Adelaide9216

So, wish you go to this SCARY phase this year and pass it very well!

I'll be applying for the first time.

I passed the written portion. I have the presentation left ? 

Hello, I submitted my comprehensive exam (written portion) this week. I am both nervous and relieved. Let's hope I pass and will be allowed to go to oral defense! 

If you're a POC grad student, I highly recommend buying this book: The Black Academic Guide to Winning Tenure Without Losing your Soul.
It's mostly for black academics, but a lot of it can be applicable to other POC. 

Hello, I have decided to do an article-based thesis. It's going to help me to get published.

I just took my general comprehensive exam a few weeks ago and my oral defense is coming up in a week.  The written portion of the exam was pretty tough and I am more confident about the first question compared to the second. I'm really nervous about the oral defense and I'm planning on writing out what I would've changed if I could go back, but I'm not sure if that's enough. It'd be great if I could have the writing center take a look to see if my argument answered the questions/overall clarity but I'm not sure that it's allowed. Does anyone have any other tips to prepare?
 

I would recommend that instead of writing out what you would have changed, you make a list of five to nine bullet points. I would tilt the balance towards what you would add rather than what you would change. During the exam itself, I would focus on the former and leave the latter category in reserve in case your examiners take the conversation in that direction.
Also, I would go into the exam with printed out copies of your written replies. I suggest that if you mark up one copy, you either have a second set of copies that are clean or that you write your comments on the back of the previous page. (The purpose of having clean text is in case an examiner wants to talk about a specific page -- it will be easier to find that page if it has no marking on it.)
I recommend that, if possible, you focus on developing a back up plan for your technology (if the oral exam is to be conducted remotely). I also suggest that you figure out how your body will respond as the exam progresses. Do you want to run the AC before the exam so you can stay cool during the discussion? Do you want to wear layered clothing that you can shed if you start to get nervous? Do you want to adjust your eating and sleep schedule so that you don't have that "I shouldn't have had that third espresso moment?"
Please keep in mind that in the moment, comprehensive exams are extraordinarily stressful. As I've said a few times, for me, quals were more stressful than having a loaded hand gun pointed at my face. But if one stops and thinks about it, the exams are not life threatening. No one is going to shoot you in the face. Just focus on doing the best you can so that you can pass.

(A tip. If you find that, during the course of the exam, the discussion becomes increasingly intense, it may be a sign that you're actually doing well and the members of the committee want to see how high you can jump intellectually.)

Hello, I have decided to do an article-based thesis. It's going to help me to get published.

This is going to sound silly, but I've always loved just "chilling" in school supplies stores (i.e. Staples). It reminds me of the time when I was a kid and my mom brought my sisters and I to buy our school supplies before the academic year would start. I've always loved back-to-school season because of that reason. I really enjoy being in an academic/learning institution in general so I guess it reminds me of that as well.

I just wanted to start a form for black applicants and grad students which advice on different programs, where we are going, and climate!

Just learned the news today. I am still in shock. I did not expect to fail, even if I knew my thesis was not perfect. I was expecting a pass with revisions. Even my supervisor was not worried for me (she told me so yesterday). I just need emotional support right now. I need not to let my emotions get to me. I have won a major scholarship for my doctoral studies starting in September, so I need to resubmit by August. Otherwise, I am screwed. If I fail a second time, I won't graduate which means that my admission and scholarship offers will be revoked from me. 
 
 
 

Congrats everyone, and for those who didn't move on, we will try again next year!

I have a conspiracy that this scholarship is designed to torture already mentally unstable grad students. 

Yeah, they literally tweeted about a book 10 mins ago... so someone's operating there lol

please do it

I swear that at the webinar they said that while they have not contacted unsuccessful applications in the past, this year they would. The FAQ may have been written earlier, or they changed their minds. I wouldn't be surprised if they take an extra day or two to finalize their list. Perhaps they underestimated the amount of time it would take to review potentially over one thousand applications. Previously, they received a small handful. They're also using new software and I'm sure the pandemic might throw a wrench in the timeline plans. I wouldn't worry too much if we don't hear tonight. Good luck everyone!

lol screenshot?

It closes at 6pm EST.

Maximum review score: 93
Minimum review score: 90
Absolute score difference: 3
Average review score: 92

It,s not reciprocal. Just like I had assumed. I hate this. I hate being in love, everytime it just destroys my whole spirit

I just told a man with whom I've been friends for the last four years that I have feelings for him. I haven't gotten his answer back, but I'm sure it won't be the one I am hoping for. I'm so ridiculous, I don't even know why I put myself through this, everytime it's the same negative result no matter who I declare myself to. I'm sure this is going to ruin our friendship, on top of it.
I'm an idiot. I hate this
 

Hello,
This is a bit of a personal/off-topic thread.
I've often been told that as a woman of color in graduate school, it will be harder for me to find a partner. Because the things that I represent don't fit the image that most people have of black women. And yes, I have to admit that I have been single my entire life. I am about to turn 25 in a month and I haven't been successful in my romantic life in the same way that I  am perceived to be in my professional/academic life. I have never been in a committed relationship with anyone. But I am still young, so I try to remain hopeful but as I see all of my friends getting married, engaged or having children, I would be lying if I said that I am starting to lose hope. Even if I am truly passionate about my career and the projects I am involved in, I don't want my life to be only that.
A friend of mine was telling me the other day that all the work that I do, the activism that I am involved in outside of the classroom and the media attention that I get might make it difficult for a man to approach me because I don't "fit" in. The thing is that I don't want to change the things that I am involved in because they make me happy and keep me grounded and sane. But I get these kinds of reflections from friends and adults since my teenage years. It's starting to hurt to get this feeling that I have to choose between being myself and finding a partner. I just want someone who accepts me as I am and with whom I can have interesting conversations with but it seems to be too much to ask.
Do you think that finding love is harder for people pursuing graduate studies or with graduate diplomas, especially if they are part of a minority group? Do you think the whole idea of a woman being successful makes it harder to her to find a partner?
I am happy in my life and I have never been happier but yes, sometimes, I do feel some kind of void in the sense that I fear to fail my personal life. I am able to manage that fear by trying to focus on the things that I already have in my life, and yes, I do have a lot already and I recognize that with great humility. And I try to cherish that because nothing can be taken for granted. I'm in a good place in my life and it has not always been the case. However, I'm afraid of turning into the kind of unattached woman who just works and has her career for sole purpose in her life. 
 

Still no news, eh? 

This wait is destroying me