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dianina5

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Everything posted by dianina5

  1. I don't think that's true. Valerian is plant-derived. Valium is a benzo. From a quick google search, I found that they are not related, although they affect the same chemicals in your brain. Valerian isn't addictive. The reason I mentioned Kavinace and Valerian is because they are not addictive. I know the benzos are highly addictive and shouldn't be used for any extended period of time, especially if a person may be prone to addiction. For depression, St. John's Wart and 5-HTP are common, although I don't know how effective they are. As I've mentioned, you should always talk to your doctor about taking any type of meds, herbal or synthetic, because as red_crayons said, mixes can lead to very bad things. As exercise and food - you don't have to pay a lot to eat healthy, and you certainly can use the gym at the college you go to. They're generally either very cheap or free with your student tuition. What I mean by eating healthy is possibly cooking, not eating junkfood, eating lean meats and appropriate portion sizes. It's actually cheaper to eat healthy. If you choose to go out to eat, I think Subway is an awesome alternative. Again, you have to watch what you take, though. I was also told that liquid is vital for brain function. You have to drink a lot. At least 8 glasses a day (yes, I'm sure you've heard this). Putting pressure on yourself not to think about will produce the opposite effect. You just have to learn to live with it and react to it like you would to a headache. It's difficult, but you desensitize yourself to it that way. Good luck
  2. For the first semester (and all subsequent ones), you should make sure that no matter what, you are getting enough sleep and eating healthy foods. Regular exercise is also incredibly beneficial. Mental problems often come on or get worse when your body is not getting proper care. The other thing is course load. Try not to take on more than you can chew. First semester is rough because you're taking in much more than just your courses and research. I'm not sure you should be on meds regularly if you get random panic attacks. I have known people who take anti-anxiety meds as needed and it works out fine for them. One non-addictive natural anti-panic attack remedy is something called Kavinace. Supposedly it's safe even for children. It's a GABA support, which is different from many other meds that affect seratonin levels. Another one is valerian root. My family swears by it and often take it when they're having anxiety problems. Never did much for me, though. I'd talk with a doctor before taking anything into your system, however, even if it's a dinky supplement. Don't worry about having panic attacks while you're teaching. You might get a research assistantship in one case. In the case of a teaching assistantship, you're not always actually teaching. Some TAs are just graders and some hold office hours in case students come in to get help. If you are in a classroom full of students and have a panic attack, just excuse yourself for a few minutes when you feel it coming on, go outside, and get some air. The students won't mind the break and you'll get a chance to calm down. The key is to not fight it. If you're anxious about it not going away or about it coming on, that just fuels it. You kind of have to just accept the fact that you're having one and know that it will go away just like the others went away. Many panic attacks don't have clear triggers so it's tough to avoid them. You just have to learn to deal with them when they come and not get scared (easier said than done). As for moving to a new city without your support systems - that is rough. I think everyone is nervous about that. Try your best. You're never really without support - there's always the phone, the internet and webcams. It might help to have a car so you don't feel trapped where ever it is you go. Good luck!
  3. Hi everyone, I'm applying for PhD programs in computer science. Two schools I'm looking into right now are Penn State and Lehigh. I know Penn State has a great reputation, but I find many more research opportunities that I am interested in at Lehigh. Does anyone know how Lehigh even ranks for computer science (in particular, computer vision/robotics/AI)? I can't find much data. What is the overall impression people have of Lehigh? Same questions for Penn State. Thanks and good luck to everyone
  4. Hey. I feel for you. Many people say it's depression, anxiety, etc, but those are so general. I'm not an expert, but I see hints of OCD rearing its ugly head. Your obsession seems to be your academic reputation, and your compulsion is the constant checking that you're doing. OCD is an anxiety disorder (the obsession creates anxiety and the checking provides reassurance, helping ease the anxiety TEMPORARILY). Not a fun thing to have. There is something called purely obsessional OCD, where there isn't so much compulsion, but you have obsessive thoughts. Either way, the treatment for it is exposure and response prevention. Do NOT reassure yourself. Live with the uncertainty of possibly having plagiarized or published incorrect results. As anxious as that makes you feel, tell yourself that you will not check yourself and that you'll just have to live with that anxiety. Maybe you DID plagiarize and maybe your research is complete nonsense. Oh well, you'll just have to live with that. It's easier said than done, but the anxiety will eventually subside once you kind of ignore it for long enough (trick is not to focus on it, asking if it's gone yet...just let it be there and observe it...kind of like a meditation technique). My interpretation could be incorrect, but it's something to talk about with a good therapist. Many of them don't think of OCD when confronted with these types of problems. Definitely see a professional ASAP. These things only get worse the longer you have them. Good luck. Oh, and regarding suicide - don't do it. We need smart people like you in this world. You wouldn't believe how many people out there are complete morons.
  5. Hi everyone, I'm applying for PhD programs in computer science. Two schools I'm looking into right now are Penn State and Lehigh. I know Penn State has a great reputation, but I find many more research opportunities that I am interested in at Lehigh. Does anyone know how Lehigh even ranks for computer science (in particular, computer vision/robotics/AI)? I can't find much data. What is the overall impression people have of Lehigh? Same question for Penn State. Thanks
  6. I agree with babaloo. An update on my similar situation: one of the schools I notified has already accepted my husband (they said they were about to accept him anyway and hadn't finished finalizing the financial offer, so I ended up hearing first from them). The other scheduled an interview with him, saying that his research and application looked very interesting. It gets the person's name on the radar and, as babaloo said, might tip the chances in your SO's favor. Since you're already accepted, they are definitely interested in you. Keep in mind that they chose you over many other people. I don't think they would retract that unless you insult them in some way. I stated that my husband and I wanted to have our applications evaluated based on our own merit and that my email's purpose is in no way an attempt to bargain. I just wanted to ask about the status of his application so that I could know my options, since I would not be able to attend without him and they do want to know what my decision is. Of course, I worded it much better and more carefully. Good luck!
  7. I'm in a similar situation right now. Would you reject the school is she did not get accepted or are you willing to do a long-distance thing? I am not willing to do long-distance since I'm essentially married. I sent the schools I got accepted to a letter explaining the situation. One school replied thanking me for telling them the situation and that they will make a decision on my husband's application soon. I was a little nervous to send out that letter because it might be possible for your admission to be retracted, but I already made my choice (no long-distance), so I took the risk. I think as long as you word it well, it should be ok. I'm no expert, though. Just sharing my experience. As for Master's vs. PhD programs: As far as I know, PhD programs have earlier deadlines than Master's programs, so I would imagine that Master's students hear from the schools later than PhD's. I think it's a matter of funding as well - PhD students are first choice for funding and I have a feeling they wait to see if there is anything left before sending out Master's decisions. From what I understand, however, it is much easier to get into a Master's program than into a PhD program. I believe it's due to funding, since PhDs basically need to be financed while Masters fork over their own money. Good luck and congrats on getting into your one of your top choices!
  8. I guess everyone thinks waiting to get acceptances is the best choice then. I know what you mean about it being tough and completely respect your decisions with your fiance, kahlan_amnell. I had a long distance relationship with my husband (boyfriend at that point) back in undergrad and really didn't like the experience. We both decided that it's not the best option for us at this point in our lives. I also know what you mean about safety schools, but we purposely applied to *really* crappy ones. I'd be surprised if I didn't get accepted because I am a woman applying to a science field with a really good gpa, 2 related bachelor's degrees, and a very high math score on the GRE. My only disadvantages are lack of research experience (I have a ton of teaching experience, though) and the fact that my undergraduate institution could have been better. These credentials should get me into schools ranked 200 on the list, though. Sigh. Not much hope for the better ones, though. strokeofmidnight, that's a good point. I didn't think of waiting a year to reapply. Might I ask how you guys are surviving, money-wise? Are you working while he's in school? Just an update: I got acceptances to two schools today. They were two safety schools (very poorly ranked), so I was expecting to get in. My husband didn't hear from them yet. I'm also going to two interviews in the coming week and managed to get his name on their radar, so he got invited to get interviewed too. One of those schools is pretty good, so interviews there are already a good sign. He had a phone interview with a professor who was ready to give him an offer. I, on the other hand, am terrible at interviews, so I'm pretty nervous. I'm sitting here studying the professors and learning their names and faces. I want this whole thing to be over. good luck to both of you! Thanks for your advice.
  9. haha. Just remember that checking your mail and this site 10 times a day will not get you responses any faster. It's too bad I still have trouble with taking my own advice ;-)
  10. I was wondering if anyone had any advice on this issue. My husband and I are both applying to PhD programs in the same area (though luckily not in the same subfield). We applied to exactly the same schools and will only go if either the school takes both of us, or the two schools we are accepted to are in the same vicinity (although there are only two possibilities for this). Long-distance marriage is not something we are willing to do. The problem is, when do we tell the graduate schools that? One of my close professors advised me to say nothing until either of us get an acceptance letter. She says that this will allow the accepted person to bargain to try to get the other one in since the school has already shown interest. However, I see a problem with this method. Say a school has funding and space for 10 students and one happens to be me/husband. The other 9 spaces will be filled and the school wouldn't have the power to accommodate us even if it wanted to. We wouldn't have given them enough notice. On the other hand, if we tell them during the interviews (ie: before admission), I worry that they won't take either of us just to avoid the headache. Why would an admissions committee want to worry about finding space for two students, one who might possibly not be a good fit for them, when they can get two others who don't have any restrictions? I don't want to shoot myself in the foot before I am even considered. Then again, giving them advance notice would allow them time to figure out how to accommodate us. I'm hoping that we both just get in on our own merit and this wouldn't be a problem. However, we both come from a crappy school and have unimpressive research backgrounds compared to those of other students. I would imagine one of us getting in would be a joyous event. Two is probably pushing it. We didn't apply to any immensely prestigious schools for this reason, but we still need to tell them something at some point. Any experience with this situation? I have seen that some people end up ending their relationships or doing the long-distance thing, but that is not an option for us. I figure in the worst case, we'll both go to our safety school to which we will almost surely be accepted since it's on the bottom of the rankings list. Neither of us really wants to go there, however.
  11. dianina5

    Interviews

    Thank you . That was really helpful.
  12. dianina5

    Interviews

    Hi everyone, Has anyone had any graduate school interview experience? I've been invited to an open-house/recruitment weekend event by one school and got an email from another asking me to arrange a time to "come visit the department." I have no idea what to expect and have almost no interview experience. Any advice, experiences, or comments would be GREATLY appreciated. Thanks and good luck to everyone.
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