Ph.D. and an American Ph.D. are not equivalent - with a British degree, you don't exactly come out as an expert in your field as you do in the States. If you want to go on the job market in the States after you finish, this might pose a problem, and it will be much harder to network from overseas to prepare you for the job market. Not to scare you, just something to think about.

Drop out. You obviously can't handle it.

Several of my friends have been in situations where their supervisor was dating a current/former student. All of them resented it. People will perceive you as having an unfair advantage due to the relationship, regardless of whether it is true.

Several of my friends have been in situations where their supervisor was dating a current/former student. All of them resented it. People will perceive you as having an unfair advantage due to the relationship, regardless of whether it is true.

Would it help if I transferred to a easier school? I feel like I could easily get a 4.0 at my state school, and have a lot of time left over compared to here.

One of my favorite english profs told me once that all of her 50+ years of living had taught her one piece of invaluable advice that she felt obligated to pass along to me: marry a plumber who loves poetry.