Broken_Bottle

I suppose hcoach solved the problem by now but in case someone else comes across this thread: In psychology, it is also a question of who is paying for the publication. Publishing my undergrad thesis is going to cost me ~$400 - because it is usually the first author who pays the money (at least at the 2 unis I know). My supervisors had talked about it behind my back and decided that they would throw in the money if I couldn't afford it before we even talked about it (because they're awesome! - still gonna pay myself though). However, if your supervisor suggests being 1st author although you've contributed about as much to the project as he/she did, then money might be the reason. Especially because people don't talk much about this factor in publications and it could be uncomfortable to talk about it with a new grad student. Just my 2 ct.

I have not been told the exact class size yet but I can check how many people signed up for mandatory courses. We got access to the system more than a week ago and it is still only me. Last year had about 12 people, so in my case there is still hope. At least you know they will have time and be able to focus on you. One of my undergrad profs said that happened to her when she was a student, and she loved it because her lecturers could focus on her needs

I switch back and forth between the Dakine Frankie in a version similiar to the one linked here, and a feminine faux-leather bag that just fits my 13" labtop and my "usual stuff", depending on how much I have to carry on any given day. To be honest, I prefer handbags for the simple reason that I don't need to put them down every time I want to pay or check my phone. Sure, you can do that one-shoulder-hanging-backpack thing but mine is usually to full to get anything out in that position. On lab days, I usually have the Dakine and an all-in-one-wristlet that looks similiar to this or this. I "stole" the idea for the wristlet from a friend who also leaves her stuff in the lab on long days - it is awesome! If you do not want to carry your big bag around all day, that might be a good option.

Same here, I buy a pretty diary because, well, I love stationary - but then give up using it half-way through first term. I use google calendar, or at least I used to. The lab I worked in used it to book specific rooms, so moving my e-calendar to google made life a whole lot easier. I just have to accept that all those beautiful paper diaries are not for me. I do, however, use note pads when I meet supervisors, go to seminars etc. Amazon kindly informed me that there is something called conference organizer (e.g. http://www.amazon.co.uk/585101-Conference-Organiser-Elegance-Mechanism/dp/B001F5Q87I) and now I consider getting something like that as a compromise. Especially since my paper diaries were usually full with random stuff I collected over time and the organizers seem as if they could hold quite a bit. Anyone used one before?

...when your POI leaves you 2 hours to prepare for a Skype interview, you realise that you'll have to do it in your dorm room, and spend this time removing the pink glitter cowboy hat and the left over halloween decoration from the walls, instead of preparing for the interview. I noticed the full drying rack with my underwear was in the picture 5 minutes before the interview was scheduled and shoved it into the bathroom.