MoJingly

And Google Scholar Alert, too. If you give a few keywords, it will email you new articles every few days that might be relevant. I've gotten some that are irrelevant, but many more that are important/good to know about.

That's so good to hear! I feel like I'm listening to a different language sometimes (especially since I got my undergrad degree in music, I feel way behind!) But at least it is getting easier! Here's to working hard and having it pay off

Thanks for the advice guys!

I've always been curious about this. I know that science is, in part, a competition. When you choose a topic you have to be sure that it hasn't already been studied and that it is going to somehow benefit the field and your career. I've been sitting here in lab for the past week trying to read papers and build my knowledge base. But there are SO MANY. And I feel like it will never end. How is it that researchers have the time and energy to stay in touch with all the developments/people in their fields? Especially when they are inundated with their own research responsibilities? I'm sure that once I work hard enough to get myself 'up-to-date' in my field it will be easier, but as of right now, I feel like I am climbing an impossible mountain. Thanks for the thoughts, as always, friends!

Totally agreed on this one. This is a big decision, and emails might not suffice.

Hmmm... do you think the title of the website will encourage negative comments? If, for example, I loved my research adviser, I'm not sure I would go to this website.

"Prospies" ...

Hi Stephanie, Sorry to hear of all these troubles. As far as phrasing the email is concerned, I wouldn't worry too much. If the grad program director had already been working with you to rearrange your schedule she probably already understands the severity of your situation. Don't worry about whether or not they will get "sick of dealing with you." If they do, then move on. Your life and health are more important than grad school, even though it might not always seem like it. Be sure to express how thankful you are that they have been accommodating thus far, but say that the severity of your situation would just not allow for you to continue productively. I would approach it less as a "I can't do it" situation and more as a "you deserve the best and full attention from your students" situation. If you make it more about THEM (since they are paying you) I don't think you will have a problem. "Your school has been so supportive and accommodating, and I thank you for your encouragement. I believe you deserve the best from each of your students and I do not feel I can perform at my peak right now due to these life events. I look forward to coming back and giving this program the attention it deserves." (That's not great, but... something like that) Good luck!

If the only reason you would want to join is to build your CV, don't do it. Really, you shouldn't do things simply to add them to your CV... it will make you miserable! If, however, you WANT to join, go for it. (and hopefully you do, seeing as how you got into grad school for a reason )

I wouldn't see anything unethical in that at all. It's not graceful, and might make it a little harder to sell yourself to the new adcomm, but it's not unethical. Also, *their PhD program (sorry, I'm a little OCD)

Your kids will either love or hate lab work in the end... I bet they'll love it.

I was just about to ask this question, so I'm glad somebody already did! I think I have my system figured out. I'm going to use Mendeley, but then print out the articles that are either really important or hard for me to grasp (since it's easier to get info off a physical copy for me). Then, in Mendeley, I'm going to make a note that I printed this article, and then I'm going to make a note of where I stored it. (For example, the paper I just printed is going to go in the "Rotation #1" binder).

See, you need to live close enough that you can stop into lab quickly but far enough away that you feel you can escape. I live about 1.5 miles away, but I have a large yard covered in huge trees, so it kind of feels like a refuge

I just downloaded Mendeley, and after messing around for a few minutes, I feel like it's going to really simplify my life. I really like its interface. I read about it on the "What software do you find indispensable" thread.

This has nothing to do with your post (even though I agree with it), but I LOVE that picture.

Application season is a trying time! What helped me is writing every time I got excited about what I want to do. You can't force it. Write down WHATEVER you think. You're probably going to go through draft after draft anyway The more you get down on paper, the more you have to look back at and craft you application with.

Nope! On purpose! I thought that was ironic... you know, voting down the post of you saying, "I want to be able to vote down posts."

It felt weird voting you down!.... but I figured you could take one for the team ;-)

I was able to vote that post down...

Haha. It makes a little sense. I did my undergrad in music with thoughts of continuing to medical school. Then after I began thinking about continuing with music, I got tendinitis in my arm and couldn't play anymore. So now, after a quick stop at a postbacc premed program to pick up some science courses, I am in a PhD program in pathology studying musculoskeletal injury. I've been pretty active in the field of Performing Arts Medicine, which works to prevent injuries like mine to musicians, and I'm interested in applying what I learn in my research to music pedagogy. (That's the condensed version). It's been a fun trip!

I did my undergrad in music, and now I'm in a grad program in pathology ;-)

Aw man, so much negativity. Try not to focus on this things you don't like. Laugh it off, move on. I haven't encountered anything displeasing enough to write about yet.