MarineBluePsy

Yeah I already ruled out that option because 1) I'm not crafty and 2) it looked like a cheap short term solution when I want a nice long term solution. Its looking like I'm just going to have to buy more of them to wall mount since the portability aspect drives the cost up. My landlord doesn't care if I use nails or screws in the walls

Yes because I already jerry-rigged my own and it's a huge pain in the ass. I dunno the prices of them just seemed absurd. It'd be like clipboards for a hundred bucks.

Why are magnetic dry erase boards on wheels so expensive? Seriously amazon has them for a few hundred bucks and some are over a thousand. The thing isn't even bulletproof good grief.

Yes! Half the time the meetings are random announcements that could have been emailed or just to say "I'm available if you need something." As for the mentors I'm partly annoyed by not getting to choose them myself. Is it so crazy of me to know that I'm organized, punctual, and efficient and to prefer a mentor with a similar style? One of my mentors says "I don't know" so much I've quit bothering to ask questions and I was only asking organizational stuff.....where do I find document x, do I need to bring any materials to training y, etc.

I have no idea how many hours I'm putting in per day and am scared to count. I will say I'm doing my best to keep things confined to 5 days per week though. Anyone else inundated with meetings? I understand that there will be lab meetings, department meetings, and advisor meetings but then there's all these mentor (I asked for none of these mentors by the way, each first year is provided several as a so called courtesy) meetings and group project meetings and meetings to discuss topics I have zero interest and professor meetings. And mind you these meetings are mandatory and unstructured so they aren't an efficient use of my time and further piss me off. And when I say something about the lack of focus I'm the strange one. Really? We all just have oodles of time to be unproductive? I completely missed that memo.

I did something similar and turned in an assignment I was certain I did wrong because by the time I realized I screwed up (though not sure where) the deadline was looming.

Yeah I'm pretty much forcing myself to be social by making myself do one social thing each weekend. I didn't realize how burnout I was on having been friendless for so long because that was the case long before I relocated and has continued since starting my program. I figure having limited social interactions while not having friends is better than having no social interactions while not having friends. I had this exact same thought when I stumbled upon a campus event that talked about school sanctioned travel abroad opportunities. Basically interested students name countries they're interested in visiting and the school organizes a trip during a designated school break. The trip is a mix of tours, interacting with locals, learning about history/culture, engaging in something artistic, and trying the food. The trips cost between 3-5k and include a translator, airfare, lodging, and all the activities. You just pay for food, souvenirs, and unscheduled activities. I've never traveled so this sounded like a lot of fun, but even though it is open to all students grad students never go. So not only am I old for a grad student already, I might be the weird old grad student hanging with undergrads lol.

I figured out the problem! For some reason I just had the desktop Drive folder and not the taskbar icon thing that does the actual syncing. I had to uninstall it on my desktop and reinstall it to get it to work right. Now my desktop, laptop, and web version are all the same. As for Google Calendar? It worked fine while doing my Master's and just being in the working world, but now I've switched to Zoho. Way more folder options and reminder settings. So far the only drag is not having a task list.

Ok I see it syncing now and it better work because I'm sick of using the laptop all the time, My desktop is set up and its just so much better. But what a time suck! With all the money they make from advertisers they can make the damn thing work right!

Am exhausted....put together the furniture I've bought so far. Good grief my new mattress was so heavy and it hasn't even fully expanded! I'm not supposed to be doing any heavy lifting as it is and now I ache and just want to lay it in, but it'll take 24 hours to fully expand. *sigh* Ugh there's still so many boxes to unpack and things to clean. And I have piles of reading to do and papers to write. Why isn't this weekend a 3 day weekend?

Ok anyone really good with Google Drive? I use it to back up my files and previously I would just log in to my account and manually upload whatever I wanted to store in there which is a huge time suck. A few months ago someone on here mentioned you can set up a Drive folder on your desktop and just drop in files there to later access whenever you log into Drive from somewhere else. Great! So I set one up, but now every time I log into Drive's website from somewhere else none of the files I dropped in my desktop folder are there, which was the whole point in backing them up there. Is this how its supposed to work and I misunderstood or is there some setting I need to tinker with?

Well if you have a solid idea and are ready to start collecting data why wait? In my lab it is common to just work on someone else's projects the first 2 years and then start your own stuff in year 3. So basically the Master's thesis or project is derived from what you did for others in the lab. Then years 3 through 4 or 5 you're doing your own stuff which will lead to your dissertation. Since my lab isn't really doing anything I've been fleshing out my own ideas and have stumbled upon something I want to get started on now. If my advisor gets on board then I'll be right there with you, moving super fast lol. In my case the alternative would be settling for being behind. I'm guessing comps = comprehensive exams? I won't take mine until year 3 so for now I'm pretending they don't exist lol.

Some people aren't taught those kinds of manners, so you need to be clear that it costs money to operate your vehicle. It doesn't matter if you're both going to the same place. The weight of her body puts wear on the axles and affects the gas mileage or something. As for her unpacked boxes? Shove them in her room! Me too. Right now I'm sitting in my undies with my feet up totally procrastinating on all of my own unpacked boxes and furniture that needs to be put together. Guess who's complaining? Not one damn person lol.

So if you just let the dishes sit there does this chick not get that would lead to roaches, flies, and other nasty things in the house? I agree you need to be loud and clear with her here. If she's just a natural slob then you 2 need to split the cost of a housekeeper or you need to move. I don't see how you've put up with this as long as you have. And driving her to and from campus on top of that? Next time you're ready to leave get in your car and lock the doors. When she arrives crack the window and tell her she needs to chip in for gas or you're leaving without her. What is it the hippies used to say? Cash, grass, or ass.... no free rides. Or something like that.

Yay! Can you bus, bike, or rideshare in the meantime? Yay!

Are you sure the engine is toast? I drove a prior car for a few hundred miles with no oil and after servicing it I had it another couple of years.

@Effloresce How was the date/non-date?

It's amazing how similar our paths sound. I changed gears in psych, rode the unemployment train, and during last application season I wasn't really doing much research wise. Unlike you I've never published anything and had zero posters. Regardless this will be your year! Explaining the transition from experimental to clinical does seem relevant, but perhaps only as a brief mention so you have more time to focus on other things.

You're a nontraditional student right? One of the SOP workshops I attended last year talked about how nontraditional students can unintentionally present themselves as a bad risk by going on about undergrad, family background, struggles during gap years, etc. We were blatantly told no one cares, focus on what you're doing now. I should mention this particular workshop was aimed entirely at nontraditional students, whereas those I'd gone to in prior years weren't and said nothing like this. When I got home and took a look at my SOP I saw how I spent too much time on these very areas, and even though the early years helped me get where I am now what I have been doing in recent years was far more interesting. It was also suggested that we be more specific about what we might consider for dissertation research. Meaning instead of just stating a population you'd like to study for your dissertation research actually pose possible questions regarding that population to explore. You're not going to be held to it because your questions are expected to change as you go through your program, but it's a way to show you're thinking, if what you're interested in is studied by everyone or only a few, and if your questions can be answered in 5-6 years. I'm sure other things will pop into my head, but you're welcome to pm me and I'm happy to read your draft if you're in need of another set of eyes.

I just used thumbtacks, nails, or screws. Such holes are considered normal wear and tear and do not affect deposits. Actually I can't stand the people who hit snooze and think alarm makers should remove the feature entirely. Set the alarm for the time you want to get up and then get the f up! I can't stand the constant hitting of snooze because "I need a few more minutes" or "I'm still tired." No you're lazy! We're all tired, get over it!

I've been hearing good things about Command hooks and need to give them a try myself. As for what to wear I'd say comfortable shoes and light layers so you can adapt with the weather outdoors and the a/c indoors.

Just wanted to pop in and wish everyone luck with this application season. It's a ton of work and stress, but it is all worth it once an acceptance letter rolls in. @FacelessMage I strongly suspect your SOP is in need of a revamp. I'm not saying it is terrible as it is, but that there is room to go from great to excellent. I went through this last season and as sucky as it was to start all over with only a couple months before apps were due it was totally worth it. I also second the suggestion that you apply to more programs if you can at all generate the funds to do so. At the start of last season I was asked if I wanted to go somewhere or if I want to keep applying. Somewhere would mean casting a wider net and continue to apply would mean spending an absurd amount of money year after year. Now I'm somewhere and I couldn't wait to pitch all that app stuff in the trash lol.

Lol good point! I'll have the basics....bed, couch, desk, bookshelf, and chairs. Dining room table, end tables, dresser, etc can wait. Glad you're back! How stoked are you that Melissa McCarthy finally got off her high horse and will do a cameo in the Gilmore Girls revival? And how what could you possibly say about coffee mugs that would take 5 pages? Is she single? Maybe she wants to combine her studying with man hunting. Not a bad idea actually.

In a few weeks my furniture will arrive and my place will be half furnished! Then maybe this will feel less like I'm squatting lol.

I think a minor is a good time to explore anything that interests you and challenges you in ways your major may not. Any of those subjects you're pondering will do that, so there isn't really a wrong choice. Can you sit in on a lecture in each and then decide? You could also take an intro course in each and then decide, but that may not be cost effective depending on how you are paying for your education.