[What is your best Stay Healthy/ Young/ Don't get Fat Grad/Student tip?]

unless you have Celiac disease, there is no reason to eliminate gluten. Most people do better on a "gluten free" diet because they are no longer consuming processed foods and lots of sugar. Whole grains (that naturally contain gluten) are healthy, and important sources of vitamins and minerals, as well as fibre. Most people who get rid of gluten would do better to eliminate sugar and processed foods, while keeping healthy whole grains (steel cut oats, quinoa, stone ground whole wheat bread, etc.) as part of their diet. We actually see a scary number of deficiencies among those who have gone gluten free without having a Celiac diagnosis. Also, most of those those who claim to be "sensitive" to gluten are actually sensitive to FODMAPs, not gluten.

My tips: eat healthy, which means local, unprocessed foods, as much as possible. Minimize sugar and caffeine. Exercise 5 days/week, at least 30 min each time, for a cumulative 150 min, or more, each week. Get plenty of sleep. Don't pull all nighters. Stay hydrated. If in Northern areas, or if you always wear sunscreen, or cover up when outdoors, take vitamin D.

[MPH CANADA FALL 2015 APPLICANTS]

I applied to U of T MPH. Do you know when the acceptances, rejections begin? I know it may start in March, but I am going crazy!

 

They start in March (Nutrition and Dietetics is usually first, as they want to get their offers out before the Dietetic internship programs release their offers in early March) and continue into April. I heard back on March 6th last year. The website states mid-April to June, but most of the people I've spoken with had heard back by the end of April, at least for the MPH programs.  Of course, that may have changed this year - I'm not involved in admissions, so don't have any inside scoop!

 

Sorry I don't have any better timeline for you.  I know the Graduate Director was working on admissions stuff this week!  Good luck.

[MPH CANADA FALL 2015 APPLICANTS]

Congrats on the acceptance! Anyone apply to U of T MPH programs this year? Based on last year's thread, it seems like the applicants heard back around early April. I'm not sure how the interview process works as the website says "if applicable". Do they interview every applicant, strong candidates, or what?

Only some of the MPH streams at UofT do interviews. Nutrition and Dietetics and OEH have interviews, Health Promotion does not, and I'm not sure about the other streams. I'm in Nutrition and Dietetics, if you have questions about UofT.

[Low GPA: Should I apply for MS in Food Science/Nutrition?]

Food science tends be slightly less competitive than nutrition. Why? Many students who want a dietetic internship, but who don't manage to secure one, will do a master's in nutrition to improve their chances. These students often have fairly high GPAs and angood deal of nutrition-related experience.

[Brain Food -- vitamins, supplements -- what works for you?]

You can, and should, get most of your vitamins and minerals from real food. There are so many photochemical so and interactions in real food that it is really the best way to meet your nutrient needs.

The only exception is vitamin D. If you live in more northern areas, or always wear sunscreen or long sleeves/pants when out in the sun, you likely won't get enough vitamin D, and should take a supplement.

Otherwise, get your nutrients from food, unless a doctor or dietitian advises differently.

[Older students?]

Wow, some of you have very late starts to the semester. We started back on January 5th.

Our first practicum starts in late April, however. I'm not sure how late the semesters run for those of you who just started back.

[Out of curiosity, how old is everyone who plans to pursue a Masters?]

42 when I started my MPH.

[Older students?]

Yeah, people who just don't like assignments. or working.

Because of my exacting nature, group projects generally don't work out well for me.

 I have to say that one of the great things about grad school is that everyone pulls their weight in group projects!  It's SO nice not to be the one carrying the group anymore.  It's a joy to work with a group of students who are all smart, dedicated and who work hard.  At least that's been my experience so far after one semester of grad school, and two weeks into the second semester. 

[Your #1 tip for an older student?]

#1 Tip: Stop thinking about age.  No one is going to look at you and think "Look at this old f***. . ."  You got in, same as them.  If you don't make age an issue, they (the proverbial they) aren't likely to either.

Not necessarily true. Even if you don't make age an issue, it's quite obvious there is an age difference when you have a husband and family, and they just have boyfriends or casual partners. Or when they talk about how old a foundational study in your field is, that it was published before they were born, but you were in high school at the time. Or when they don't invite you out to drinks and dancing, because they don't want to socialize with someone old enough to be their mother. Or when a prof mentions something that you were alive for, but your classmates weren't, and clearly addresses you as the exception. Or when you are asked to interview your grandparents, but all yours are long dead. Age comes up, even if you don't explicitly mention it or make it an issue.

[popular things you hate]

I don't mind the taste of coffee, but I'm just incapable of handling caffeinated beverages. I stopped drinking cola when I was 7 because it kept me up all night (and I've tried it a handful of times since then, with pretty bad results), and the one time I had coffee I had a panic attack. Grad school's going to kill me, isn't

I made it through an engineering degree, a nutrition degree, and the first semester of a grad degree where I had to be up at 5 am three days a week. I still don't drink coffee. I'm a super taster, so coffee tastes incredibly bitter to me, just far, far too bitter to ever consume (lots of other things taste bitter to me too, so my husband actually eats more vegetables than his dietitian wife). If I've made it without drinking coffee, you'll make it too!

I do like non-bitter herbal teas, however. That's my caffeine in the mornings.

[Your #1 tip for an older student?]

Make use of all the resources available to you - your tuition helps to pay for them! Whether it's the writing centre, student health services, the gym/athletic centre, make use of whatever you can. And don't be afraid to ask for help.

Also, don't be afraid to make use of your additional life experiences in your classes. Mention things your younger classmates might not be aware of, make connections based on your life experiences. Your profs and TAs will appreciate your contributions, and your younger classmates may learn something from you!

This does not apply to popular culture references, however. At Halloween, when I mentioned "don't cross the streams" (it was applicable, but in a very different context), my classmates looked at me with puzzlement. I guess a lot of early 20-somethings haven't seen Ghostbusters.

[Should I Get a 2nd B.S.? Biology vs. Marine Biology]

I have two bachelor's degrees, but many people in my field do. Why? Because in Canada, in order to practice as a registered dietitian, you need to graduate from a Dietitians of Canada accredited program. So people who already have a bachelors degree in a different subject need to complete an accredited degree if they want to become registered dietitians. In my master's program we have people with a variety of first bachelors degrees before their dietetics accredited one, including engineering, kinesiology, chemistry, arts and science, and biology.

So I don't think a second bachelors degree is necessarily a waste, if it's needed to get what you want in the end.

[First Year Students Fall 2014 How's It Going]

I had a nasty concussion in undergrad, so I feel for you. I think you definitely made a good decision- brain injury is a tricky thing. Best of luck on recovery and school!

 

Thanks!  It's definitely challenging pacing myself - I want to get all my readings and all my work done.  But I know I need to take breaks, and that I'm not being lazy by doing so - I'm being smart!

[Older students?]

Most of the students in my program went straight through from undergrad, so I am definitely old enough to be their mother.  Fortunately, there are some individuals who are already dietitians in our program (so they are naturally a little older) and there are some students who did two undergraduate degrees (as to be a dietitian in Canada you need a Dietitians of Canada accredited degree, and some people decided after a degree in some other subject to pursue nutrition/dietetics).  So that's just in my program.

 

In all of the MPH programs, however, there are a wide variety of students and professions represented, and two of the courses I'm taking have students from a variety of programs.  So in one class we have a couple of health care professionals in my small seminar group, and one is close to my age.  In another class, we have several mid-career health care professionals (MDs, nurses, etc.) and a couple of them are close to my age, and one is definitely older. 

 

Fortunately, age hasn't been an issue in any of my classes or seminars.  We all work together collaboratively, and we each bring something different to the table.  We are supposed to cooperate with each other, and not compete, and so far that hasn't been an issue.  Everyone pulls their own weight (unlike in undergrad) and everyone wants to succeed.  I do feel like a dinosaur sometimes (ie. I take notes by hand, I prefer email over texting) but fortunately age hasn't been an issue at all.

[First Year Students Fall 2014 How's It Going]

So, I haven't been on these forums since grad school started due to some health issues (concussion - brain injury). I was getting headaches every day that I had class, feeling dizzy, having problems with balance, and with memory and concentration.  Even on the days I didn't have class I was getting headaches due to all the reading I had to do (boy, is there ever a LOT of reading in grad school). So, after going to the concussion clinic at my university, I was advised that it would be best to drop down to part-time status.  We are hoping that a reduced course load, coupled with physiotherapy, will allow my symptoms to subside, and healing to continue.

 

The good news is that I'll save some money on tuition.  The bad news is that I'll likely lose my scholarships and it will take me 8 months or so longer to finish my program.  As I'm an older student already, that means hitting the workforce at an even older age, but my long term health (especially as we are dealing with the brain) is far more important than finishing "on time" and getting out there and working.  Fortunately my husband is incredibly supportive, as is my program, the program director, and my class mates.

[Lunch Recipes/Ideas]

For those who want a recipe for their own energy/protein bars, here's a great "formula" to use, with examples: http://www.nomeatathlete.com/homemade-energy-bar-recipe/

 

Here are some ideas for smoothies too: http://www.nomeatathlete.com/the-perfect-smoothie-formula/ (I leave out the oil and the sweetener - the fruit is plenty sweet for me)

[Lunch Recipes/Ideas]

Food - one of my favourite topics!  I am in nutrition/dietetics after all!

 

One thing I would recommend for everyone:  make sure you combine a protein source with a carbohydrate source at each meal and snack.  That will help to prevent blood sugar highs and lows, and provide you with longer-lasting energy.

 

For snacks I like to combine yogourt with fruit (unsweetened yogourt to avoid excess sugar), apples with natural peanut butter (again, with no added sugar), vegetables with hummus, homemade protein/energy balls or bars (that way I can control what's in them and can limit the amount of sugar and processed ingredients), homemade protein smoothies that I put in an insulated thermos (frozen berries, whey protein, skim milk blended together).

 

For lunches I do bring some leftovers (I basically cook a bunch of freezer-friendly meals once a month, since my husband and I commute to work/university an hour each way, so when we get home the last thing we want to do is cook).  I also like salads with local, organic cheese in them, or chunks of chicken breast.  Sandwiches made from 100% whole grain bread baked at a local bakery that uses all local and organic ingredients (I avoid grocery store bread at all costs) with either natural peanut butter or grilled meats (processed sandwich meats I avoid.  Homemade chili is great to warm up in a microwave, as are bean burritos made with whole wheat tortillas.

 

I have an insulated lunch bag that I use (again, I commute, so I need something to keep my food cold).  This one: http://www.fenigo.com/GoodbynRolltop.htm (in dark blue).

 

I also use quality containers that don't leak for my items: http://www.fenigo.com/SistemaKlipIt.htm

[First Year Students Fall 2014 How's It Going]

So I technically don't start until tomorrow, but we were sent an email about an online module we would complete ahead of time if we chose to do so - basically just an introduction to public health in Canada put out by the Public Health Agency of Canada.  I just completed it - figured I might as well get it done before I have other work to do (it's actually due in two or three weeks).

 

At least this little online module was easy - although I did work for PHAC at one point, so a lot of the information was common knowledge from having worked there.  I don't anticipate the rest of my grad work being this easy!

[eBooks or Good Ol' Physical Textbooks?]

I definitely prefer physical textbooks.  For casual reading (i.e. novels) and journal articles, I use electronic copies, and read on my iPad.

 

Fortunately for my first semester, I only have one required textbook.  It is definitely needed, as the information isn't readily available in other formats (there are no good internet resources that closely match the content of the book - at least none that I've been able to find).  A second course has a recommended textbook, so it's not absolutely required, and fortunately I have a previous edition of the text from my undergraduate studies.

 

I definitely find that hard copy textbooks are easier to manipulate.  Easier to flip pages, to find what I'm looking for, etc. 

[Wanting to apply to PhD programs close to home?]

I only applied to two graduate schools (I'm limited geographically because of my husband's job - he's an officer in the Canadian Armed Forces) and I was accepted to both.  Both had programs that matched my interests.

 

I don't necessarily plan on having a career in academia, however.  Actually, my ideal job would be to work as a registered dietitian in community nutrition or public health nutrition, and teach one course per semester as a sessional.  If I wanted a career in academia, I'd have to be prepared to move.

[First Year Students Fall 2014 How's It Going]

I am prepping myself.  Today I reorganized my desk so that I have better access to all of my books, and easy maneuverability when it comes to plugging and unplugging my laptop.  I received my first set of power points today, and I am working on reading some other material to get myself prepared for my first night.

 

My classes don't start until Tuesday night.  It begins with a pizza picnic, then off to class afterwards to jump in.    Excited / nervous...

 

On another note, my boss (program director) told me that she's supporting me 100% in what I am doing, and if I need help or references or anything like that to let her know.  It turns out that she was in the very first cohort of the same program I am about to embark on.    So excited.

 

I've spent this week tidying up my study and organizing my desk as well.  Also made a trip into the city where my university is located (I'll be commuting about an hour each way) to get my student transit pass ID, my student transit pass for September, my student train ID and my "Presto" card that is used in conjunction with my student train ID.  I also booked an appointment with the sports medicine clinic on campus so I can hopefully continue with physiotherapy I've been receiving for a couple of injuries.

 

Class starts Tuesday morning at 9am for our special introductory class that runs the first week, then regular classes start the following week.

 

 

We haven't started yet. We have a meet and greet on Monday evening, orientation all day Tuesday, and class starts on Wednesday. I'm looking forward to it. I'm going to get my notebooks and everything situated tonight.

 

On a different note, I spent the night in the hospital two nights ago with symptoms of a heart attack/congestive heart failure. Turns out my heart is fine but I have Thyroid Disease. Needless to say, I feel like crap, still. I couldn't get an appointment with a GP til next Thursday, so I won't have meds until at least Thursday night. I'm hoping I feel a little better by next week so I don't have to start school on a bad foot.

 

Good luck getting your medication levels sorted.  I was pretty lucky when diagnosed with hypothyroidism - it only took a couple of adjustments to get the levels right, but I know other people who have taken considerably longer to get the correct dose of thyroid hormone.  I hope your adjustment is easy, like mine was.  You should also feel better once you start the thyroid hormones - they made a HUGE difference in my energy level, my ability to regulate my temperature (although I'm still more sensitive to extremes than most people), my skin, my digestion, and I stopped losing so much hair all the time.  Best wishes to you.

[Do you have your Grad School Email yet?]

In Canada we don't have .edu email addresses, but we can still get student discounts and educational pricing on software, computers, etc.  We just normally have to go through the university to do so.

[2014 App Q&A Forum]

So, obviously I'll go first because I've got a question - are you using a resume or CV? Any particular reason for your choice?

 

I'm not familiar with SOPHAS, since I was only applying to Canadian schools, but doesn't the application itself specify what to submit?  Or do the universities not have that information available on their websites?

 

I had both a resume (2 pages), a short CV, and a longer CV.  I submitted whichever document the university and program in question asked for.

[How often do you meet with your adviser?]

The prof who supervised my fourth year honours thesis in nutrition/dietetics meets with all his grad students (MSc and PhD) once a week.  I know because at the beginning of each semester he would ask us to identify which days and times we were free, so he could book us all in weekly.  There were some weeks where he wouldn't meet with certain students (if there was nothing to discuss, no questions to answer, etc.) but I know he liked to keep in contact at least every second week.

[Fitness!]

Having a limited outlook on life is no reason to stereotype. Just because you go to a gym where people tend to subscribe to gender stereotypes, doesn't mean you are incapable of realising that this isn't necessarily the norm. Do you think it's helpful to perpetuate stereotypes or something?

 

Like I said, I am 3x national champion in powerlifting and I am a female. I can squat my boyfriend for reps, and I bench the same as him. I can clean my bodyweight. No need to make assumptions. Lifting is great for your health regardless of gender, and its ability to limit osteoporosis might even be particularly useful to females.

 

Well said (and those national championships are impressive).  I'm always educating the ladies in my group fitness classes about the importance of strength training, and that they shouldn't be afraid to go heavy.  I use periodization myself for weight training.  When I'm not seriously training for a running or triathlon event, I'll go heavy on the weights.    As my mileage ramps up when I'm training for a half or full marathon, or a triathlon, I'll go lower on the weights, or even just body weight exercises when I'm at my maximum mileage weeks.