hippyscientist

With that last point, get in touch with your old doctors. I've found they've been incredibly helpful and have ensured all my records have made it to my new GP. So much paperwork to fill out though. I never realised that the vaccinations that are considered normal differ between countries (although that totally makes sense), so there's 2 or 3 I'm supposedly missing. Agh! I agree that it'll be easy to get along with people, I just don't do well with people forcing me to be nice - I get there in my own time. I definitely have a bee in my bonnet about international orientation because I'm fine with the regular grad school one! It also helps to have hobbies - pretty sure gym buddies will happen pretty quick. I need someone to spot my bench and give me a handout on max efforts lol!

See that sounds so much better! I'm struggling to see any positives at the minute but I'm sure there will be some, eventually lol! On the subject of schools and mistakes, I had an email from University of Florida outlining orientation there...ummmm nice of you to invite me but I did reject you about 3 months ago! Also, the admin "cc'd" everyone htey were sending the email to which is awful! I could look up every single accepted grad student (Only 500 on the list). Someone messed up. I also emailed the medical administrators because I had a few questions about vaccines, and basically got told "phone us on this number, or pop in and see us" despite repeatedly mentioning I was an international student out of the country. I guess we shouldn't underestimate the power of autopilot

Point proven. 90% of the marks I've lost in math exams have been stupid mistakes. Drives me up the wall.

I think errors like this are actually way more frequent in grad students and academics, and other "intellectual" professions. When we use our brains so much to focus on specific things, when we try to apply our brain to areas we aren't as default-ly used to, we mess up with the silly stuff because we don't need to use our brains as much and we power down too much. That's my theory. It's also why I like ridiculously trashy TV and young adult books and have to constantly check my mental math with a calculator because I know something is wrong about 2+2 = 5 but I just can't put my finger on what it is. All that to say, laugh it off and yay for being checked in. This international student orientation thing is pee-ing me off. From what I can gather a lot is about getting used to the culture, assimilating with English etc. It seems pretty useful if you're coming from China for example, but personally I cannot see the point in it. Yes, tell us the key bits of information (visa requirements, enrolment, special events etc) but don't treat me like I'm 5. I don't need someone holding my hand while I open a bank account or big groups of "new friends" to eat every meal with. (I hate organised activities if you couldn't gather). It irritates me that the whole 3 day orientation is mandatory, when at most the information necessary for assimilation if you're familiar with the US could probably be condensed into an afternoon. Okay, rant over.

That's okay, I'm on coffee 8...I might have developed a slight addiction. It's 2.15pm here, I've been in the office since 6.30am and I'm going a bit delerious (hence the grad cafe break). @maelia8 Try something like this at regular bed time If that particular video doesn't work (I'm not affiliated, just find they help!), there's plenty out there. I find I put it on on an ipad or something, turn it over so the screen is facing down and i cant see it and then I listen and it distracts me from not feeling tired. Might be worth a go if medication is your cup of tea.

This is pretty good advice but I'd maybe suggest something like Kalms which promotes sleep but is non-addictive. Normally, not good for regular travel, but if you're at the point of no return like @maelia8 I reckon a good suggestion! Maelia, Hope you get it sorted soon

Hey! I've done A LOT of long distance travel and have gotten pretty adept at conquering jet lag. Some of my tactics are a little late for you this trip, but I'll outline them anyway. 1. Before you travel, try to shift your regular schedule an hour or two in the direction you will be going. This effectively reduces the time difference. So if I (in the UK) am going to the east coast of the US, I might wake up an hour later than normal, eat lunch an hour later, go to bed an hour later. Obviously if your work isn't flexible this is less easy and not necessary but it does help. 2. Get a good nights sleep before flying. Ensure you're very hydrated. Eat healthy food (yes junk food is tempting but it makes your body feel like crap which is exacerbated when traveling). Move around on the plane. Avoid alcohol if possible. 3. As soon as you get on the plane, change your watch to the time zone you are headed to, then try to do everything to that time zone. This may be out of sync with the rest of the cabin but again, it's trying to familiarise your body with your new time zone. 4. Depending on when you arrive, eat a meal at the local time zone appropriate time. Go to bed at a normal time for that time zone. You'll feel groggy and non-responsive, maybe a bit hungover if you've landed early that day but push through. When you go to bed you should be exhausted. If you've jumped forward in time and it's meant to be bedtime but you're still very much awake, go through the routine of bed time. Have a shower/hot bath, brush your teeth, do your moisturizing/facial routine, tuck yourself up in bed with a book (avoid screens). If you find you're still not sleepy, try some meditation and if all else fails there are some excelllent youtube videos on meditating yourself to sleep (it's practically hypnosis). I find these very effective. 5. Set your alarm to wake you up at a reasonable time the following morning. Regardless of how you feel, get up, eat breakfast, do some light exercise (go for a walk, a swim, do some stretching, something to get the blood flowing) and set good intentions for the day. Remember to still drink lots of water - you'll be dehydrated from flying for a day or two afterwards. There is no easy fix for jetlag but these tips do help minimise its effects.

That's great news! Try and breathe and enjoy the feeling of not having the entire weight of the world on your shoulders.

I'm literally the most inflexible person ever - I just got told by the physio that half my knee issues come from ridiculously poor flexibility! That's what I love about yoga, it's not judgey (at least not at the places I've been...but then I have very thick skin too). I suggest working through the Yoga With Adriene 30 day yoga challenge or yoga camp. They're wonderful, get you in the habit of practicing regularly and she throws in easier days and more challenging ones, plus they're designed for beginners.

You should have space. I am doing it down the side of my bed literally 2 feet by 6 feet. I can't do a lot of the side to side stuff but it's enough to get a relatively good practice in.

I DON'T NEED SURGERY! I don't need an MRI! Another 6-8 weeks and I might be functional again yay yay yay yay yay yay yay. Plus something clicked on the project. I'm doing a little happy dance around the office.

I have a mat at home and while very cramped provides enough space to get in a practice when I feel like I'm going to combust. I use youtube videos if I want a guided practice - last night I used https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gDQNqZMv1V0 Davids videos are great as they have more of a meditative element, whereas if I just need a good stretch I'll go for something like Yoga with Adriene (https://www.youtube.com/user/yogawithadriene). Totally understanding that feeling about it all setting in. Like you're really excited but there's a little quiet doubt that's saying "are you sure?".

@Cat_Robutt nope. no. nope. I'm in denial. It's not halfway through June I have WAY too much stuff to do in the little time left. Thanks for the commiserations about the workspace, it's always noisy, just today was much noisier than normal even my noise cancelling headphones couldn't cope. @marycaryne happy anniversary for 10 days time! Insurance is one of those things that is necessary but everyone forgets about. So freaking important. You never know when you might need it. Also @sjoh197 I'd have been so pissed at that! Yoga is amazing. I came home uber stressed and I just did a 45 minute practice and feel like a new person. Nothing can stop me

I know my new university has a tie-in with Liberty Mutual for discounted insurance, and that's what I'll be going for. Check and see if your new school has affiliations - do they have a credit union with ties? (I'm writing this generally, I see you've already mentioned what Harvard suggest). When you're looking at it you need to consider the cost it would be to replace everything (furniture, electronics, clothes, cooking stuff, DVDs, etc). What do you want covered? Basic insurance? More comprehensive? My tip is to write a rough list of everything you own & would want covered and guesstimate the overall cost. Shop around, convenience is good but also customer service is vital. Do you want to bulk it with car insurance for example? Multiple insurance plans with the same company normally reduces overall cost. Hope that helps a little bit.

Deviating away from the tragedies this past week. Why on why would you think it's a good idea to put up and down scaffolding inside a building where we are working?! My office layout is open plan, with two storeys surrounding an open foyer. The scaffolding is in the foyer and the builders have the radio on, clonking around with the scaffolding pieces and yelling at each other. It is SO distracting. Add in the other PhD students standing around gossiping and I have literally no peace and quiet to work in right now. My advisor is on bed rest and pretty ill, so I'm being supervised almost entirely via email from my co-supervisor who is 7 hours ahead of me. Confusing and exhausting doesn't begin to describe it. Good news though, my health insurance covers the MRI I have to have which hopefully means I might get a clearer picture on the injury as the physiotherapist isn't confident in his initial diagnosis. To cope with noise and supervisor and general life stress I bought double stuff oreos for like a dollar. Thank god for junk food.

Yikes. Thanks for informing I refuse to make political commentary on the internet, but these occurences sadden me no end. I cannot imagine the community loss, not to mention those who were family and friends. It's hard enough when you lose one person close to you, but so many people at once must cripple you with grief.

What happened in Chicago?

I'm really struggling with pushing through this last month of work. I cannot for the life of me keep my concentration, getting wound up about the smallest things and I just want to be done now. I'm partially seeing progress but not enough to justify slacking. I'm just so done with where I live, I hate it. I hate my housemate, I hate the town, I hate the crappy bed, I hate the miserable weather, I hate all of it and I want to leave now.

Vacuum's I'm a huge fan of the dyson v6. It's a little on the pricier end but works really well (in my experience). I'll be purchasing one for my apartment.

theyre so cute!

Can I just say you need a bit of TLC?? Yes that's a lot of crazy going on and it's no wonder you're feeling overwhelmed, I think most people in their right minds would be. It sounds like you're taking the necessary steps to ease your mind (lawyer, estate attorney) but, find the good! You're alive, the other party has insurance, you have some support from crazy nerds on the internet. Would your program possibly push your start date by 6 months? I know mine is doing that for a few people and it might give you the time to sort some stuff out? Might be worth an investigation? Taco Bell - I've never had one. I feel like I should! @rhombusbombus if you need to escape you're welcome at mine!

As my mom said the other night, she can see me being a global person. Keep my UK citizenship but just live in many countries, using my US PhD to show global education. I can agree with her. The original plan was to settle in the US after my PhD and that might still happen but if I got a post-doc opportunity in Australia, I would probably take it. I think global is a very valid alternative.

We're here to vent to. I know I'm lucky with my mom and I'm so grateful for her. It does help to vent just let it all out. Doesn't matter how silly or monumentous the issue, having a good old cry and rant is awesome at times. You said it - you're exhausted and fed up. Classic burnout symptoms. Try to take some time to look after you (I know sometimes easier said than done). Have a bubble bath, treat yourself to a manicure (if that's your sort of thing), lock yourself in the bathroom and cry in the shower while listening to Celine Dion.... you know? Just allow yourself to feel crap. Is there someone you feel comfortable enough to go to and just ask them to be a shoulder? Metaphorically and/or actually. We all know on here that it's not luck to get into grad school - we've all worked our butts off for this opportunity and know htat the work isn't going to stop there. That's okay. It's normal to feel like this. Just try to not let it consume you. Find that sliver of good in the crap. Sorry I have no idea if this is helping but it's the stuff I've been concentrating on recently to get through this really stressful bit (honestly I've aged about 10 years in the past month - I've got grey hair and I'm 24!!!). Research is still off track but it's turned the corner into getting back on track. We'll see. I'm not going to be happy until I've got my data but I allowed a small celebration last night. I've got a conference tomorrow and a lot of travelling to do between now and then. Just time - I need a time turner.

Oh wow, I'm so glad you wrote this. I ended up having a meltdown on the phone with my mom the other day because life is just too much. Give yourself a night or two of being a kid and eating junk food and just having that tantrum! Then pick yourself up and resume responsibility. Other than that I have very little advice, except sympathy, I'm in the same boat and so *hugs*. Last night I hit that wall so I bought a childrens ice cream from the ice cream van and went and played in the park. I finally got approval to move onto the next bit of my research! This is going to take ages too but I'm over the worst anality (I hope). I'm also really looking forward to the days where waking up at 5.30am isn't considered normal. 6.30 sure no problem, but 5.30 is a little absurd.

There's some excellent suggestions already given but I'd throw in yoga really helps my mind switch off and to destress from the day. It might take a while to learn to empty your head but I find giving myself 45 minutes at some point during the day to stretch and be mindful and only in the present really helps. Exercise in general is wonderful, but not always possible - e.g. if you're injured. I agree that reading is great but I find my mind drifts a lot when watching TV. You know you best. If you're on a hike and find your mind starts drifting, bring it back to the present. Focus on the colour of the leaves, or the rhythm of your breath or the noise of the insects or something. Acknowledge the thoughts that pop into your head but say to them "this is not the time for you to occupy my head. This is me time." and return to focusing on the thing in the present. If you can get some social interaction, that's wonderful but sometimes you can just end up talking about research. So if you hang out, maybe allocate 20 mins for research venting then make it an off-limits conversation. Just a few suggestions that I've found really helpful. Hopefully there's something on this thread that works for you